An abstract acrylic painting with thick, textured brushstrokes in shades of blue, teal, purple, and yellow. There are small highlights of bright orange. The colors are layered and blended, with some areas showing a dark blue underpainting. The overall composition is dynamic and full of movement.

Art RX: Highlights from the Museum’s Art Heals Program

Education Corridor

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Art Heals is an interdisciplinary program developed by the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA) at the University of Oregon. Rooted in the belief that creative expression and engagement with art support mental, emotional, and physical well-being,Art Heals brings together museum education, health humanities, and arts-based practices to offer inclusive, accessible experiences that foster reflection, connection, and healing. Through thoughtfully facilitated workshops, participants engage in close looking, mindful discussion, and hands-on creative exploration.

The title Art RX draws from the language of medicine, suggesting art as a prescription, one that can ease stress, foster resilience, and support holistic healing. Just as a prescription is tailored to support health, this exhibition highlights how art can be personally meaningful, restorative, and transformative.

Art Heals serves diverse audiences both locally and across the state of Oregon. This exhibition features artwork created by both Art Heals teaching artists and program participants, highlighting the wide-reaching impact of the program. It includes artwork from children with disabilities participating in the VSA Arts Access program; adults living with memory loss and their care partners in the Reflections and Connections program; university students in Decompress with Art workshops; student-athletes from the Art of the Athlete — Summer Bridge Program; cancer survivors supported by the Pastega Regional Cancer Resource Center and the Transformation Cancer Support Group through Samaritan Health Services; participants in Creative Wellness Sessions at Oregon Health & Science University; and stroke survivors and caregivers from the Stroke Survivors and Caregiver Support Group at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.

Although participants come from diverse backgrounds spanning a wide range of ages, life experiences, and personal health journeys, they are united by a common belief: that art has the power to heal. Whether navigating the stress of daily life, managing anxiety, coping with illness, or adjusting to significant life changes, individuals find comfort, strength, and connection through creative expression.

Art Heals offers more than just an outlet for creativity. It provides a safe, supportive space where people can pause, reflect, and care for themselves. Through guided art-making sessions and meaningful engagement, participants are invited to explore their emotions, share their stories, and reconnect with their inner resilience. By fostering this sense of community and emotional release, Art Heals empowers individuals to reclaim a sense of control, find peace in the present moment, and experience the transformative power of art.

We are deeply grateful to the members of our Art Heals team for their commitment to improving well-being through the arts: Dr. Elizabeth Lahti, Dr. Grace Haynes, Dr. Anna Looney, Stephanie Hagerty, Karla Chambers, Keith Smith, Emily McAllister, Betsy Wolfston, and Holly Almond.

The Art Heals program is generously funded by the Tykeson Family Foundation.

A vibrant, vertical painting of a rooster. The rooster's body is a mix of bright yellow and orange, with long, flowing brushstrokes that create a sense of movement. The head, comb, and wattle are a solid red. The background is a stark contrast of deep blue and bright turquoise, with broad, sweeping strokes that mimic the feathers. The artist's signature is in the bottom right corner.
A portrait painting on a pink canvas. At the top, the word "FAITH" is painted in blue block letters. The letters for "FEAR" are stacked vertically on the left side, also in blue. In the center is a portrait of a person's face with a brown complexion, a soft gaze, and a slight frown. The face is surrounded by a white halo, with a light pink ring around it, all set against a solid pink background.
An abstract drawing and watercolor painting on a white sheet of paper. The piece is dominated by bold, expressive marks in red, pink, and black. There are large, loose watercolor washes in various shades of red. Overlaid on top are thick, squiggly lines drawn in black and red crayon or pastel. Several dark gray splotches and drips of watercolor run vertically down the page. The phrase "fiona apple" is written in black script at the bottom, along with a signature.
A multi-layered mixed media collage. The background includes a large image of a forest with green leaves, a fiery scene with a large fire, and a tiled floor. There are also cutouts of a teal door and a purple flower. A stylized owl with bright, colorful feathers is pasted at the top. A realistic barn owl stands at the bottom right. A yellow thought bubble contains the quote, "If we want to make meaning, we need to make art. As long as we're creating, we're cultivating meaning." The word "TRANSFORM" is at the top left, with white text on a green background.
A drawing on black paper. A stylized face is shown, with a yellow head and white, pointed ears that resemble a cat or a rabbit. The face has large, wide eyes with brown irises and a white outer ring. The mouth is a jagged, white line. Below the yellow mask, the lower part of the face is brown, with several white lines resembling tears. The figure wears a ruffled, spiky collar drawn with white lines. The artist's signature and the year '2025' are in the bottom right corner.
A realistic painting of a white pigeon on a white background. The pigeon is depicted from a side view, with its head turned slightly to look forward. The painting is done with fluid, brownish-gray washes and delicate black lines, giving it a soft, ethereal quality. The tail feathers are distinct and fan out slightly.
A small, square abstract painting with a highly textured surface. The painting is a patchwork of colors, including vibrant red, blue, green, yellow, and orange, with some white and metallic silver. The colors are applied in large, overlapping circular and splotchy shapes. The texture suggests a stippling technique, with many small, raised dots of paint.
A child-like drawing on a white piece of paper. The top of the drawing features a multicolored abstract shape with splotches of blue, green, red, and yellow, resembling a cloud or a sky. Below this, there are scribbled purple and dark green lines, with a blue line representing a waterfall. A small yellow sun is drawn to the right. At the bottom, a small brown house with a chimney is shown with a wisp of smoke coming out. Two stick figures are near the house. There are three red plus signs to the right of the house.
An abstract acrylic painting on a canvas with a bright, textured surface. The background is a mix of various shades of blue and teal, with some dark green. Over the background, there are numerous small splatters and drips of red and pink paint. The texture appears coarse, with some areas of thicker paint application.
A mixed-media painting featuring two human face profiles facing each other. The profiles are outlined in thin black lines against a mottled, golden background with a metallic sheen. The inside of each profile is filled with a complex collage of textures and colors, including abstract shapes, patterns, and what appear to be floral or leaf motifs. The left profile has more green and turquoise, while the right has deep reds and browns. The word "love" is written twice in script near the bottom center, and a signature is in the bottom right corner.