The Arts for Optimal Health Program provides art therapy services through sponsored projects through private, local, state, and federal partnerships which are assessed by program evaluation.
Healing Virginia Beach - An Expressive Arts Project at MOCA (Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art)
The EVMS Healing VB: An Expressive Arts Project at MOCA (Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, VA) was launched in October 2019. The unique partnership provided EVMS art therapists, Geoffrey Thompson, PhD, LPAT, ATR-BC and Lisa Thomas, MS, Resident in Counseling, ATR-P with space in the community to facilitate Healing VB, assisting individuals directly and indirectly impacted by the mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Courthouse on May 31, 2019.
The aim of the community expressive arts sessions is to make art and share experiences related to the mass shooting and community violence in a safe space facilitated by professionals who are trained to work with the community and trauma. Sessions are usually held on the last Monday of each month.
The funding for this project ended in January 2021, participants were encouraged to continue art making practices for coping and linked to other community supports. The Healing VB Project would not be possible without the generous gifts from donors in the community.
