HOW HEALING ART TOGETHER STARTED: JANINE & SHANNAN’S STORY

“The life and essence of art—whether it be painting, music, or dance—lies in expressing through a wellspring of emotion the universal realm of the human spirit. It is a melding of the individual and the universal. That is why great art reaches out beyond ethnic and national barriers to move people all over the world.” Daisaku Ikeda

Why This Matters

Loneliness and disconnection are not just uncomfortable—they’re deadly. The World Health Organization reports that 1 in 6 people worldwide experience loneliness, contributing to nearly 871,000 deaths annually. Social isolation increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety. But research shows that social connection is as vital to health as good nutrition and exercise.

This is where art becomes medicine. The arts don’t just enrich lives—they restore wellbeing, build resilience, and help communities thrive.

Our Founders’ Personal Journey with Healing

This mission is deeply personal to our founders, who have witnessed how creativity becomes a lifeline in moments of pain. When Janine lost her daughter Shannan to cancer, she picked up a paintbrush for the first time—transforming grief into vibrant color. Her art became both a bridge to her daughter’s memory and a pathway back to joy.

Diana has seen the same power unfold in others: guiding one of her interns, a young adult paralyzed by social anxiety, as he discovered his voice through writing and filmmaker interviews; and leading women over 60 in Dancing to Wellness, where exercise blossomed into sisterhood, confidence, and celebration. These stories show how painting, writing, music, and dance can restore strength, reframe struggles, and reconnect us with joy—reminding us that storytelling itself is healing, and that sharing our journeys unites us in resilience and hope.

 Combating Loneliness & Building Connection

Loneliness may be widespread, but the arts are a proven antidote. A UK study of nearly 6,000 adults found that 82% feel more socially connected through the arts. Whether painting, drumming, or attending performances, arts participation:

• Creates opportunities to meet new people

• Builds common ground across differences

• Fosters a sense of belonging and shared humanity

On Long Island, we see this daily: seniors forming sisterhoods through dance, teens gaining confidence on stage, and families uniting around mural projects.

Healing Trauma & Restoring Mental Health

Arts engagement is more than expression—it is therapy. Controlled studies show that creative arts therapies significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, with drama, music, dance/movement, and art all offering powerful tools for recovery.

• For children: drawing and calligraphy reduce stress and foster hope.

• For adults: art therapy and music help regulate emotions and ease anxiety.

• For communities: refugees and displaced families use art to reduce stigma and preserve cultural identity.

Healing Art Together brings this science to practice—offering trauma-informed workshops where participants release tension, share stories, and build resilience in safe, supportive spaces.

Protecting Brain Health & Inspiring Resilience

Creativity strengthens the mind across the lifespan. Research shows that regular arts participation may reduce dementia risk by up to 63% by stimulating memory, focus, and problem-solving.

From seniors rediscovering confidence in dance, to Holocaust survivors demonstrating resilience through lifelong art practice, to children building curiosity in theatre and music—the arts help people stay mentally sharp and emotionally strong.

On Long Island, our intergenerational programs bring older adults and youth together, creating connections that protect brain health and build lasting resilience.

Closing Call to Action

At Healing Art Together, every brushstroke, every song, every dance step is part of a larger healing journey. Backed by global research and lived experience, our programs tackle loneliness, heal trauma, and protect brain health for generations to come.

When you invest in the arts, you invest in public health, stronger communities, and renewed hope.

At Healing Art Together, we believe art can rebuild what life’s challenges try to break down. Our mission is simple yet profound:

To bring art’s transformative power into healthcare and communities—through heartfelt collaboration with artists, health professionals, and artists like Janine.

We’re more than a program—we’re a movement of healing, hope, and human connection. Whether in care settings, educational environments, or local communities, our programs create meaningful impact.

✅ Reduced anxiety and depression
✅ Greater emotional expression
✅ Stronger community bonds
✅ A safe, creative outlet for trauma, grief, and recovery

🤝 Why Collaborate With Us

We invite mission-aligned organizations, healthcare institutions, and funders to join us in expanding this powerful work.

Together, we can:

• Expand access to creative healing programs

• Train more artist-educators and facilitators

• Reach underserved communities with art-based wellness

• Build a national model for integrating art into healthcare and emotional recovery

💫 Your support helps us brighten lives and build resilience—one brushstroke, one story, and one heart at a time.