Building bridges between art, healthcare, and community
Community Art Programs
Artist-led workshops that bring people together to create, connect, and heal. Our 2027 online programs are now in development — open to everyone, everywhere.
The Healing Art Letter
Our free newsletter: real stories, a 5-minute creative practice in every issue, and first word on new programs. Every other week.
Support the Mission
We’re powered by people who believe art heals. Join the Founding Circle or donate to keep community art alive and growing.
OUR MISSION
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Healing Art Together harnesses the restorative power of the arts to support all people and communities facing grief, trauma, illness, and social isolation.
Founded in 2024 on Long Island, our organization brings together artists and healthcare professionals through workshops, healing conferences, community programs, and the HAT Collective artist network.
We create welcoming spaces where everyone belongs—regardless of age, ability, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, or economic circumstance.
Through painting, writing, music, movement, and storytelling, we empower people to reclaim their voices, reconnect with others, and transform pain into purpose.
Every brushstroke, word, and note opens a pathway to resilience— sparking hope, strengthening bonds, and reminding us that healing is something we create together.
In honor of Shannan Dyana McCray, whose legacy continues to heal.
Our Impact So Far
- 100+ attendees at our first Healing Art Conference (2024)
- 50 community members at our Elmont Library workshop & exhibit
- Intergenerational art & movement program at Westbury Arts
- 3 years of Wear Teal for Shannan
- Healing Arts Week Participant with the Jameel Arts & Health Lab (2025)
The HAT Collective: Your Community for Creative Healing
Join Long Island’s directory connecting healing artists with meaningful opportunities. As a member, you’ll:
✨ Get Discovered through the HAT Collective’s online gallery, where your healing work reaches community partners and potential clients
🌟 Partner with Purpose as community organizations, healthcare providers, and wellness centers discover your services
💫 Build Together through collaborative programs, shared resources, and a network of artists committed to healing through creativity
All healing arts modalities welcome—painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, poets, teaching studios, galleries, and creative wellness spaces.
Founding Members: Our first 50 artists receive special recognition and early access. Spots are limited.
Impact of Art
“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.
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
Across Long Island, community arts programs are already showing what’s possible: seniors forming sisterhoods through dance, teens gaining confidence on stage, and families uniting around mural projects.
Featured Articles & Updates
{“type”:”text”,”text”:{“content”:”How Art Heals: Why Creative Expression is Essential for Senior Wellness”,”link”:null},”annotations”:{“bold”:false,”italic”:false,”strikethrough”:false,”underline”:false,”code”:false,”color”:”default”},”plain_text”:”How Art Heals: Why Creative Expression is Essential for Senior Wellness”,”href”:null}
{"type":"text","text":{"content":"Art isn't just something to hang on a wall—it's medicine for aging. Research increasingly shows that creative engagement transforms senior health in surprising and profound...
{“type”:”text”,”text”:{“content”:”How Art Heals: Why Creative Expression is Essential for Senior Wellness”,”link”:null},”annotations”:{“bold”:false,”italic”:false,”strikethrough”:false,”underline”:false,”code”:false,”color”:”default”},”plain_text”:”How Art Heals: Why Creative Expression is Essential for Senior Wellness”,”href”:null}
{"type":"text","text":{"content":"Art isn't just something to hang on a wall—it's medicine for aging. Research increasingly shows that creative engagement transforms senior health in surprising and profound...
{“type”:”text”,”text”:{“content”:”How Art Heals: Why Creative Expression is Essential for Senior Wellness”,”link”:null},”annotations”:{“bold”:false,”italic”:false,”strikethrough”:false,”underline”:false,”code”:false,”color”:”default”},”plain_text”:”How Art Heals: Why Creative Expression is Essential for Senior Wellness”,”href”:null}
{"type":"text","text":{"content":"Art isn't just something to hang on a wall—it's medicine for aging. Research increasingly shows that creative engagement transforms senior health in surprising and profound...
Collaborate | Contact
Courageous Heart Painting by JLisette
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 creatives 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.
We Are Change Makers
At Healing Art Together, we celebrate the arts as a force for healing and connection. We create inclusive spaces where every voice matters, every story has value, and creativity transforms lives.
Contact us about hosting a program, sponsoring an event, or bringing the arts into your healthcare facility.
Creativity connects. Art heals. Together, we transform.
