ArtGivers

Jasmine Best in her studio, and her piece “American Weeds Growing Through Docile Gardens (Nubian Queen)” in the new wing of the women’s campus of Healing Transitions in Raleigh, a residential addiction recovery facility. “I am glad ArtGivers is a reality because it connects the work of artists with art lovers who may not have formally considered themselves art lovers.”

Recent installation of art chosen by The Fellowship Home of Raleigh, a halfway house established in Boylan Heights in 1961, serving people in the early months of recovery from substance use disorders. Artists (in order of photos, L to R): Adam D. Cohen, Skillet Gilmore, Shelley Smith. ArtGivers supports healing while financially supporting emerging artists (though co-founder Adam D. Cohen doesn’t accept payment for the work he contributes).

New art by Pete Sack in the waiting room at Samaritan Health Center, a free and charitable medical clinic in Durham, NC. It’s been proven that viewing art in a healthcare setting decreases patient anxiety and depression; reduces pain due to positive distraction; enhances a sense of comfort and safety; and serves as a prompt for social engagement.

Exam room at Samaritan Health Center, a free/charitable health clinic in Durham, NC, with art by Adriana Ameigh. “For some individuals, sitting in an exam room can be very stressful, particularly if they’re going through hard times. For patients, when they look at the painting, it can bring about that sense of calm. And then, what we can counsel them on is, when you’re home or when you’re at work, think about how you felt at this moment.” – Kina Edwards, Medical Director, Samaritan Health Center

Windi White, Director of Development at Healing Transitions, a residential addiction recovery program in Raleigh, NC, with artwork by Adam D. Cohen. “Exposure to original art breathes life. Being able to create a space of intentionality and a little snapshot of hope of what can be – it’s an amazing gift.” – Windi White

Artist Laurie Smithwick in her Charlotte, NC studio. "I think it’s so important that everyone be able to surround themselves with art if they so desire. Not just the people who are able to afford art, but everyone. ArtGivers makes that crazy-sounding wish feel more like a reality, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to watch my own own art find its way into more lives."

Library at the IFC SECU Community House men’s shelter in Chapel Hill, NC, an Inter-Faith Council for Social Services facility, with artwork by Diana Malin. “When we're with art, it gives us a chance to get out of our head, to get out of the trauma, and be somewhere other than in the pain.” – Frank J, Healing Transitions

Family Room at Healing Transitions, a residential addiction recovery facility in Raleigh, NC, with art by Paul Friedrich. “As I go through recovery, my vision, my perception of the artwork kind of changes and fits what I'm going through on a day-to-day basis. It helps, it really does.” – Bryce W., Healing Transitions resident

Check-in at Samaritan Health Center, a free/charitable health clinic in Durham, NC, with art by Rick Grime. “Integrated into a well-designed healthcare environment, art can and does make a difference. It can help welcome, reassure, soothe, engage, distract. It connects us with our humanity. It touches the spirit. It reminds us who we are. It reminds us of our best selves and it nourishes the soul.” – The All-party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Well-Being (UK)

Artist Pete Sack in his Raleigh, NC studio. "The thing that appealed to me most about working with ArtGivers was knowing that my artwork would be seen by multiple people on a daily basis and in a safe, healing space. For the viewer to see themselves in another piece of artwork is vital. It shows you’re not alone.”

Waiting room at Samaritan Health Center, a free/charitable health clinic in Durham, NC, with art by Caitlin Cary. "I think when you bring in something that is out of the ordinary, it brightens up a room and allows a patient to look up and think beyond the particular crisis or the particular health need of the moment…color and light and creativity brings joy.” – Elizabeth Brill, Executive Director, Samaritan Health

Bedroom at the IFC SECU Community House men’s shelter in Chapel Hill, NC, an Inter-Faith Council for Social Services facility, with artwork by Laurie Smithwick. "I love art...it brightens up the place when you already have bad things going on in your life. You see something that makes you smile and that's what art's supposed to do.” – Community House resident Gary B.