Hyogo-NOMA Art Therapy Initiative

The Hyogo-NOMA Art Therapy Initiative is made possible through the generosity of the Hyogo Prefecture Disaster Relief Fund, Hyogo, Japan.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is an established and credentialed mental health field that utilizes creative, art-based methods to facilitate healing within individuals. The use of image-making as a mode of communication can be a powerful tool. Art is a language with unique, expressive capabilities to tap into places that words might not be able to reach. Art therapy can be beneficial to anyone interested and willing to explore their creative self; no artistic ability is required. Art therapy is especially helpful to individuals who may have a hard time expressing or containing their feelings, particularly children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. Art therapy can be conducted individually or in groups, and the images created can aid insight and understanding of important issues. Additionally, the act of making art can be a therapeutic process in itself.


Hyogo-NOMA Art Therapy Initiative
Through a generous gift from the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan, the Hyogo-NOMA Art Therapy Initiative has allowed the New Orleans Museum of Art to take a proactive role in helping the children of New Orleans rebuild their lives after Hurricane Katrina. To date over 250 New Orleans public school children at the John Dibert School and Edward Hynes Charter School have received weekly art therapy services with NOMA's full-time art therapist, Holly M. Wherry, MAAT, as part of the Hyogo-NOMA Art Therapy Initiative. In total, almost 800 children, educators, mental health professionals, and parents from New Orleans have benefited from the program over the past year by learning to use art to process, share, cope with, and express their Hurricane Katrina experiences. The program provided art therapy groups for children who may not otherwise have had access to mental health services and were often traumatized, uncertain, frightened, and living in communities in transition. The unique structure of the program within the school provided many benefits and helped make the overall school community a healthier environment. Because the program provided sketchbooks and art supplies for all participants, the children were able to continue using art as a tool to help process feelings, express emotions, and practice relaxation skills after the completion of the program at their school. All of the children who participate in the program are taken on a field trip to visit NOMA and the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, and Holly also offers therapeutic art summer camps at the Museum free of charge. As the Hyogo-NOMA Art Therapy Initiative moves into its second year, Holly M. Wherry has increased the number of public events offered at the Museum in order to further introduce the field of art therapy to the region, and NOMA is committed to expanding this ground-breaking program.

Art Therapy Events at NOMA

"Celebrate the Artists!" Reception
Coping with Katrina: Artwork from the Hyogo-NOMA Children's Art Therapy Initiative
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Open to the Public
Exhibition on view through October 26, 2008.

Educator Workshop
Art Therapy in New Orleans Schools
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 - 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
NOMA's art therapist, Holly M. Wherry, will discuss her on-going Hyogo-NOMA Art Therapy Initiative. She will share information about using expressive arts in the classroom and lead teachers through a hands-on demonstration of a therapeutic art activity. Schools interested in joining NOMA's art therapy program in the future are encouraged to attend.

All area educators are invited to attend NOMA's free workshops! Pre-registration is required. Please contact the Education Department at 504-658-4128 or education@noma.org.

Community Art-Making Studio
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
No artistic ability required. Explore your creative side in a relaxing and inspiring environment with other adults. Art therapists will guide you in expressing yourself with provided art materials and producing a masterpiece! FREE for all Louisiana residents.

Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Come paint with us! NOMA's art therapist will be facilitating a group painting project for all ages. Families are invited to drop-in and paint large-scale paper murals outside the Museum in picturesque City Park . No artistic experience is necessary! The event is free for everyone!

Coping with Katrina: Artwork from the Hyogo-NOMA Children's Art Therapy Initiative

On view at NOMA through October 26, 2008.

Artwork from the art therapy program is on exhibit at NOMA. On display are examples of two-dimensional artwork made by children in the program, along with a quote from each child to help explain their intention for their work. The pieces express powerful emotions about the children's experiences with Hurricane Katrina, their pride in New Orleans, and how they are feeling three years after the storm. This exhibition provides a unique chance to view such personal, touching, and genuine artwork, because art created during art therapy sessions usually is considered private and confidential. In this case, the children have given permission for their art to be exhibited publicly in order to communicate their experiences and educate the public about art therapy. This exhibition represents another way that the Hyogo-NOMA Art Therapy Initiative continues to grow, adapt, and provide creative outlets for the children of New Orleans.

Schools interested in hosting the art therapy program in the future should contact Marney N. Robinson, Associate Curator of Education, at 658-4113 to apply.