“Art helped me work through a problem when I was burnt out after nonstop weeks of schoolwork. Art helped me escape from the stresses of my work and allowed myself to express myself in a controlled manner.”

“I do believe art class can be a safe environment to express yourself when it is properly done. If you have a kind teacher and peers that help you grow, you’ll want to express how you may feel in the moment.”

“I’ve had a student who used art to cope with the sadness and grief of losing someone close to them. They immersed themselves in the creative process, and it became a meaningful way to work through their emotions. They explained that art provided a sustainable and healthy outlet for their grief, helping them process it in a way that felt manageable and constructive.”

“Creating art can be a quite different experience from classes such as math, science, history etc.. Students respond positively to the use of paints, clays and other tactile materials...there is a sense of peace and enjoyment when students engage in the practice of art making. There seems to be a release of pressure when students engage in creating.”