Maimonides Medical Center hosts art therapy exhibit from patients

For people living with mental illness, healing can start with a paintbrush. In a News 12 exclusive, Julia Burns takes us to a local art therapy program to show us how. A blank canvas and one word. Transformation. If you could paint what it looks like to heal, to find yourself again, what would that look like? For Gloria Colon, the answer is faith. My painting is about Jesus, and it's my faith. Jesus is my strength, and anytime that I have a problem, I go to God, I say a prayer. For George Spinella, transformation looks a little different. It's the journey from a tadpole to a frog, and a journey within himself. You should have seen me when I first came here. I was a little withdrawn. I mean, anybody can transform themselves. All they have to do is just be willing to do it. Sometimes, that's the hardest part. Maimonides Medical Center says more than half of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their life. The art therapy program helps those who may not be ready or able to put it into words. In art therapy, people are given an opportunity to process their experiences, process their trauma, re-narrate their stories without relying solely on verbal communication. But hey, they say a picture's worth a thousand words anyways. I come in upset and anxious, but then I go there and I'm able to relax and unwind. Once I start painting, I think I am able to let loose and express myself. The art will be on display here in the lobby for the next two weeks. And if you want more information on the program, you can head to our website at news12.com. In Borough Park, Julia Burns, News 12.