Art and Wellness

The growing field of art therapy argues that paintings and sculpture can improve your wellness. In collaboration with Art Toronto, host Shaun Francis examines the evidence with such experts as the contemporary artist Marcel Dzama, RxArt founder Diane Brown, Sinai Health psychiatrist-in-chief Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld and Montreal Museum of Fine Arts art therapist Stephen Legari. Plus: Medcan’s art strategist, Stacy Francis, discusses her innovative approach to art.

Episode 89 webpage

LINKS

See this year’s Art Toronto event featuring more than 300 Canadian artists, running from October 29-31 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and online until November 7. 

Here’s a FAQ about the art therapy process 

Check out Diane Brown’s nonprofit organization, RxART

See Sinai Health’s Creative Arts Therapy program.

Learn more about Marcel Dzama here.

Read about museotherapy at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, where art therapist Stephen Legari practices. 

See Medcan’s art collection, curated by Marshall Webb and Stacy Francis, including Liz Magor’s Gut Jacket.

Check out some existing scientific research on art therapy, like a 2019 trial that suggested art therapy was effective in reducing anxiety and improving quality of life. Plus a 2017 study showed how just one art therapy session improved participants’ mood, and reduced pain and anxiety. A 2014 article suggested art therapy can affect those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. 

The World Health Organization’s 2019 scoping review on the role of the arts in improving health and wellbeing

INSIGHTS

“When we’re patients, we’re still people, and we’re people who are going through stress and strain.” According to Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld, our healthcare experience can be improved by the presence of art that is beautiful, engaging or thought-provoking. [04:31]

The art on the walls at Medcan has been carefully picked out by Stacy Francis and art consultant Marshall Webb. The pieces were chosen for their potential to provoke attention and create a reaction in the people who see it. “I wanted [clients] to just have a contemplative moment that was not about the next test that they were about to receive,” says Francis. [07:03]

Art therapy is the combination of therapy with the presence or creation of art. Stephen Legari is an art therapist at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. “Art therapy allows people to externalize their experience, enjoy a therapeutic relationship with art and feel supported as they’re doing that,” says Legari. [10:36]

When we do things that don’t come naturally to us (like art!), we use and connect more neurons in our brains. And that becomes more important as we age, according to Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld. “This is why people get advice about, if you’re left handed, use your right hand, [and] if you love crosswords, you should actually try a number puzzle instead,” she says. [13:54]

When we realize we aren’t good at a hobby or activity, we tend to move on to something else. But Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld says that “there’s good support for the value of developing habits that are about both mastery, and tolerating our absolute mediocrity at something.” [26:24]

Interest in art therapy is growing fast. RxART is a nonprofit organization that commissions artists to transform hospitals and healthcare settings, and its founder Diane Brown has seen the interest first-hand, both from hospitals and from artists. Every RxART project is fully funded by the charity and free to the hospitals. Artists receive small honorariums.  “We don't have problems getting artists to collaborate. Rarely does an artist turn us down,” says Brown. [29:06]