When I traveled home with our four children for a summer holiday one year, my dad convinced us to help him plant hundreds of seedlings. He loved to involve others in his projects and had a passion for planting trees. Years later, after our children grew up, I began creating community-based artwork, designing opportunities for people to discover their creative potential through group projects. Through almost two decades of experience as a social practice artist, I have realized how art can help individuals grow and flourish, much like my dad’s seedlings.

After founding Healing in Arts in 2016, my creative team and I continue to plant seeds of healing through our collaborative art. Our donor-funded initiatives aim to demonstrate the value of every individual, reaching out to children with disabilities, teens enslaved in sex trafficking, veterans struggling with PTSD, and refugees. These interactive projects cultivate a sense of community. In our own way, we are following my dad’s legacy of planting something that will grow beyond our work and inspire others with hope.