22 Apr The Art of Healing Community Event 2025
LOUISVILLE, KY – Today at Mellwood Arts Center in Louisville, the Kosair for Kids’ Face It Movement is hosting the third annual The Art of Healing event with the support of Fund for the Arts. This three-hour event is free and open to the public, and will include performances and displays by local artists along with interactive stations that incorporate art, music, and movement.
The Art of Healing’s purpose is to raise awareness of child abuse and the long-term effects it leaves, to show support for child abuse survivors, and to highlight how creative expression and movement can be helpful in the healing journey.
- WHEN: April 22, 2025, 5:30 – 8:30 PM, doors open at 5:00 PM
- WHERE: Mellwood Arts Center in the VanGogh Room, 1860 Mellwood Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
- REGISTER: bit.ly/AOH2025
- Admission is FREE for the community. Due to the sensitive nature, this event is recommended for adults and teens ages 13 and up.
The Art of Healing is intentionally scheduled in April as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month is a time to recognize the role every person can play in preventing child maltreatment and supporting the survivors of child abuse in our communities.
“Child abuse leaves deep lasting scars that don’t just disappear when we become an adult – the pain is often carried with us into parenting, relationships, and everyday life. Healing begins when we feel seen, heard, and supported. Creating safe spaces, like The Art of Healing, breaks the silence of abuse and allows the community to show support and strength to survivors in their healing journey.” said Debbie Abreu, representative of the Face It Movement with Kentucky Youth Advocates.
The opening program includes remarks and performances given by:
- Debbie Abreu, Face It Movement representative
- Ki Carroll, Bless Your Spirit
- Spoken word performance by Dolla Green
- Dance performance by BeeBee Patillo
- Poem reading by Cheri LaMaster
- Musical performance by Tasha Wilson-Hatchett
- Musical performance by River City Drum Corp
There will also be interactive stations hosted by local partners, including:
- Beaded Charm Bracelets with Steam Exchange Community Arts Center
- Drumming Together with Louisville Center for Therapy and Personal Sustainability
- Hands on Care: Hand Massage + 5-NP Acupressure with Tip It Forward
- Healing with Mixed Media and Collage with Lovely-Allen Art
- Herb Planting: Nature’s Healing with Blueprint502
- Hip Hop Dance with Kids View Inc.
- Jam Session with Bless Your Spirit
- Junk Journals with Side by Side Studio
- Mental Health Matters photo stickers with Kentucky Art Therapy Association
- Photovoice with UK College of Public Health
- What Fuels You: Looking at Self-Care with Jewish Family & Career Services of Louisville
- Worry dolls activity with Tricia Hart, LPAT
- Yoga for Healing by Rebecca Elliott, LPCC, RYT500
- Resource table by Artists for Trauma
“Art is a powerful tool in helping to heal and grow,” said Andre Kimo Stone Guess, President and CEO of Fund for the Arts. “Fund for the Arts is grateful for the opportunity to support The Art of Healing through the HeARTS program to continue in the ongoing work of bringing those tools to our community.”
Face It directly addresses the unacceptable incidences of child abuse and neglect in Kentucky with the promotion of best practices in child abuse prevention and intervention, engaging the community, and advocating for effective policies to improve the systems that keep kids safe. With our nearly 170 community partners across Kentucky, we host events, share resources, promote child safety tips and family engagement ideas, and more to prevent maltreatment and support families.
Check out ways you can participate in preventing child abuse, order free resources, and learn more about the Face It Movement at faceitabuse.org/capm/.
Thank you to Kosair for Kids for their continued commitment to the Face It Movement. We also thank Fund for the Arts for their support of The Art of Healing event, Artists for Trauma for providing resources for attendees, and Home Depot for providing supplies for the planting station. Thank you to the community partners and artists who are performing, hosting interactive stations, and participating in The Art of Healing 2025 event – this event is not possible without their partnerships.
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Contact:
Mara Powell
Kentucky Youth Advocates
mpowell@kyyouth.org
(502) 895-8167 x 122
About the Face It® Movement
The Face It® Movement launched in 2013 as an initiative led by Kosair for Kids® in response to the number of child abuse deaths in the Commonwealth. Face It focuses on a three-pronged approach to addressing child abuse and neglect: promote best practices in child abuse prevention and intervention, build awareness and engage the community, and advocate for effective policies to improve the child welfare system. Learn more at faceitmovement.org.
About Kosair for Kids®
Kosair for Kids enhances the health and well-being of children by delivering financial support for healthcare, research, education, social services, and child advocacy. We envision a world in which children in need live life to the fullest. For more information, please visit kosair.org.