A spring online creativity + wellness initiative from Arts NC State

The Flourish Arts initiative seeks to unite themes of mental health and creative expression, encouraging healthy conversations & reflection about how the arts impact our well-being.

In spring 2019, Arts NC State and the Counseling Center hosted the first annual Flourish Arts Festival, spearheaded by alumnus Rebekah Middleton. In 2020, the festival became an online initiative due to the pandemic. This year, we’re back with an initiative to connect the arts to mental and physical well-being. From taking advantage of some of our digital art making opportunities to diving into research on how the arts affect mental wellness, we invite you to take a moment to flourish.

Flourish Arts Event Highlights

April 5
- University Theatre: Out Loud. Umoja by Ladarrion Williams (Part 1 of 2). – A group of seniors set out to create a club for Black Excellence on a predominantly white college campus but, when their petition is sidelined by racial tension and controversy, the students must share their truth and some of their deepest secrets.
April 7
- The Counseling & Women’s Centers present: Torn Paper Transformations: A Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Workshop
- University Theatre: Out Loud. Umoja by Ladarrion Williams (Part 2 of 2).
April 9
- UT Revisited: Cabaret
April 12
- University Theatre: Out Loud. Top Dog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks (Part 1 of 2). The play follows Lincoln and Booth as they navigate poverty, racism, and the bonds of brotherhood through hand after hand of three-card Monte. 2002 Pulitzer Prize
April 14
- NC State LIVE: Choreographers with Cocktails & Mocktails featuring Ephrat Asherie Dance
- Dance Program Lunchbox Series: Arts, Activism and Public Health with Nancy Epstein and Clara Pinsky.
- University Theatre: Out Loud. Top Dog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks (Part 2 of 2). The play follows Lincoln and Booth as they navigate poverty, racism, and the bonds of brotherhood through hand after hand of three-card Monte. 2002 Pulitzer Prize

April 15
- Wellness Day!
- Music & Mindfulness 30 min virtual drop in. 11:30am
- CraftCARE (partnership with Counseling Center): free student workshops all day. Sign up here.
- Gregg Museum: Third Thursday Virtual Tour.
- Prevention Services Flourish Event: making terrariums
April 16
- Student Art Sale: enjoy and/or purchase beautiful art made by NC State Students!
April 19
- University Theatre: Out Loud. Swimming While Drowning by Emilio Rodriguez. Angelo Mendez leaves home to escape his homophobic father; at a Los Angeles homeless shelter, he finds love with another homeless teen in this gritty and funny romance.
April 21
- Dance Program: An evening of live dance features works from Tracey Durbin, Shayla Taylor, Tara Z. Mullins, Francine E. Ott and NC State students. NOTE: This outdoor drive-up concert is sold out.
- University Theatre: Out Loud. Am I Dead? by Kevin R. Free. In the hereafter, three souls struggle to reassemble the black men they wronged in life until Isis, the goddess of marital devotion, pushes them to address the truths of their wrongs in life. Am I Dead? will be pre-cast as a workshop process with the playwright.
April 22
- Music Therapist Joyu Lee leads a Tree of Life Art Workshop noon-1:15pm. Zoom info here.
- Gregg Museum: Earth Day Film Screening. Chasing Coral.
- NC State LIVE @ the Lot presents Charly Lowry: spiritual soul with Lumbee/Tuscarora roots.
- Prevention Services Tap In: Centering and Movement with Trap Yoga is for The Collective
April 23
- Music Therapist Joyu Lee leads a Tree of Life Art Workshop noon-1:15pm
April 27
- Crafts Center: Spring Pottery Sale
April 28
- Dance Program Lunchbox Series: Students in Response: The Election and Political Climate.
April 29
- Prevention Services Flourish Event: Making Air Plant Holders

For a full list of April Flourish Arts Events Click Here!

Virtual Ongoing Programs

Crafts

Craft Care: The Crafts Center, in collaboration with Prevention Services and Counseling, announces its new CRAFTCARE: Creativity Through Wellness series.While the Center’s regular programming supports the mission of creativity through wellness, CRAFTCARE classes will be offered during the university’s Wellness Days and throughout the year as special programs. CRAFTCARE activities are open to NC State students at no cost. Registration will be required.

For a list of community, national, & international online arts programs click here!

See below for research on the arts + wellness & more community online offerings!

Breathing Activities from Joyu Lee, board-certified music therapist

https://www.musicandyourmind.com/watching.html

PDF: Breathe with the shapes

Research on the arts + mental wellness

The healing power of art: Creative activities can relieve stress, aid communication, and help arrest cognitive decline. From Harvard Medical School

Music + Mental Health

How to Use Music for Your Mental Health: From Reachout.com

How Listening to Music Can Have Psychological Benefits: From Verywellmind.com

Dance + Mental Health

Benefits of Dance on Mental Health from starquestdance.com

A blog piece from mindwise.org about the positive effects of dance on depression

The Powerful Psychological Benefits of Dance from Psychology Today

If any questions arise, we can easily be reached on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter at @ArtsNCState or email Amy Sawyers-Williams in the office of arts outreach & engagement: acsawyer@ncsu.edu.

Flourish Arts