We believe mental and emotional well-being are an important part of our overall health. As a therapeutic arts initiative, Heart & Hue introduces practices that participants may find calming, reflective, joyful, and/or therapeutic. No prior art experience is required to join our workshops, and everyone is welcome. We believe there is no right or wrong way to engage in our workshops. Rather than focusing on the final product, we encourage participants to enjoy the process, explore their creativity and self-expression, and engage with each activity in whatever way feels meaningful to them.

Heart & Hue is not an art therapy organization, and our workshops are not a substitute for mental health treatment. Our goal is to make therapeutic arts practices approachable and create a welcoming space where older adults can explore art as one way to support their well-being.

We aim to meet our participants where they are and shape our project around the communities we serve. By partnering with senior centers and community organizations, we work to make our workshops accessible, and responsive to the needs of each community.

1. To promote mindfulness, social connection, and creative expression among older adults at senior centers through hosting free therapeutic art workshops 

2. To encourage student involvement and instill a stronger sense of community as students lead creative workshops within older adult communities.

3. To increase access to mindfulness and community spaces for LA’s aging population

Primary care for older adults (65+) can often prioritize physical health needs, including chronic disease management, fall prevention, and health risk reduction. While essential, mental health and emotional well-being may receive less attention during clinic visits. Depression in older adults can also be difficult to recognize when symptoms overlap with cognitive and physical changes associated with aging, which can delay identification and treatment (Chapman & Perry, 2008). 

Mental health concerns among older adults can have serious consequences. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), older adult men have the highest suicide rates among all age and gender groups, with rates increasing among men ages 65 and older. These concerns highlight the importance of raising awareness of mental health and emotional well-being among older adults and creating accessible opportunities to engage in wellness activities. Therapeutic art activities offer one such opportunity. Research has shown that participation in the arts can support emotional well-being, cognitive health, social connection, and quality of life among older adults (Shukla et al., 2022). 

Heart & Hue aims to promote greater awareness of mental well-being among older adults, introduce therapeutic activities that can support their well-being, & create opportunities to build community.