Don’t miss the Arts Studios’ Annual Winter Sale
On November 26th, the Arts Studios will hold its 18th ANNUAL WINTER SALE at Heritage Hall. Please join us for this special event featuring clients’ art work, paintings, pottery, jewelry and silent auction. See flyer for more details!
Thanks to the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation and the generous support of private donors, the Art Studios will continue to offer its unique program that supports mental health rehabilitation and recovery using art as a medium for another five years. Operating funds for the Art Studios have been pledged to ensure the program continues to operate at its current location on Victoria Drive until 2021.
The Art Studios is a specialized rehabilitation program within Vancouver Community Mental Health and Substance Use Services. Grounded in a psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery (PSR) philosophy the program applies strengths-based approaches and involves clients in core aspects of service design and delivery.
The Art Studios uses group art instruction and open studio time as the medium for engaging clients in meaningful art activity, normalized routine, and skill development. Contracted art instructors (many of whom were former clients) and Peer Support Workers provide education and support in a range of visual art forms. Clinical services are comprised of specific occupational therapy assessments and interventions designed to assist clients in transitioning from reliance on structured health services to integration into community resources. Clients range in age from youth (16-24 years), adults and older adults who have diagnosed mental illness.
In partnership with the UBC Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, the Arts Studios commenced a research project in 2014 which includes a comprehensive program evaluation to assess the impact of participation in the Arts Studios program on clients’ recovery, wellness status, goal attainment and outcomes. It is hoped that the publication of the final report will contribute to the body of best practices literature on arts-based Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) interventions.