“The Art of Healing” is a collaboration with Hidden Wounds, a non-profit aiming to provide peace of mind and assist military personnel suffering combat stress injuries and other postwar challenges, in addition to those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries through artistic and creative healing.
Jim Dukes, of Cary, North Carolina and Tapp’s visiting artist-in-residence for July, August and September, will be the feature artist for the exhibit. Jim suffered from PTSD but found relief in a creative outlet, photography. Since he is an artist-in-residence, he has worked to assist local organizations and individuals who participate in an art healing therapy, and helped solidify an ongoing art healing program for the Tapp’s Art Center.
Participants are invited to use all different mediums. They are encouraged to do whatever they feel comfortable with or have always had a curiosity or interest in. Participants can and have used photography, writing, drawing, painting, or mixed media or other art forms aimed at healing. The Tapp’s Art Center wants it to be known that this exhibit is not just limited to individuals using art healing to augment their PTSD and/or TBI rehabilitation but also cancer, depression and other life-changing conditions.
Participants’ selected artwork will be included in a photo book with the participants’ experiences, as told by area writers. In addition, this photo book will be released and sold, at an exhibit closing fundraiser on August 30th at 7:00pm. All proceeds from admission as well as artwork sales will benefit both Hidden Wounds and the friends of Tapp’s Art Center, to advance healing through art.
This is a FREE event for a great cause. Help us, help our soldiers who serve so bravely and proudly to protect our individual freedoms that are so dear to us. The exhibit will be open Thursday, August 1st as part of First Thursdays on Main. So come out and participate or come on the night of the fundraiser to support our troops. Those who are interested in participating in the program should contact Steven Dias at Hidden Wounds at (803)-873-6540 or steven@hiddenwounds.org or Jim Dukes at (704)-840-9008. For information on submitting artwork and exhibit details, contact Brenda Schwarz at (803)-988-0013 or at Brenda@TappsArtCenter.com. To find out more about Tapp’s visit their website here.
Columbia is the prime business and social hub of South Carolina. Tapp’s Art Center is located right off Main Street where there are retailers, hotels, coffee houses, restaurants, and is right in the middle of the business district.
