As we approach this new year, we all have the opportunity to determine how we will allocate our time to the most compelling ways to improve our health and wellness. And, based on continued new research, spending time making artwork can provide a direct boost in these areas for people of all ages.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, research has found that making art can activate reward pathways in the brain, reduce stress, lower anxiety levels and improve mood. None of this is surprising to me because I have seen it with my students over the last twenty years and I have experienced it personally in a profound way.

 We often use the term “transforming art education” to describe One River and one can suggest that we can amend it to say “transforming people through art education”. This is why we do what we do and continue to provide a fun and compelling experience that helps people grow.