HELMS Foundation opens first non-profit art therapy studio in Mahoning Valley
.jpg "The Ryan Giambattista HELMS Foundation of the Mahoning Valley opened the first non-profit, community-focused studio for art therapy in the area this month.")
The Ryan Giambattista HELMS Foundation of the Mahoning Valley opened the first non-profit, community-focused studio for art therapy in the area this month.
At the new studio, community members from the Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties can come together for art classes led by registered therapists.
These therapists are all registered and licensed to bring art classes to individuals and groups while providing emotional support and guidance.
They celebrated a ribbon cutting Feb. 16 with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
Who was Ryan Giambattista?
The HELMS Foundation of the Mahoning Valley was named after artist Ryan Giambattista, the youngest of seven children.
Read about Ryan’s mom, Terri DiGennaro, winner of the 2023 Remarkable Women WKBN campaign celebrating local female leaders.
She spearheaded the foundation in her son’s honor that celebrates using art to express yourself and traumas.
In 2015, Giambattista died at the age of 23 in an accident.
He was a postal worker who “personally experienced the therapeutic benefits of artistic expression,” according to DiGennaro’s description of her son on the foundation’s website.
He loved all forms of art, but would often paint graffiti on blighted buildings in Youngstown, transforming them and using “HELMS” as his signature.
His family and the foundation supports Giambattista’s vision of utilizing art therapy even after the end of his life in 2015.
.jpg "DSC_0125+(3).jpg")
What is art therapy?
Art therapists help people find ways to express themselves through creativity, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Art therapy can help people cope with past traumas, improve social skills and reduce stress.
“Art therapists work with people who are challenged with medical and mental health problems, as well as individuals seeking emotional, creative, and spiritual growth,” according to the HELMS Foundations
One example of art therapy is painting mandalas, which HELMS art therapist Lindsey Chisholm shared helps decrease levels of anxiety and improve mood and mindfulness in participants.
They’re co-hosting a brunch and bingo event at 10:30 a.m. March 17 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Austintown.
CONNECT WITH US
DAILY NEWS EMAIL ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com/customer-service/newsletter-signup/
FACEBOOK ► https://www.facebook.com/mahoningmatters
TWITTER ► https://twitter.com/mahoningmatters
YOUTUBE ► https://www.youtube.com/@mahoningmatters2814
INSTAGRAM ► https://www.instagram.com/mahoningmatters
SUPPORT US ► https://givebutter.com/vNfzEW
