Art

“Humans are inherently creative. We engage in creative acts for different reasons; sometimes these are for practical purposes such as innovation while at other times we create art for the pure pleasure of it. “Art” is a very broad term that encompasses a wide array of creative expression, including crafts, which I believe holds equal value to the arts. The making of two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects, writing, storytelling, music, dance and theater are just some of the forms of artistic expression, a human phenomenon that is integral to life and culture. We humans engage our hands and our bodies in creative activities for various reasons and benefits including pleasure, distraction, emotional regulation, joy and comfort, which has been the case for me.

The creative process engages the whole self—our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves. I believe that when an individual engages in the creative process that there is the potential to improve well-being, reduce stress, promote self-discovery and build self-esteem. I have found that when I engage in creative activities my mind calms, my depression lifts, and my anxiety diminishes.”

Excerpt, Dumont, Marion G. “Nature as muse: spiritual healing through nature, art and dreams,” in Spiritual Healing from Sexual Violence: An Intersectional Guide, Debra Meyers, PhD and Rev. Mary Sue Barnett, editors. To be published in February 2023 by Routledge.