Diamonds, Denim & Dreams

Highlights, Photos, and Thanks!

Art & Creativity for Healing held its annual Palette of Colors fundraiser on Saturday, April 27 at the site of Rancho Santa Margarita’s Bell Tower with 200 guests. This year’s Diamonds, Denim & Dreams theme fundraiser grossed $110K with 100% of proceeds supporting the organization’s emotional healing programs through art and creative expression for those living in pain, grief, fear or stress.

“I’m amazed from year to year at the generosity of every one of our donors and supporters of this important fundraiser,” said Art & Creativity for Healing’s Founder/Director Laurie Zagon. “This year’s sold-out event with our diamonds, denim and dreams theme, décor and guest’s support was truly magical.”

The nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year, Thanh Cambaliza and Nickie Tran served as event chairs while Elizabeth Kurtz was the auction chair. During the evening program Yumiko Majima was recognized as Volunteer of the Year while Wendy Joy was honored as Teacher of the Year.

A live auction led featured speakers about the organization’s major programs including Wounded Warriors, Troubled Teens, Women Survivors, Unhoused Families in Crisis and Grieving Seniors.

Guests dressed in sparkling western-themed attire enjoyed an expansive silent auction, games and prizes, awards program and live auction. A delicious mac-n-cheese bar and charcuterie spread was followed by a hearty barbecue buffet provided by Canyon Catering while Cocktail Concierge managed cocktails throughout the evening. The lively affair was led by emcee and auctioneer Joe Future with music by DJ Tempoe. The evening concluded with line-dancing instruction.

Major sponsors included Cambaliza McGee LLP, Cara Paynter with Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, IQ Risk Insurance Services, LLC, Ruth & Joseph C. Reed Foundation for the Arts, Sterling Carpet & Flooring and the Ted Aston Family.

Thank you to our Board and Volunteers

Without our wonderful Board of Directors and volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to continue to spread Our Mission!

Back row: Lino Cambaliza, Nicki Tran, Erica Jones, Maria Todaro, Kyle Rooke
Front row: Asia Hasan, Elizabeth Kurtz, Laurie Zagon, Thanh Cambaliza

Teacher of the Year Wendy Joy , Art4Healing Founder Laurie Zagon, Volunteer of the Year Yumiko Majima

See the full list of thank you’s here

2024 Fundraising Dinner & Auction Slideshow

2024 Fundraising Dinner & Auction Thumbnails

Thanks again for your support!

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Art & Creativity for Healing (ACFH) is excited to announce an opportunity for Orange County, California residents to join our mission in a very special way. We’re looking for compassionate individuals to step into the role of substitute facilitators, guiding participants through our transformative Art4Healing workshops.

To equip you with the skills and understanding necessary for this rewarding role, we’re hosting a substitute facilitator training at our Laguna Hills Studio.

Choose between two available dates: Monday, May 6th, or Friday, May 17th, from 1-4 pm.

This in-person training is not just an opportunity to learn; it’s a chance to become part of a mission to give pain a voice. Whether you’re an artist, educator, therapist, or simply someone with a big heart for helping others, this training will give you the tools you need to facilitate Art4Healing workshops in our local community. Space is limited, so we encourage you to register soon to secure your spot.

For more details and to register, please visit our registration page.

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Our troubled youth and teens have benefitted greatly from the Art4Healing classes, giving them a way to vent their fear and anxiety by learning how to express themselves creatively on canvas.” – Vern Burton

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – January 16, 2024

Art & Creativity for Healing and the Orange County Department (OCDE) have partnered to provide Art4Healing workshops for teens in ACCESS (Alternative, Community, and Correctional Education Schools and Services) schools. Since 2022, over 5000 students have participated in the program Raging Colors: Expressive Painting for Teens utilizing the Art4Healing method promoting emotional healing through art and creative expression for teens struggling with mental health challenges.

The ongoing workshops held weekly at all 24 OCDE ACCESS schools throughout Orange County have achieved positive results and feedback among students.

“Our troubled youth and teens have benefitted greatly from the Art4Healing classes, giving them a way to vent their fear and anxiety by learning how to express themselves creatively with the language of abstract colors on canvas,” said Assistant Superintendent of the OCDE ACCESS School, Vern Burton who initiated the partnership.

As reported by the AMA (American Medical Association), clinical studies have found that arts engagement promotes patient recovery, relaxation and reduces patient stress, anxiety, and depression.

The Laguna Hills-based nonprofit Art & Creativity for Healing developed and certifies facilitators in their Art4Healing method used in the ACCESS schools. During the sessions, students are led through abstract art exercises in a safe and supported space allowing for reflection on their individual experiences, frustrations, and struggles which include exposure to drugs and alcohol, peer pressure, teen pregnancy, bullying, depression, and low self-esteem.

Burton shares that ACCESS students’ everyday lives are often stressful as many face difficulties such as legal issues, foster emancipation, and homelessness.

Art & Creativity for Healing founder/director Laurie Zagon says, “Art4Healing teaches teens that art can be a constructive part of their everyday lives and a positive way to communicate tough issues that have negatively affected them or derailed their emotional growth. As we say, the program allows individuals to express their feelings on canvas when words fail.”

View our calendar for workshop opportunities!

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2023 A Canvas of Hope Fundraising Dinner and Auction

Art & Creativity for Healing held its annual Palette of Colors fundraiser on April 29 at the beautiful site of Rancho Santa Margarita’s Bell Tower with 210 guests. This year’s theme ‘A Canvas of Hope’ grossed $88K with 100% of proceeds supporting the organization’s emotional healing programs through art and creative expression for those living in pain, grief, fear, or stress.

The nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year, Rancho Santa Margarita resident Thanh Cambaliza served as the event chair while Newport Beach resident Elizabeth Kurtz was the silent auction chair. During the evening program honorees included Laura Svette, Big Heart Award for Outstanding Service & Support; Jennette Pulecio, Big Heart Award for Teacher of the Year; and Grace Schlichter, Big Heart Award for Volunteer of the Year.

A live auction featured speakers about the organization’s major programs including Healing for Heroes and their Families Military Group, Families in Life Transitions, Teens & At-Risk Youth, and Women Survivors.

The “Doodle Project”

This year, we gave each table a small “Doodle Project” to complete. Every table had a great time with this activity, and you can see the results here:

The Group Creation

Another event highlight was a group canvas project where attendees participated in painting colors of their choice demonstrating the organization’s Art4Healing method. Later, the artwork was auctioned by Joe Future of DJ Tempoe for $500. Here is the result of the group’s effort:

Thank you to our Board

Without our wonderful Board of Directors, we wouldn’t be able to continue to spread Our Mission!

The Photo Booth

We had a photo booth set up during the event along with a wide variety of costume props. Everyone had a great time dressing up:

2023 Fundraising Dinner & Auction Slideshow

2023 Fundraising Dinner & Auction Thumbnails

Thanks again for your support!

The post Thanks for attending our 2023 A Canvas of Hope Fundraising Dinner & Auction – see the photos here! appeared first on Art & Creativity for Healing.

ICYMI - We Redesigned our Website!

We’re continually looking for ways to spread our mission more effectively. This year, we decided to take on a website redesign. We had several goals for the redesign, including:

• making information easier to find
• adding more information to our home page
• making the site easier to read and navigate on mobile devices
• updating our site with more visuals of Art4Healing in action

Here are some changes we hope you’ll enjoy:

• We’ve simplified our site’s header navigation. Rather than drop-downs, the top navigation includes our three most popular links and a link to view more.
• We’ve included new icons for you to view the workshop calendar, contact us, or call us in the header.
• In the site’s footer, we’ve included easy-to-read navigation, where you can directly access links on how to Participate, Support us, or Learn About Us.
• It’s easier than ever to sign up for our newsletter. Just text ART4HEALING to 22828! You can also sign up for the newsletter from our news page or when contacting us.

We Hope you enjoy the changes!

If you have any questions, comments, or feedback on our new design, we’d love to hear from you!

Contact Us

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Become a Substitute Art4Healing®Facilitator

Do you love the creative process? Would you like to inspire others to create healing art using the Art4Healing method? We have an opportunity for you!

We’re currently seeking Substitute Facilitators to help enhance our services in Orange County, California.

Substitute Facilitator Guidelines

Substitute Facilitators are independent contractors that substitute for the regular Art & Creativity for Healing Facilitators at class sites throughout Orange County

Requirements

The Substitute Facilitator must have taken at least 2 Art4Healing classes live online or in-person at the studio in Laguna Hills.

The substitute facilitator must also shadow one class with an advanced facilitator and take a half-hour orientation with our Program Director Amy Baker.

Once all the requirements are met the substitute will be called to facilitate a class at one of the many sites in the OC when needed.

(The Substitute Facilitator must be comfortable working with children, teens , and adults)

Get Certified

Admission to our Certification Program: Substitutes will be eligible to apply for our Art4Healing International Certification Program if they wish to be considered for regular Facilitator positions. Regular Facilitators must be Art4Healing Certified in order to facilitate on a regular basis.

Get Started Today!

To get started, just contact us and include a list of Art4Helaing® courses you’ve completed.

Contact Us

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Join Laurie Zagon for an In-Studio workshop!

Our Founder, Laurie Zagon is returning to our Laguna Hills studio to facilitate one workshop per month on Saturday mornings. Don’t miss your chance to learn from the creator of the Art4Healing method herself. These workshops, including NEW CURRICULUM, are bound to sell out quickly as space is limited.

Here are the planned in-studio workshop dates. Click on a workshop title to register!

• Saturday, June 25th, 2022 – from 9 AM -11 AM – Painting My Story
• Saturday, July 30, 2022 – 9 AM – 11 AM – ** NEW ** Expressing Your True Colors
• Saturday, August 20, 2022 – 9 AM – 11 AM – ** NEW ** Expressing Loyalty and Trust
• Saturday, September 17th, 2022 – 9 AM – 11 AM – Seasons of Change
• Saturday, October 15th, 2022 – 9 AM – 11 AM – Identity in Color
• Saturday, November 12th, 2022 – 9 AM – 11 AM – Painting Hope

We'll see you in Laguna Hills soon!

Download Brochure

View Full Calendar

If you work in a corporate environment or own a business, maybe your team could use a creative break! Laurie is also available to facilitate corporate, team-building workshops. Click on the link below to learn more.

Painted Colors

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2022 Hats Off to Giving Dinner and Auction

Thank you to all those who attended our “Hats Off to Giving” Dinner & Fundraising Auction on May 16th. We welcomed a sold-out crowd at the Lake Mission Viejo Clubhouse on a beautiful evening.

Among the highlights, we gave out prizes for the best hats, ate a great meal catered by Luscious Jimmy’s catering, and raised money for our community Programs via our Silent Auction.

Browse the photo gallery here! With over 200 photos in our collection, you’re sure to spot yourself in one. And if you didn’t attend, check out the fund you missed out on!

And, look for announcements next gala – to be held in 2023. We’ll provide you with all of the details on our Gala page!

View the Program

2022 Gala Program (PDF)

2022 Dinner & Auction Slideshow

2022 Dinner & Auction Thumbnails

Thumbnails

Thanks again for your support!

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Santiago Creek School students love Raging Colors!

We love great feedback and we were happy to receive some from our Partners at the Santiago Creek School. We hope this testimonial brightens your day!

A Teacher's Testimonial

Art & Creativity for Healing has been a wonderful gift to our students.  Our students at Santiago Creek School have been going through much turmoil in their lives. Divorce of their parents, parents incarcerated, personal trouble with the law, pregnancy, and teen parenting are just a few of the issues they face.  Many of these problems are out of their immediate control leaving them with feelings of anger, sadness, and hopelessness.  

The ‘Raging Colors-Expressive Art for Teens’ program has been a tremendous tool for our students to express their feelings in a safe environment.  

One of our students, “Franky”, recently moved to California from Mexico to live with his uncle. He was very frustrated living in a new home, missing his parents, and not having the specific words to express his feelings.  Franky has excelled in the “Raging Colors-Expressive Art for Teens”.  He is learning a new language (English) which he writes in his art journal provided.  He draws pictures depicting his feelings and experiences.  The art has boosted his confidence and he is very proud of the artwork he has done.  

Alondra, another student in the program writes, “When I go into Art for Healing I get really excited to start the class.  After finishing the class I feel peaceful and happy.  Honestly, I love doing this class.  It’s the best. One time the teacher Miss Laura made us do something that was emotional that had to do with how we feel or felt in our painting.  I really loved it because I got to say how I felt in my painting.  I liked this experience because it relieved my stress. “

Another student Scarlett writes “Art for Healing – Raging Colors has helped me put my emotions to colors.  My favorite project we did was the ‘window to my heart’. It moved me how I was really feeling inside.  I am so happy to be a part of this class.”  

As a teacher for deeply troubled students, it is a joy to be able to provide a program like “Raging Colors-Expressive Art for Teens” to give them a safe place to express and be in touch with their feelings and have an avenue to release the pain.  The students feel “heard” in the class.  

Laurie Zagon is our hero in providing this opportunity for our students.  I have much gratitude for her and the teachers, Miss Laura and Miss Eva. 

– Cyndie Borcoman
Teacher, Santiago Creek School, ACCESS, OCDE

[See image gallery at art4healing.org]

Thank you, Santiago Creek school, for your kind words!

If you’re inspired, we invite you to learn more about us, take a workshop, or contact us for questions. 

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Art4Healing International Certification is a program that offers students an opportunity to go deeper in their own personal expression while providing a path to becoming a certificated Art4Healing Facilitator. As an AICP Coach, I hear student feedback over and over again: this program has not only helped them to grow in their own creativity and personal expression, but it has given them the confidence to lead others in the process.  

Each student has their own certified personal coach to guide them through the 9-month self-paced curriculum. With in-depth video workshops led by founder and director Laurie Zagon as well as one-on-one Virtual Meetings with a coach, the curriculum is thoughtfully organized and user-friendly. Many students have commented that having a coach to mentor them on this path distinguishes AICP from other online courses.  

As an AICP coach for the past 3 years, I know that great care and consideration is given to pairing students with coaches. It is wonderful to see students become more expressive, intuitive artists as they progress through the curriculum and go deeper in the Art4Healing process. Once certified as Art4Healing Facilitators, it is always inspiring to hear the ways they will bring this work to their communities.

I have found the Art4Healing Certification Program to be outreach at its very best, fostering both personal growth and excellence in training.

AICP student creations

Student testimonials

Please read the comments of some current AICP students:

“The AICP training has been a powerful personal and professional experience. On a personal level, I have grown to be able to deeply use the method for self-knowledge and healing. On a professional level, I have been prepared to facilitate workshops using the curriculum. This has been accomplished through the review and feedback discussion that follows after each exercise as well as one-on-one virtual meetings with my coach.

Soon I will go through the practicum wherein I will receive more guidance from her and input on effective facilitation. I expect to complete the training with tremendous enhancements to my personal life and to my life as a teacher who has always known painting to be a powerful healing modality.  “

– Tina, AICP Student

“Reflecting on my time this past year as a student of The Art4Healing Certification Program my heart is full of gratitude.  Not only has this program given me the opportunity to help others using the wondrous world of expression with color and paint, but in the journey of my own exploration as a painter, an individual, and as a facilitator.

I am thankful for the point that only colors could describe and I am grateful to my coach for all the personalized guidance.  A world and a wondrous gift has been given to me with this program that I am elated to open the opportunity to others within my community. Thank you AICP.”

– Catherine, AICP Student

“Upon seeing the mission statement of Art and Creativity for Healing, I had to look deeper!  As an AICP student who is obtaining the International certificate, I have been so very pleased with the online format of classes, the supreme pleasure of being assigned a coach/mentor with video chats, and the support that has most certainly surpassed my expectations.  I feel that I am being well prepared to further this work of helping others through this program.”

– Deborah, AICP Student

Ready to find out more?

Find out more information and apply here:

Apply Now

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