Healing Arts Chicago
Session 1: Tuesday, March 4 - Friday, April 11, 2025
Register Online
DCASE Homepage > Healing Arts Chicago
Healing Arts Chicago offers free arts services to support mental health and wellness at the City of Chicago’s Mental Health Centers throughout the year. Sign up for creative classes and workshops including movement, yoga, sound and body meditation, music, painting, poetry, writing, and storytelling.
Do you want to learn more about participating in or partnering with Healing Arts Chicago? Fill out our artist interest form or organizational interest form to connect.
Howlround Theatre Commons/Arts for EveryBody Capstone Convening (Feb. 7, 2025): The Future of Arts and Health in Policy, Infrastructure, and Culture
WBEZ Chicago (Sept. 18, 2024): Here’s why Chicago is training local artists to work in city mental health centers
Clinic and Artist Schedule
Wednesday Midday Reset: Audio Pharmacology™ Sound Spa©
Artist: Shannon Harris
Description: An afternoon rest, relaxation, and restoration sound spa experience.
Day/Time: Wednesdays, March 5 - December 17, 12-2 p.m.
Special Considerations: People with epilepsy are not encouraged to participate in this session. For those who do not feel safe in spaces that are dimly lit or when asked to close their eyes to relax, are suggested to not attend. Ages 16+
Wednesday Evening Reset: Audio Pharmacology™ Sound Spa©
Artist: Shannon Harris
Description: An evening rest, relaxation, and restoration sound spa experience.
Day/Time: Wednesdays, March 5 - December 17, 5-6:30 p.m.
Special Considerations: People with epilepsy are not encouraged to participate in this session. For those who do not feel safe in spaces that are dimly lit or when asked to close their eyes to relax, are suggested to not attend. Ages 16+
Tune In: Reclaiming Inner Balance Through Sound
Artist: Mecca Elevated
Description: Tune In: Reclaiming Inner Balance Through Sound. Find your center. Restore your balance with this Elevated Sound Meditation.
Day/Time:
Tuesdays, March 4 - April 8, 3-4 p.m. & 6-7 p.m. Register Online
Thursdays, March 6 - April 10, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-2 p.m. Register Online
Growing Together: Community Based Mural
Artist: Gerry Holiday
Description: A collaborative mural project that promotes well being through a growth mindset and building community with local artists.
Day/Time: Tuesdays, March 4-April 12, 12-7:30 p.m.
hope lives here! - Writing Towards Relief
Artist: Nile Lansana
Description: hope lives here! - Writing Towards Relief is an creative experience for folk of all ages and skill levels to come as they are, shake that load off, and find creative release through reading and listening to poems and spoken word performances along with writing their own first drafts to take home.
Day/Time: Fridays, March 7-April 11, 2-3 p.m.
Special Considerations: If you have a pen or personal notebook, please bring it. Notebooks, pens, and pencils will be provided. Music will be played while folk are writing. All you really need to bring is yourself and an open heart & mind!
Deep Release: A Breathwork Journey
Artist: Erica Marie
Description: A breathwork session designed to help you release stress, clear emotional blocks, and reconnect with your inner calm.
Day/Time: Wednesdays, March 5, 12, 26 & April 2 & 9, 1-2 p.m.
Manifest & Align: A Vision Board Experience
Artist: Erica Marie
Description: A guided workshop blending intention - setting and creative visualization to help you manifest your goals and align with your highest vision.
Day/Time: Thursdays, March 6, 20 & April 3, 5-6:30 p.m.
Breathe, Stretch, Move! (Respira, Estira, Muévete!)
Artist: Leyda Lady Sol Garcia
Description: A 45-50 minute, full body movement, stretch, and breath work offering that centers simple movement sequences for all body types and abilities with a focus on stress release, movement JOY, and body-awareness.
Day/Time: Mondays, March 3-April 21, 12-1 p.m., 1:30-2:30 p.m., 3-4 p.m.
Special Considerations: Gentle music will be utilized for stretching and movement. Mobility range will be considered for all bodies, access, and abilities. Chairs can be used for those who cannot stand for long periods of time and/or cannot access yoga mats on the floor. Wear comfortable, stretchy clothing. Yoga socks, mats, and water will be provided. Room will be lightly aromatic (natural lavender).
Breathe, Create, and Flow
Artist: Leyda Lady Sol Garcia
Description: A 45-50 minute, full body movement, stretch, and breath work offering that centers simple movement sequences for all body types and abilities with a focus on stress release, movement JOY, and body-awareness.
Day/Time: Wednesdays, March 12-April 23, 2-4 p.m.
Special Considerations:
- Mobility Range: Workshops will include minor movement components like stretching and basic yoga asanas.
- Sensitivities: Arts and crafts supplies might have some smells (glue, paint, other mediums) Room will be lightly aromatic. Light refreshments will be provided.
MUEVELO, An Afro-Caribé Dance Class w/ Lady Sol
Session Location: Steadfast Dance Center, 1860 S. Blue Island Ave, Suite 303, Chicago, IL 60608
Artist: Mecca Elevated & Alex Agudo
Description: A sacred, feminine centered 8-WEEK dance workshop inspired and led by beginner friendly, Afro-Caribbean movement and music. Stretch begins on the mat with hip, core, & waistline sequences. Please arrive 15 minutes before class start time to settle in. Don't forget your water & mat.
Day/Time: Mondays, March 3 - April 21, 7-8 p.m.
Special Considerations: Workshops require participants to bring their own yoga mats, be able to move standing and through dance studio space for a duration of 45 minutes. All levels welcome. Beginners are encouraged. Short routines will be taught and learned weekly. Wear what makes you feel comfortable and divinely feminine. Wear clean sneakers for in-studio only. No street shoes, please and thank you. Please bring water
Sonnets and Sonics: Protect Your Peace
Session Location: Haji Healing Salon, 4448 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60653
Artist: Mecca Elevated and Nile Lansana
Description: Sonnets and Sonics is a collabration of writing and sound meditation. This is your invitation to dream, imagine, reflect and give reverence to the peace in your own life, how to incoporate it, or reflect on what gives you peace. Writing guided by Nile Lansana and sound meditation guided by Mecca Elevated.
Day/Time: Saturdays, March 15 - April 19, 2-3:30 p.m.
What's provided:
- Water
- Mats ( to lay on)
- Writing tools
Bring:
- Yourself
- Open heart and mind
- Any writing tools or anything you feel you may need to get comfy while sitting on your mat (shoes off for extra comfort)
Stems and Sounds
Session Location: L + A Healing Studio, 2018 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60616
Artist: Mecca Elevated & Alex Agudo
Description: Nourish your mind and body with a sound meditation, then let your creativity blossom as you are lead by L and A Healing Studio founder Alex Agudo, craft a beautiful mini bouquet in a floral arrangement workshop. All supplies are provided, so simply come ready to relax and create. Participation in both experiences are required.
Day/Time: Wednesday, March 19 & April 16, 1-2:30 p.m.
Please Note: Must register to attend with a vaild email address. Confirmatiions are sent out and must be replied to be confirmed. If you can't make it, please release your registeration, as supplies are proivided base on the registered guests.
Zen Wick & Flow
Session Location: Bikettle, 4024 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60639
Artist: Erica Marie & Melissa Coleman
Description: A unique candle-making and chair yoga workshop that blends creativity and gentle movement to promote relaxation, mindfulness, and self-care.
Day/Time: Sunday, April 6, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Artist Cohort 2025
Healing Arts Chicago is an innovative paid job training program that seeks to bridge the realms of arts, health, healing, and wellness. The program pays artists to apprentice in community clinics and become certified community health workers to amplify the proven benefits of arts engagement in fostering holistic recovery, well-being and social cohesion in communities.
Healing Arts Chicago is a collaborative effort between:
- City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) – Lead project administrator supporting overall program design and implementation
- Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) – Core project collaborator, supporting program design and participation of CDPH mental health centers
- City Colleges of Chicago – Provider of artist training and community health worker (CHW) certification
In its pilot phase, Healing Arts Chicago was funded through American Rescue Plan federal funds. The program was also part of a national arts and health initiative led by One Nation One Project. Through the Arts for EveryBody campaign, significant investments were made in research, evaluation, technical assistance, creative support, and peer networking opportunities across 18 participating municipal and community partner sites to foster equitable recovery and improved health in communities across America.
Mental Health Centre, 5801 N. Pulaski Road, 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60646
Natalia Cuevas
Natalia Cuevas (she/they) is a Mexican American artist, educator, and mentor, based in the city of Chicago and actively working towards building community, bridging cultures, and supporting youth through art based learning. Their creative practice is deeply rooted in their experiences growing up in Chicago with undocumented parents and draws from traditional Mexican iconography, folklore, and family stories of migration. Through interactive, immersive, and collaborative projects, they aim to cultivate spaces for community building and create platforms for storytelling as a form of celebration and healing.
“While my family moved repeatedly throughout my childhood, I spent most of my formative years in Albany Park and developed a deep and profound connection to the sense of community that echoes throughout the predominantly immigrant neighborhood. This sparked an innate desire to contribute to the culture and advocate for others. I am interested in the art and health aspects of this program because it is the essence and foundation of what drives my artistic and educational practice and continues to fuel my work as a member of the Albany Park and larger Chicago community.”
Erica Marie Serrano
“I am happy, healthy and healed.” This mantra is the foundation for my work in my community, Chicago, and beyond. I am a motivator! I am an educator and I am a coach. Through physical movement, mindfulness and gratitude work, I touch, move and inspire young people and adults to discover their best selves so they can live happy, healthy and healed lifestyles. My name is Erica Marie Serrano or Coach Erica Marie! My certifications are in Yoga, Personal Training, and Wellness.
“I am inspired by IMPACT, GROWTH, and LIFE CHANGES in the people I serve! Helping people help themselves by giving them tools to use to have a positive outlook on life in Chicago and beyond made me want to apply to CAHP Apprenticeship Program. Through this program my best hope is to expand my outreach and collaborate with others to use our artist talents to bring out the best in all the people we serve!”
Mental Health Centre, 641 W. 63rd St.
Chicago, IL 60621
Shannon Harris
As an international DJ, musician, composer, anthropologist, ethnomusicologist, label owner, videographer, Qi Gong instructor, humanitarian, pro-activist, healer, sound scientist and Audio Pharmacology™, Shannon Harris explores obscure territories, regions, genres, styles, and traditions through his work in the Healing Arts. Receiving a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Music as Wellness certificate from the Berklee College of Music, his work bridges the dualities of unconventional futurism and indigenous traditionalism using sound energy. His journey in the fields of art, music, science, and research spans four decades, six continents, and numerous cultural and spiritual traditions.
“My journey into the healing arts started after being diagnosed with several critical ailments at a young age. After finding solutions that helped myself and those around me, I decided to shift my career and outreach objectives to serve communities in need of tools to assist them along their wellness path. This program will empower me with certifications and clinical experience to continue my career aspirations within the healing arts.”
Mental Health Centre, 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
Chicago, IL 60653
Mecca Perry
Mecca Perry is a Certified Sound Meditation Facilitator, Founder of Elevated Mediation Studio, Wellness Podcaster, and Wellness Event Professional. She weaves her background in event production/culinary with modern and ancient wellness practices, all in the service of others. Mecca’s mission is to create bespoke sacred experiences that transform her clients' experience of themselves and the world. After a decade-long meditation practice, Mecca turned her passion into service. She completed over 300 hours of Sound and Meditation Training in Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; Tempe, AZ and Auroville, India.
“In my experience sound healing brings our body and mind into balance and harmony, this is one benefit that inspires my craft. Combining sound healing with community mental health care training will deepen my impact within the community and expand my knowledge as an individual.”
Health Hub, 1713 S. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
Leyda “Lady Sol” Garcia
Leyda “Lady Sol” Garcia is a proud XICANA and Chicago native who is globally recognized as a teaching artist, creative director, and street dance practitioner. She is a Co-Founder of Kuumba Lynx, Chicago's first all woman led Hip-Hip arts organization and a proud 3Arts Chicago Award winner. Lady Sol is a self-proclaimed “Professor of Practice” who has taught street dance workshops at Columbia College, Harvard U, Stanford U, and U of C.
“My inspiration is always family and community first. I have family members who have lost so much in this lifetime and I want to keep winning for them. My name is Leyda Garcia and I am Maria's immigrant daughter.”
Mental Health Centre, 4150 W. 55th St.
Chicago, IL 60632
Holiday Gerry
1st Gen Chicano and a Chicago native. As a CPS student, Holiday Gerry discovered his passion for the Arts in afterschool programs such as After School Matters. Today he is a professional artist, activist, and photographer with a passion for teaching. He believes in the power of art for personal transformation and building community.
“I am drawn to the program's focus on integrating the arts and mental health, as well as its emphasis on community health and wellness through arts-focused strategies. By participating in this program, I anticipate not only expanding my knowledge and skillset in creative therapies but also gaining valuable experience in social work. This will not only help me grow as an artist but also equip me with the tools to address the upcoming generations of young artists and the Larger Chicago community.”
Mental Health Centre, 1105 S. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60612
Nile Lansana
Nile Lansana is an acclaimed interdisciplinary artist from the South Side of Chicago. His work is centered around revealing radical truths and amplifying marginalized voices and narratives through a lens of Black imagination and visionary intention. He’s just trying to be even better than he was the last time!
“My work is centered around revealing radical truths and amplifying marginalized voices and narratives through a lens of Black imagination and visionary intention. I wanted to apply because arts & health are very important to the fabric of my being and I'm excited to engage deeply with how arts & health intersect and create liberating and healing spaces for folk to be moved through creative practice in a similar manner to how I continue to be moved and inspired every sunrise.”
Health Hub, 200 E. 115th St.
Chicago, IL 60628
Jeweline Hale
Jewel Hale is an interdisciplinary artist from Chicago, Illinois. She obtained her BA in theater studies from Northern Illinois University, received her MA in interdisciplinary arts from Columbia College Chicago, and her MS in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University. She is a certified wellness, SEL, and yoga instructor. She has been writing and performing professionally since 2012.
“I believe that education and holistic wellness practices are the keys to a bright and prosperous future for all Chicagoans. I am interested in the art and health aspect of this program because I have been teaching SEL with interdisciplinary art practices (through various organizations) to youth 4-15 years of age for over 5 years.”
Healing Arts Chicago Advisory Committee
Meet Healing Art Chicago’s advisory team. Participating members have expertise and experience at the intersection of arts, health, and wellness sectors. Our advisory provides support and advisement by helping to:
- Determine our community’s assets and strengths at the intersections of arts, health, and wellness
- Identify challenges and gaps in arts and health related work in Chicago
- Advise on potential opportunities and strategies to support artists’ future employment while addressing the national crisis in mental health care resources
As a current Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholar and Public Health PhD student in the Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration, Alex Rodriguez, MPH primarily pursues research with UF Center for Arts in Medicine’s Interdisciplinary Lab. Alex has had the opportunity to contribute to arts in public health research such as the Evidence Based Framework for Arts and Public Health, Defining “Arts Participation” for Public Health Research, and a WHO report on realizing the potential of the arts to support health in the US. Alongside her continued research at the University of Florida, Rodriguez is working with One Nation/One Project — a national arts and health project across 18 cities in the United States — as a National Research and Impact Associate. Academically, she also serves as an American Journal of Public Health Think Tank Board Member. Rodriguez has also developed a UF Honors course titled Leveraging the Arts to Promote Public Health which is currently offered at UF.
Leah Ra'chel Gipson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art Therapy and Counseling at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an instructor at the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy Chicago. She has presented at national and international professional convenings at Rutgers University, NYU, American Art Therapy Association, American Educational Research Assocation, National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China,10th Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights, Freetown, Sierra Leone, American Language Center, Fes, Morocco, Concordia, University, Montreal, Canada, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She is a former board member for A Long Walk Home, an arts-based organization led by Black women and girls that empowers young people to end gender based violence, and helped to establish ALWH’s Girl/Friends Leadership Institute in 2009. Leah is a registered and board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC), and a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) in Illinois, with a master’s degree in art therapy and a masters in theological studies. Her focus in counseling practice has included sexual and domestic violence, HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, substance use and addiction, and trauma and grief related to state and intrapersonal violence.
Susan D. Imus, LCPC, BC-DMT, GL-CMA, is a Professor at Columbia College Chicago where she currently co-coordinates the Arts in Health minor. She chaired the department of Creative Arts Therapy for 19 years which included co-founding six programs. Susan is a dancer by training having danced with 3 different companies in addition to acting in numerous theatrical productions. Susan currently works with Rush University Medical College and Rush Generations Center for Aging facilitating Arts in Health initiatives. She is currently co-leading a research study with Rush University and Columbia College Chicago funded by the National Endowment for the Arts on Dance for Health for older adults. She is an international consultant and educator to institutions throughout Asia and Europe.
Lisa L. Moore, LICSW, PhD is a senior lecturer and Director of the A.M. Program in social work, social policy and social administration at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at the University of Chicago. She has been a social work educator and practitioner for over 25 years. Her active projects involve working as a collaborator with colleagues from SAIC and UIC on the Intergenerational Dialogue Project at the Center on Addison. Her other work explores the labor of Black women in communities, institutions and families,and she writes on the intersections of race and psychoanalytic theory, and autoethnography. Her psychotherapy practice has focused on working with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence. She is a trained somatic experiencing practitioner, who resides in Chicago with her two children, a puppy, and a bearded dragon.
Veronica Nevarez is currently a Behavioral Health Care Coordinator at Esperanza Health Centers on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Veronica was drawn to Esperanza Health over ten years ago by her shared values of putting people first when providing quality care. She is most passionate about normalizing the need for mental health support and accessing services. In her free time, she enjoys reading and volunteering, recently served in the Open Books Associate Board and in the longest standing incorporated Latina organization in the nation; Mujeres Latinas En Accion Young Professional Advisory Council (YPAC).
Dr. Francisco Rodriguez is the director of the Greater Lawn clinic located in the southwest side of the city of Chicago close to Midway airport. Dr. Rodriguez has been with CDPH for over two decades. First as a clinical therapist and now as part of the leadership team in the mental health bureau. Dr. Rodriguez obtained his master’s in counseling psychology and his Doctorate in clinical psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Rodriguez was born in Mexico and immigrated to the States at age 17.
Kaoru Watanabe is currently the Associate Director of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial, and the Cambodian Association of Illinois. She is a nurse by training, who brings holistic and ecological approaches to the work with the community. Throughout her professional career, she has been interested in working with and facilitating dialogues among people and communities that bring different lived experiences and perspectives. She was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan; and worked in Cairo, Egypt before moving to Chicago. She has a BS in nursing from St. Luke’s College of Nursing (Japan) and an MS in nursing science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Pascale Ife Williams, PhD is a cultural organizer, educator, disruptor, healing justice practitioner, and community scholar. Ife is a Chicago native with over 15 years of experience in justice-driven arts and community-engaged work that explores and engages racial, gender, and wellness equity. She invites communities to co-design their realities through radical imagination, strategic visioning, and creative healing practices.
