Devereux Texas young adults showcase their creative talents during art show

Individuals who receive services at Devereux Texas’ League City campus recently showcased their talent and passion for art at the organization’s eighth annual art show.

Young adults enrolled in Devereux Texas’ residential program voted on a theme - “Visual Poetry” - and spent several months creating artwork or writing poems to share with team members, as well as their peers.

Actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein once said, “Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate.”

Individuals who receive services at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Texas’ League City campus recently showcased their talent and passion for art at the organization’s eighth annual art show.

Young adults enrolled in Devereux Texas’ residential program voted on a theme – “Visual Poetry” – and spent several months creating artwork or writing poems to share with team members, as well as their peers.

“This year’s art show was amazing! We are incredibly proud of our individuals who worked so hard to produce beautiful and meaningful works of art and craft inspiring poems,” said Devereux Texas Executive Director Pam Reed. “Our staff was thrilled to have an opportunity to bid on the artwork during a silent auction. All of the funds raised will go toward the purchase art supplies or other materials for the program.”

Expressing emotions through art

Devereux Texas Clinical Therapist Tiina Anttila LPC, RPT, who organized the art show with her co-therapist, David Castele, LMSW, says she has seen the positive impact of therapeutic art activities on the individuals she serves.

“Therapeutic art activities encourage individuals to express and understand emotions through the creative process,” Anttila explained. “Many of our young adults have experienced some form of trauma or loss in their young lives. Therapeutic art offers these individuals a safe outlet to reveal their thoughts and feelings, and provide them with a deeper understanding of themselves.

Anttila says the individuals she serves fully immersed themselves in producing artwork and poetry for the art show.

“There is no right or wrong way to make art. I asked my individuals to put their perfectionism aside and be gentle with themselves and others.” Anttila noted. “Everyone has a story, and every story is unique. Our young adults were eager to share the stories behind their artwork. We held the art show in our cafeteria, and one individual was so excited, he asked all those who walked by to come inside and see what he and his peers had created.”

Learn more about Devereux Texas, and learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

Latest News

		Devereux MA/RI celebrates opening of new residence hall for youth with special needs Devereux Massachusetts and Rhode Island recently celebrated the opening of a new residence hall for children, adolescents and young adults living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences.
		Celebrating Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes: Spotlight on Devereux Arizona Nursing Supervisor Heather Hanrahan At Devereux, our employees are at the heart of everything we do - and are key to our success. Learn how Devereux Arizona Nursing Supervisor Heather Hanrahan is serving and inspiring others every day.
		Devereux makes significant investments in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion As part of its commitment to combatting racism and fostering an equitable and inclusive work environment where cultural diversity is celebrated and valued, Devereux continues to make significant investments in its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion organizational transformation.
		Former Devereux Pennsylvania CBHS youth focuses on bright future Whether he is filling out college applications, applying for scholarships or exploring internship opportunities, 17-year-old old Xavier Stagg is focused on his future - one full of endless possibilities.
		Study using the DECA Program highlights value of social-emotional feedback A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Charlotte using the Devereux Center for Resilient Children’s (DCRC) Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) Program highlights the value of providing teachers with social and emotional feedback about the children in their classrooms.
		Devereux Pocono’s Michelle Wonders discusses signs, symptoms of depression on Radio.com’s Special Edition podcast In recognition of Depression Awareness Month in October, Devereux Pocono Clinical Director Michelle Wonders, Psy.D., discusses the signs and symptoms of depression, and how to get help if you are struggling, on Radio.com’s Special Edition podcast. (Note: To listen to Wonders’ segment, go to timecode 16:30.)
		Celebrating Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes: Spotlight on Devereux Colorado Learning Manager Danyelle Grajeda At Devereux, our employees are at the heart of everything we do - and are key to our success. Learn how Devereux Colorado Learning Manager Danyelle Grajeda is serving and inspiring others every day.
		Devereux welcomed as affiliate partner of National Federation of Families Devereux was recently welcomed as an affiliate partner of the National Federation of Families, a family-run organization focused on improving the lives of children with mental health and/or substance use challenges - and their families.