Picasso once said, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he [or she] grows up.”

By reawakening the artist in adults who struggle with drug, alcohol and mental health issues, Odyssey House’s expressive arts program also reawakens their spirits and lives.

For more than a decade, our expressive arts studio has been a therapeutic oasis for clients of our residential treatment and housing programs, enabling residents to find new ways to exercise their creativity and communicate their feelings. Art helps clients to open up, which also opens doors to improved treatment and healing.

Additionally, art helps fill the empty space in lives shattered by years of substance abuse. It replaces the negativity of drugs and alcohol with a positive activity that clients can continue to enjoy once they leave Odyssey House to enrich their lives. As one client said, “Art has a redemptive power. No matter how dark your past is, you can use it to create something beautiful.”

Every year, we invite all our clients to participate in the Odyssey House Art Project, which culminates in an exhibition of their work. The annual event has become a focal point for our clients and a public showcase of art’s powerful ability to help people find beauty, meaning, and purpose in their lives.

As a client of our residential treatment program, you will have the opportunity to rediscover the artist inside of you through our expressive arts program. Together with other residents, you will also be able to attend galleries, film screenings, and other activities to learn more about art and how it can enhance your life.