Painting with Marie

Every other month an art instructor comes to Hale Makua Kahului to teach painting classes. During the two to two and a half hour painting class, residents are taught painting techniques and complete an entire painting on their own. The oil on canvas paintings are then framed and displayed in the Weinberg entrance to Hale Makua. We have some very talented painters at Hale Makua.

According to MyOptumHealth.com some of the therapeutic benefits of art can include:

• Self-healing. Art therapy can help you come to terms with your feelings by identifying and working through anger, resentment and other emotions. This is especially helpful during or after a traumatic incident or illness. In this way it may restore or refresh your spirit.
• Personal fulfillment. Creating a piece of art can build confidence and nurture feelings of self-worth.
• Empowerment. Art therapy can help you express emotions and fears you may not be able to say with words. This can give you some sense of control over your feelings.
• Relaxation and stress relief. Chronic stress can harm both mind and body. Art therapy can be used alone or together with other relaxation techniques to help relieve stress and anxiety.
• Symptom relief. Art therapy may also help you cope with pain. It can be prescribed to accompany pain control therapy for chronically and terminally ill patients.