Coral Springs Museum of Art launches new art therapy program to support veterans and teens through creativity and connection
Coral Springs, Florida – The Coral Springs Museum of Art is offering a unique opportunity for veterans and teens to explore their creativity while fostering emotional wellness through its new Art Therapy program. The initiative, launching this month and continuing through March 2026, is designed to help participants find stress relief, personal connection, and a safe space for self-expression.
Led by Board Certified Art Therapist Alicia Ballestas, the sessions focus on using art as a pathway for communicating feelings that can be difficult to articulate with words. “While a mental health therapist will use words with a patient to express thoughts and emotions, here we are using the process of making art,” Ballestas explained. “Sometimes a patient does know how they are feelings; the words just don’t come, but art can really be that pathway for someone to express what they are feeling.”
Ballestas brings years of experience helping vulnerable populations navigate life’s challenges through creativity. Her sessions at the Museum blend guided activities such as drawing meditations, breathing exercises, and individualized projects that cater to the needs and preferences of each participant. By emphasizing both artistic exploration and personal connection, the program aims to cultivate a sense of community and foster participants’ confidence in their own creativity.
“Sometimes you need the physical release through drawing, painting or other means, for the stories to come out naturally,” Ballestas said. “I hope the group not only takes away a sense of community, but also a sense of believing in their own creativity and a greater ability to be present in their own lives.”
The Art Therapy program offers sessions for veterans twice per month and for teens once per month, held on select Fridays. Veterans can participate free of charge, while teen participants are asked to contribute a modest $5 per session. Veteran sessions run from 10 to 11:30 a.m., with upcoming dates including December 5 and 19, January 2 and 16, February 6 and 20, and March 6 and 20. Teen sessions are scheduled from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on December 19, January 16, February 20, and March 20.
Museum Director Juliana Forero has been a strong advocate for bringing the program to life and emphasized the value of art in promoting emotional wellbeing. “The simple act of looking at art has been proven to support health and emotional wellbeing,” she said. “We are proud to offer such an important tool for mental wellness here at the Museum and look forward to seeing it flourish.”
By offering a structured yet flexible environment, the Museum ensures that participants of all artistic levels can engage comfortably and authentically. Small group sessions encourage interaction, discussion, and collaborative creativity, helping participants form bonds while exploring personal expression.
For veterans, the program offers an opportunity to decompress, share experiences, and translate feelings into creative work. Teens benefit from a supportive space to navigate emotional challenges, practice mindfulness, and build self-confidence through creative exercises. In both cases, the Museum aims to foster not only individual growth but also a sense of belonging and mutual support among participants.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the therapeutic power of art in enhancing mental health, complementing traditional therapy approaches. Ballestas emphasized that art therapy is not just about producing artwork but about the process itself. “The goal is not only artistic expression, but also personal connection,” she said.
Interested individuals can register online for the upcoming sessions, and additional details about the program, including dates and costs, are available on the Museum’s website. Through this program, the Coral Springs Museum of Art hopes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of both veterans and teens, offering them a creative outlet to process emotions, connect with others, and strengthen their mental wellness in a safe and supportive environment.
With the launch of this Art Therapy program, the Museum continues to expand its role as a community hub, combining the power of art with mental health support to benefit some of society’s most valued groups, one brushstroke at a time.
