Art & Expression Day
Art & Expression Workshop
"Create, Reflect, Empower"
Art Expression Day is one of ShePlaysToo’s core initiatives to promote mental health awareness and emotional growth among young women and children. Through guided seminars and hands-on creative activities, the event helps participants understand their feelings and use art as a safe, healthy outlet for expression.
Art Expression Day is designed around the belief that creativity is not just a talent—it’s a form of healing. By introducing psychology-based discussions and emotional education, we encourage participants to explore what they feel, reflect on it, and channel those emotions into drawings that represent their inner world.
Purpose
The main goal of Art Expression Day is to help participants:
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Recognize and understand their emotions through guided reflection.
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Develop emotional literacy — the ability to identify, name, and communicate feelings.
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Discover art as a tool for expression, healing, and self-discovery.
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Encourage confidence and openness through sharing and creative participation.
The event also builds empathy, self-awareness, and connection. By expressing themselves visually, participants learn that their emotions are valid and that every feeling—joy, sadness, anger, or fear—can be transformed into something meaningful.
Program Description
The day begins with a psychology seminar, led by facilitators who introduce participants to the basics of emotions—how they are formed, why we feel them, and how to express them safely.
Following the discussion, participants are given time and art materials to create their own drawings, inspired by their personal emotions or experiences. The drawing session acts as both a reflection and a release—allowing them to translate complex inner thoughts into colors, shapes, and symbols.
At the end of the session, participants are encouraged (if they feel comfortable) to share their artwork and the meaning behind it. This open sharing fosters trust, empathy, and connection among peers, reinforcing that no one is alone in their feelings.
Activities
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Psychology Seminar:
A short, engaging session explaining basic emotions, emotional triggers, and healthy coping strategies. -
Art Creation Session:
Participants draw or paint to express their emotions using various mediums—crayons, watercolor, colored pencils, or markers. -
Reflection & Sharing:
Group discussion where participants describe their art and the emotions behind it, helping them develop self-awareness and communication skills. -
Closing Session:
Words of affirmation and encouragement from facilitators to end the day with positivity and pride.
Why We Do It
In many communities, especially among underprivileged youth, emotions are often misunderstood or suppressed. ShePlaysToo believes that creating a safe, creative space for expression is vital for building resilience and emotional wellbeing.
By combining psychological education with artistic freedom, Art Expression Day helps participants reconnect with their inner selves and discover that vulnerability can be transformed into beauty, strength, and understanding.
Impact
Through Art Expression Day, dozens of young participants have learned to view their emotions as a source of power, not weakness. Many have shared that it was their first time expressing sadness, anger, or hope through art—and that the experience made them feel seen, understood, and lighter.
The event continues to grow as part of ShePlaysToo’s mission to promote mental health awareness and empowerment through creativity.
