Imagine a woman sitting silently in a circle of strangers, a paintbrush trembling in her hand. She hasn’t spoken all day. Around her, others dip into palettes of color and begin to express what words cannot. Slowly, she starts to paint too. By the end of the session, she’s laughing. Once buried by trauma and stigma, her voice begins to rise again, not just through words, but through the healing power of art.
This moment isn’t hypothetical. It happens every week across Tennessee through the work of Healing Arts Project, Inc. (HAPI). For individuals living with mental health and addiction recovery challenges, HAPI is more than an organization. It is a catalyst for expression, belonging, and transformation.
Who We Are
At HAPI, we believe in the human right to healing, creativity, and visibility. Our mission is to provide free art classes, exhibition opportunities, and public platforms for people in recovery. Art becomes a tool for expression, resilience, and reconnection, not only for the artists but also for the broader communities who witness their work.
From Nashville to Tullahoma, Clarksville to Shelbyville, we bring professional teaching artists into peer support centers statewide. Every brushstroke, poem, sculpture, and song tells a story, and every story reminds us that healing isn’t linear, but it is possible.
From Awareness to Action
We know that awareness alone doesn’t reduce stigma or change lives; action does. That is why we create public exhibitions, publications, and community events that elevate the voices of our artists. We don’t just show their work; we show their strength.
Over 90% of participants report increased confidence, improved social skills, and better coping mechanisms through our programs. These aren’t just statistics; they are indicators of lives being reclaimed, relationships being rebuilt, and futures being reimagined.
Upcoming Events
- Arts & Advocacy Conference – With the theme, “Artopia Building Community & Connections,” HAPI
Presented by HAPI, this Arts & Advocacy Conference brings together artists, advocates, and changemakers for a full day dedicated to creativity, connection, and healing through the arts.
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM CT
Location: Nossi College of Art & Design
590 Creative Way, Nashville, TN 37115Registration is required: Register here
Join us as we explore how the arts can strengthen communities and uplift voices through advocacy and shared expression.
Full details and the schedule, along with workshop highlights, are available during registration. -
Community Connections – A day to develop connections within our community. Join us on August 9, 2025, for this opportunity to connect with local artists, peer supports, mental health professionals, and art lovers.
- Service of Hope – Join us for a special gathering in recognition of individuals on the journey of mental health and substance use recovery. This year’s theme, “Words of Resilience: Overcoming Adversity,” honors the strength it takes to heal and move forward, and celebrates recovery through reflection, support, and creative expression.
- Fall 2025 Creative Recovery Workshops – A series of public workshops highlighting the intersection of healing, art, and collective action.
Let’s Heal Together
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn awareness into action, this is it: support art as a tool for recovery. Invite HAPI to your community. Sponsor a workshop. Attend an exhibition. Or simply listen to the stories behind the canvas.
Healing happens not just in clinics or therapy rooms. It happens when we make space for people to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
For more information about HAPI, visit our website at healingartsprojectinc.org.