By Dianne Ace
The guest speaker for the June meeting of Voices United was Maryam Flory, vice president of The Art Room, who spoke to the members about the nonprofit art studio which gives Denton residents with mental health issues a place to express themselves creatively.
She said the vision of The Art Room is to provide "an active, vibrant studio space where the people of Denton find the power of hope and healing through creativity and our non-traditional therapeutic process."
The Art Room has programs for adults aged 18 to 99, teens and veterans. Adults are encouraged to start or continue their creative journey. The participants can participate in classes led by artists who provide instructions in a variety of skills, or work on their individual projects.
On Tuesday nights, teens can participate in a class or work on their projects.
The Art Room worked with the Denton County Veterans Community Navigator and the Military Veteran Peer Program to establish Arts for Veterans this year. The Art Room offers veterans the "regenerative and therapeutic power of art, through creative self-expression, artistic skill building, and connections." Art Room participant projects can include classic drawing and painting, print making, leather working, sewing, hand molding, 3-D multi-media and weaving.
For the past several years, The Art Room has celebrated North Texas Giving Day by donating a Collaborative Community Art Project to another nonprofit organization. In 2023, they gave a collage to the Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center. The collage was created using 1550 individual artist trading cards made by 200+ artists.
The Art Room opened in 2019 and operates out of a 1,500 sq. ft. studio in Denton. The studio is equipped with high end art supplies as well as the basics, such as crayons and markers. The operation is dependent on its volunteers to provide the services to the community. Every art session is staffed by two volunteers, an art teacher and a mental health professional. There are only three part time employees.
The group holds several fund-raising events. The most recent was the Positive Cycology Bike Ride in May. Anyone wishing to support The Art Room can do so by volunteering, making a financial contribution or by spreading the word about their mission. You can find them at https://theartroomdenton.org.