UofM’s Institute for Arts and Health to Host Symposium on Connecting Mind and Body to Bring Healing Through the Arts on Monday

April 27, 2023 — The University of Memphis Institute for Arts and Health will host a symposium on connecting mind and body to bring healing through the arts on Monday, May 1 from 1-6 p.m. at the UofM’s Humphreys Theatre Building, Main Stage, located at 3745 Central Ave. Admission is free and open to the public.

Art can be therapeutic for both the body and mind. In fact, it’s been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression while promoting relaxation and self-expression. This inaugural symposium will feature presentations and discussions by some of the leading local experts in the field of arts and health.

Some of the topics covered will include trauma healing, resilience and the impact of art and design collaborations. We'll also explore how traumatic experiences affect the voice, and how expressive arts processes can be utilized in implementing after-school group interventions to address trauma among African refugees.

"The UofM's Institute for Arts and Health is excited to host this important symposium on the power of the arts to heal and recover from trauma," said Dr. Ryan Fisher, interim dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts. "Our sessions will offer practical information, grounded in research and engaged scholarship, for how arts and design can be used to recover from traumatic experiences."

Sessions will be presented by distinguished individuals, including:

• Susan Elswick - UofM Professor in the Department of Social Work
• Ebony Barnes - Project Coordinator at the Center for the Advancement of Youth Development
• Christy Peterson – Assoc. Director at the Center for the Advancement of Youth Development
• Virginia Reed Murphy - Founder and Director of PlayBack Memphis
• Kiley Hazelton - UofM Doctoral Student in the School of Communication Sciences & Disorders
• Jazmin Miller - Executive Director at the Carpenter Art Garden
• Kelsey Harrison - UofM Assistant Professor in the Department of Art & Design
• Jenna Thompson - UofM Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture

"We are excited to bring together such an esteemed group of experts in the field of arts and health," said Fisher. "Our hope is that the symposium will provide a platform for meaningful discussion and foster new collaborations that will advance the field of arts and health in the Mid-South." 

Free parking will be available at the Fogelman Drive Garage on Fogelman Way. Light beverages and refreshments will also be served.

To RSVP and sign up for Continuing Education Units, go to https://memphis.edu/artsandhealth.