Viewing Art Rewards the Brain
- Laura Tuomisto, ATR-BC, CTT
- Apr 14, 2016
- 4 min read
In preparing for the Art: the Road to Recovery art show, (a collaborative effort between Western State Hospital, NAMI, Mental Health America of Augusta, the Staunton Augusta Art Center and Shenandoah Art Therapy) in addition to learning about some other community opportunities to view art, I got thinking about the potential hidden benefits for not only the artists involved, but also for those who come view the show. So, after doing a little digging, I was pleased to see that many other people had this same question and went on to research and write about it. Below is a list of the themes I came across of how viewing art is beneficial, followed by some opportunities coming up in our community to put these findings to the test! Please enjoy and feel free to comment on your experiences interacting with artwork.
Top 3 benefits of viewing artwork:
1. Viewing art activates the reward center part of the brain in the same region that is activated by drug and gambling addictions (Pedersen, 2015). Several other studies have found similar results showing that when we view art, we are processing emotion and activating the pleasure center in our brain (Bergado, 2014). Viewing art allowed chemically addicted women in recovery to reconnect with their feelings and engage deeper in their recovery (Feen-Calligan, et al., 2008).
2. Viewing art decreases stress. A 2006 study found that when people with high stress levels went in to view artwork for only 35 minutes, their cortisol, or stress hormone decreased.
3. Viewing art increases empathy, tolerance and critical thinking skills. A survey of over 10,000 students showed this to be true after the students toured an art museum. Interestingly enough, they found this to be especially true for students in rural schools or in high-poverty areas (Greene, 2014). It has also been observed through survey that mental health-focused art shows can increase empathy and lead to potential social change (Potash, 2010).
In reflecting on my own experiences viewing artwork, I can certainly see the potential of all the benefits listed above. Naturally, as an art therapist, I often find myself observing the formal elements of artwork and thinking about the symbolism. As someone who also appreciates art, I find myself attempting to put myself in the artist's shoes to think about the process of making the piece and what I might feel, think and be experiencing if I were creating the same imagery. Finally, I reflect on the many times when I saw something in an art piece that just spoke to something that I feel, think or experience and in that moment, I can take the liberty of projecting that onto the piece and take comfort in knowing that I am not alone.
Bergado, G. (2014). Science Shows Art Can Do Incredible Things for Your Mind and Body. Retrieved on April 13, 2016,
from http://mic.com/articles/106504/science-shows-that-art-is-having-fantastic-effects-on-our-brains-and-
bodies#.2Ju5B7qt8
Feen-Calligan, H., Washington, O. G. M, Moxley, D. P. (2008). Use of artwork as a visual processing modality in group
treatment of chemically dependent minority women. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 35(4), pp. 287–295.
Greene, J. (2014). The Educational Value of Field Trips. Retrieved on April 13th, 2016, from http://educationnext.org/the-
educational-value-of-field-trips/
Pedersen, T. (2015). Brain Feels Rewarded While Looking at Art. Psych Central. Retrieved on April 13, 2016, from
http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/01/09/brain-feels-rewarded-while-looking-at-art/22415.html
Potash, J. S. (2010) Guided relational viewing: Art therapy for empathy and social change to increase understanding of
people living with mental illness (Doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis). Retrieved on April 13th, 2016,
from http://hub.hku.hk/bitstream/10722/128572/3/FullText.pdf?accept=1
Need an opportunity to test out these benefits yourself?
Join in the fun at the following events, starting TONIGHT:
Craig Snodgrass' No Saves art show tonight at the Staunton Augusta Art Center, starting at 5:00 pm.
QUEEN CITY PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
April 21st - 23rd in downtown Staunton
What is the QUEEN CITY PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL?
"Twenty-three established plein air painters (French for “in the open air”) from Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia will be in Staunton and Augusta County for three days of painting followed by the sale of their paintings in the BSSS Gallery. Artists will be painting historic downtown Staunton, gardens of Staunton homes open during the Historic Garden Week Tour, Polyface Farms in Swoope and Rolling Hills Farm on Bells Lane."
Friday, April 22 - Paint Staunton is a three hour quick draw competition followed by an exhibit and sale that is open to the public. Amateurs to professionals welcomed! Adults $15/Students 18 and under $10. $750 in prize money to the winning artist in the professional and amateur categories! Sale will be from 1:45 to 2:30at the Sunspots Pavilion. Entry information can be found at: www.queencitypleinair.org Whether you participate or just want to come out to watch, we hope you will join us for this amazing event showcasing beautiful downtown Staunton. Saturday, April 23 - ART SALE! Join BSSS and 24 esteemed Plein Air artists for a Fresh Paint Gallery Sale and Reception with over 100 pieces of Art! Sale located in the Beverley Street Studio School Gallery - 22 W. Beverley St, Staunton. Be one of the first to view the collection of paintings at the Preview Party from 5:00-5:30! Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10. Public reception following from 5:30-7:30pm
Come and view the beautiful works of art created by our outstanding artists during their THREE days of painting in Staunton and Augusta County.
Art: the Road to Recovery art show public reception will be May 6th from 6-8 pm, held at the R.R. Smith Center for Art and History (20 S. New Street, Staunton, VA)
As always, feel free to join us for our open studios, every Thursday from 6-7:30 pm. All ages are welcome and no experience with art materials is necessary.
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