Art abounds on Fridays at Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance (DSAA), when Art Heals classes are held for people in recovery. The works that students created over the past year will be displayed at the Art Heals Art Show, to be held on Friday, Jan. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"People in this class are living in recovery housing, so it's still early in their recovery," noted Stacy Emminger, executive director of DSAA. "Our instructor is a retired art professor, and she has 39 years of recovery herself. She shares her experiences, talks about what art has done for her and talks about how it's been an integral part of her recovery."

While the program focuses on art, Emminger noted the Friday sessions have a festive atmosphere. "We have snacks, we play music. It's more like a party," she said, adding that her pit bull, Blaze, is often in attendance. "The people who come just love him."

Emminger said many of the Art Heals participants are hesitant to get started when they first come to an Art Heals class. "So many of them are like, 'I'm not an artist. I don't know how to do this,'" she shared. "Then you see their work, and it's like, 'Wow!'"

Emminger credits instructor Nancy Mendes with encouraging participants to explore their creative side, even if they have no art experience at all. "Part of the lesson she teaches is to put ego aside," Emminger remarked. "You may be saying to yourself, 'I'm not an artist,' but put that aside. Don't listen to that voice. Use the colors and the medium we're doing that day, and let the art come through you. That's your spirit coming through."

Art plays an important role in recovery, Emminger said. "When you're using substances, you're essentially burying your soul and you're out of touch with your feelings. You're using to avoid your feelings," she stated. "Art - and all the humanities like poetry, music, writing - brings you back in touch with your soul. Art helps you process emotions."

When participants complete the Art Heals class, they have the option of taking their artwork home with them or leaving it at DSAA. "They know if they leave it, it's going to be in the art show," Emminger said, noting that the timing of the show corresponds with Mount Joy's Festival of the Arts. The artists will come a day or two before the show to help set up the room with panels and temporary walls to display the art. "We set it up like a gallery, and we hang the pieces," Emminger commented. "They are always amazed to see their art up on the wall."

Artwork is available to take home by donation at the show. For more information on DSAA, http://www.dsasquared.org or search for "DSAA - Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance" on Facebook.