Art for Relaxation Therapy
Bringing Joy through ART to those in need
I created Art for Relaxation Therapy (ART) when I was 12 years old. It’s really very simple, I wanted to help and give back to those in need with my passion for art.
My dream is to build an art filled community built on shared experiences and support.
When we donate ART Packs and teach ART Lessons… our hope is to ‘Bring joy through ART to those in need’.
We truly believe that everyone is an artist, and encourage the process of sharing ourselves through artistic expression with our students.
The ART’s team travels to locations throughout Orange County to share our love of art.
The recipients of the ART Packs and the ART Lessons my team and I design are meant to inspire and encourage our new friends to create, journal and express themselves.
Many lessons incorporate historical references and the works of specific artists that can be related to experiences of our shared human condition.
The online tutorials offer flexibility for students to continue to expand their skills. The site is also designed for students to post their work, in the hope that through their participation in the ART program an online community of support and friendship will be fostered.
DONATIONS - EVENTS - VIRTUAL LESSONS
Through ART Pack, ART Bag, ART Mini,
& ART Pack-Backpack donations,
On-site ART Lessons, Virtual ART Lessons,
Studio Series Teen ART Lessons, ART Family Fun Nights, ART Workshops, and ART Community Service Projects -
Art for Relaxation Therapy
has reached 2500+ recipients and
have donated 1700+ ART Packs to date!
Virtual lessons:
Online ART Lessons and tutorials
Art for Relaxation Therapy is a 100% donation based organization.
Click above to make a donation today and 'Bring joy through ART to those in need' too!
Donations:
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ART Packs to CHOC Orange County
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ART Packs to Guatemala, South America
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ART Packs to the Boys and Girls Club of Anaheim
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Custom ART worksheets for Open House event
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ART Packs to American Family Housing
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ART Packs to CASA Youth Shelter
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ART Minis and ART Packs to CHLA
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ART Pack Backpacks - Haiti, Costa Rica, El Hueco, Calcutta
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ART Bags to CHOC
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CHLA customized ART Minis for the Out-Patient Program
Events:
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ART Lessons - The Boys and Girls Club
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ART Lessons - The Potters House
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ART Lessons - American Family Housing
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ART Lessons - Casa Youth Center
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Family Nights - Children's Hospital Orange County
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Global ART Lessons - Children's Hospital Orange County
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ART Workshop activations - Segerstrom Center for the Arts (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
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Segerstrom Center for the Arts - 'Play Me' Piano project
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Monthly CHOC Global ARTists Series ART Lessons
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CHOC Studio ART Series - Individual monthly ART Lessons
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Virtual ART Lessons - CHOC / Seacrest Studios
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The Gluck Foundation / Boys & Girls Club Virtual ART Lesson Series
THE ART TEAM
CASSIDY
FUNDRAISING
ART CLASS TEAM
she/her
RAVI
TREASURER
ART CLASS TEAM
he/him
COREY
FACILITATOR
ART CLASS TEAM
they/she/he
JOEY
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
EDITOR
he/him
RADEN
VIDEOGRAPHER
ART CLASS TEAM
she/her
JOHNNY
ART CLASS TEAM
he/him
HANNAH
ART CLASS TEAM
she/her
JEANNETTE
ART CLASS TEAM
she/her
SVARA
ART CLASS TEAM
she/her
ELLEYSE
ART CLASS TEAM
they/them
AVALON
FOUNDER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
she/they
HOW ABOUT YOU?
A big Thank you and a huge hug to all the kids that create these amazing personal works of art to be included in each ART Pack!
A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME
"Avalon LaFosse is a brilliant musician and artist, and above all a great writer -- I expect to be getting signed first editions of her novels before we're all too much older!"
-- Tim Powers, author of The Anubis Gates, Declare, and On Stranger Tides.
"Ms. Lafosse is one of those rare individuals whose passion for the arts is contagious. She inspires everyone lucky enough to cross paths with her. But ART is not built on enthusiasm alone—the organization itself is a well-oiled machine. Structured, meticulous and systematic, the ART concept is turn-key and ready for deployment in any program, with beautiful results. Working with ART has been a joy and an inspiration."
-– Courtney Donley, Special Events Manager, Segerstrom Center for the Arts
"Art supplies, a ukulele, and a team of dedicated teens set the stage for a beautiful program – Art for Relaxation Therapy. Avalon and her team arrived prepared and with such vibrant energy that made all of our members feel at ease. When it came to the lessons, it didn’t matter that our kiddos weren’t artists, everyone including Avalon took the time to walk around and give every kiddo personalized attention. Overall, our members loved the program and our staff appreciated working with such a great team!" Thanks Avalon!
--Boys & Girls Clubs of Anaheim
"Avalon and her ART organization do an amazing job of providing art to a variety of children. She not only makes art available for children who are confined to hospitals but she provides art for the community as a whole. She has a very kind heart and so much patience with the kids. Anything Avalon sets her mind to, she succeeds at. She outdoes herself with every goal she sets and is the perfect person to lead this wonderful program to even bigger and better things."
-- Michelle Stern, 6th grade teacher
"The Art for Healing and Relaxation classes have become a favorite for our patients and families. Avalon is amazing in what she does and our patients have loved the different type of art lessons that have been offered. We haven't had an art program at CHOC in a very long time we are very excited about this partnership! Thank you for everything you do to bring lots of smiles and brighten the day for our patients and families."
-- Children's Hospital of Orange County
"Avalon has worked tirelessly to bring happiness, creativity, and kindness into the lives of children and their families. Her efforts to crowdfund for supplies needed has always been done so with a tactful and gracious spirit, and her goals have always exceeded her need. Avalon’s love for art is second only to her love of teaching. I have not met another person so giving, so patient, or so kind."
-- Lexi Younger, OCSA counselor
"American Family Housing (AFH) is an Orange County non-profit that provides supportive services and housing for homeless and at-risk families and individuals. AFH is so grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in an art lesson hosted by ART. The children had a blast learning about Yayoi Kusama and creating art inspired by her work: Happy Pumpkins.
Art is a great outlet for children as they are able to freely express their unique perspectives without judgment. The ART team were great with the kids, especially during the dance break!
Thank you Avalon for your vision and mission with ART. This experience has left the kids with a positive impact. The AFH kids have expressed interest in learning more about art and are eager to create more projects.
- -American Family Housing