Art as a tool for wellbeing, provides a creative space to explore emotions, discover new insights, and express oneself freely.
Engaging with the arts supports gently good mental health. Encourages reflection, fresh perspectives and transformation to flow playfully through colors and forms.
ABOUT YOU
When words fall short or become overwhelming, art as therapy can help you explore challenges, limitations, dreams, and hopes. We believe that drawing and painting are innate instincts everyone possesses.
Immersing yourself in a guided art making session, offers a welcome pause- and opportunity to open the door to personal discovery, creative expression, and a deeper understanding of yourself in a nurturing and inspiring setting.
NO ART SKILL REQUIRED TO PARTICIPaTE
Hello! I am Penelope
My parents are islanders. I enjoy the sea, the seabed and swimming like a fish. In winter, I wrap myself in scarves and woollen sweaters and live in a small Swiss alpine village.
Based in Greece and Switzerland, I am dedicated to showcasing the transformative power of art for mental health and wellbeing.
As an Art Psychotherapist and Mental Health Neuroscientist I bring over a decade of experience leading groups across Europe and Asia.
Based on art therapy principles, our programs offer a safe space with small groups, providing non-judgmental guidance and skillful management of group dynamics.
Through playful and creative intuitive art-making, participants are led to thoughtful reflection.
Person-centered and trauma-informed approach, fostering self-discovery through questions explored via the art.
From Hippocrates to Neuroscience
Art in the form of theatre and music were prescribed together with sports, diet and herbs as part of a toolbox of medical remedies and interventions in ancient Greece.
Fast forward couple of thousand years and the belief stays firm. Evidence from 3,000 studies about the positive impact of arts in health was presented by the World Health Organisation in 2019. Canada and UK's health systems prescribe free visits to museums as a way to help people suffering from post trauma, anxiety and stress. Dance, music and painting are among the most used art therapy techniques.
Modulation of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin (involved in mood, sleep, digestion, bone health) and cortisol (known as the primary stress hormone), as well as decrease of inflammation, together with promotion of neurogenesis and new neural connections are among the first findings of the positive effects of culture in mental health and health overall (WHO, 2022).
"Artful Retreats are unique in mental wellness travel"
The National Geographic
"Arts for Health is a Creative Solution for Complex Challenges."
Niels Fietje of WHO, for the European Parliament,Culture Health and Wellbeing, 2022
Who Are We?
We lead facilitated art making activities to support the mental health of groups and individuals.
Contact Info
artfulretreats@icloud.com
Switzerland
+41 (0) 79 600 11 64
(WhatsApp available)
GREECE
+30 698 58 75 903
(Viber available)