Introducing the Art + Wellness Series: Nurturing Creativity and Emotional Health Through Art
This Mental Health Awareness Month, Art in Action is proud to introduce the Art + Wellness Series—a new collection of simple, mindful art activities designed to support emotional well-being and creative expression in your classroom or small group setting. Available exclusively for current subscribers, this series is a powerful new tool to help students regulate emotions, manage stress, and engage in self-discovery—all through the power of art.
Why Art + Wellness?
Art isn’t just a creative outlet—it’s a research-backed path to emotional wellness. Studies have shown that making art can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), support emotional regulation, and boost cognitive function, including memory and problem-solving skills. When students are given the space to externalize their emotions through art, they become better equipped to manage their inner world and engage more fully in learning.
This is especially important now. With rising awareness around student mental health, teachers and parents are looking for meaningful ways to support kids beyond academics. That’s where Art + Wellness comes in—providing accessible, creative tools that promote mindfulness, resilience, and emotional expression. And because it launches during Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to integrate it into your routine.
What Is the Art + Wellness Series?
The Art + Wellness Series is a collection of process-based activities called Simple Sparks, specifically designed for grades 4–8, but easily adaptable for younger students—or even adults! These activities include titles like Paperclip Doodle, Press-Fade, and Shaped Feelings—each one offering a guided moment of self-reflection and creativity.
Unlike traditional art lessons focused on a final product, these Sparks encourage emotional exploration through the act of creating. They’re meant to be used repeatedly and flexibly, whether for a 10-minute brain break, part of a social-emotional learning (SEL) block, or a quiet moment after recess or lunch.
Each Spark includes:
A downloadable PDF with clear instructions
Simple material lists (most items are already in your classroom)
Prompts for checking in on feelings before and after the activity
You’ll find them available now on the Teach website—free to all Art in Action subscribers.
How to Use the Series in Your Classroom
Getting started is easy. We recommend creating Spark bins—small containers with the materials needed for each activity. These bins can be pulled out whenever your students need a moment to reset, reflect, or recharge.
Each Spark includes an inner feelings check—a short moment before and after the activity where students reflect on their emotions. This not only builds emotional awareness, but helps track the calming or energizing effect of the art-making process.
Importantly, emphasize the process, not the product. There’s no “right” way to do a Spark—what matters is that students feel safe, supported, and encouraged to express themselves freely.
As with all Art in Action programs, the Art + Wellness Series aligns with SEL goals and supports whole-child learning. The activities are short, simple, and designed to be a sustainable part of your classroom rhythm.
Start Today
If you’re a current Art in Action subscriber, head to the Teach website to download the Art + Wellness Series and start exploring with your students. Whether it’s for a brain break, morning meeting, or end-of-day wind down, these Sparks will bring a breath of calm, a spark of creativity, and a whole lot of heart into your classroom.
Art makes us feel better—and now, you have everything you need to make that happen.
