ART & HAPPINESS
The connection between the arts and happiness is not only intuitive, but also supported by science!
Research shows that engaging in artistic and creative activities can result in:
- Lower levels of stress and anxiety
- Fewer symptoms of depression
- Increased resilience
- Improved physical health, and more
The arts give us a platform to process, understand, and express our emotions. They also improve our overall wellbeing by helping us get into a state of “flow”, which positive psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi defined as the mental state of being fully immersed and focused in an activity that is intrinsically rewarding.
As Dr. James Pawelski stated in the World Happiness Summit® Art & Happiness Panel, in addition to academic and economic value, there is a value in the arts for our wellbeing.
If you are an artist who would like to showcase art for our page please submit your artwork to [email protected] or click on the button below.
What does a happier world look like?
Students celebrating happiness through art and poetry.
The WOHASU Foundation and Al Oerter Foundation teamed up to invite schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties to participate in a contest using the prompt “What does a happier world look life?” Below the voices of students from schools such as Gulliver Preparatory Academy are shared through letter and color.
Painter
Romero Britto
“Art and Happiness are too important not to share.”
Romero Britto, the founder of the Happy Art Movement, is an international artist whose mission is to share happiness with his vivid color palettes, iconic imagery, and fun-filled scenes. The Happy Art Movement mission is to share love, happiness and optimism around the globe through its unique art and colors.
Britto has created a visual language of love, hope, and happiness inspiring millions worldwide. He generously created the artwork for the first World Happiness Summit®, where he shared his passion and purpose with the WOHASU Community.
Watch Romero Britto’s 2020 WOHASU Reflection, Art & Happiness.
Photography
Mandy Seligman
She is a fine art, prize-winning photographer and a member of the SohoPhoto Gallery in New York City. Mandy is currently working on “Scarred Beauty”: A photographic exhibit that explores spirituality, mindfulness, and the power of art to heal.
Music
Nathan Leigh Jones
Nathan Leigh Jones, currently undertaking a PhD in Experimental Psychology at the University of Adelaide, studies the impact of music and lyrics on emotional wellbeing. Nathan believes if we can harness the power of music, we can change our emotions, change our behavior, and ultimately change the world.
Listen to the Resilience Playlist that Nathan curated especially for WOHASU.