We’re thrilled to recognize our favorite art therapy practitioner at this week’s second annual “Our Voices Ourselves” Breakfast. Ms. Anelle Miller is a passionate and dedicated community leader who has made remarkable contributions to our work through the transformative power of art.
Her weekly art therapy workshop has provided an invaluable outlet for self-expression, guiding participants through visual imagery and writing and connecting those practices to important cultural themes and celebrations like Juneteenth and Black History Month. She has also inspired by introducing them to artists both historical and contemporary — some favorites have been Michelangelo, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat — and fostering a recognition of art’s role in history and identity.
These contributions have been vital in opening participants up to new experiences, building their self-worth and improving their mental health. And in their journeys toward brighter futures, these emotional gains are as important as their education and employment goals because they create stability and provide a foundation for further growth.
Ms. Anelle’s success comes above all from her extraordinary ability to connect. Building credibility is critical to success in our work, and her deep empathy and capacity for love shine through in every interaction, creating trust between her and those in her program. In fact, participants and staff have taken to refering to her affectionately as “Big-A.”
