The Impact of Art: What Communities Need to Heal

The conversation centers on a question that does not get asked in civic spaces: what kinds of spaces does Cleveland’s Southeast Side actually need to thrive? Through the lens of art and community health, attendees will explore why dedicated creative spaces matter, what those spaces should look like, who they serve, and who provides the services inside them.

“Arts and cultural spaces as well as artists are necessities for creating healthy and thriving communities,” said Veronica ‘Ms. Vee’ Thornton, founder of The Impact of Art (Beyond Murals). “This event is about bringing that truth into the room and letting the community own the conversation.”

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Keynote Speaker: Gregory L. Hall, MD serves as Medical Director of the UH Cutler Center for Men and holds the Edgar B. Jackson, Jr., MD Chair in Diversity and Clinical Excellence. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor at the CWRU School of Medicine. Dr. Hall will offer a keynote grounded in the intersection of racial health equity and the healing potential of the arts.

Arts in Health Professional: Stacy Ward Braxton is the founder of The Significance Group and A Resin To Play and serves as Executive Pastor of New Life Cathedral. Her work sits at the intersection of creative practice, spiritual care, and community development.

Hostess: Indigo Bishop is a Program Officer at the Saint Luke’s Foundation of Cleveland and founder of Free by Design.