DuPage County Board awards grant for ‘Healing Through Art’ program
The DuPage County Board has stepped into the arts and mental health by funding The Awakenings Project to launch “Healing Through Art,” an innovative wellness program for DuPage County residents seeking personal growth, stress management, and creative expression.
The county-funded initiative offers four art therapy workshops meeting on Saturday afternoons in September and October, making therapeutic art techniques accessible and affordable countywide.
“This grant represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking wellness programming our county needs,” said Greg Schwarze, DuPage County Board member representing District 6. “We're investing in our residents' mental health through creative, evidence-based approaches that complement traditional health care services.”
Art therapist Dianne Samp, MA, LCPC, will lead workshops guiding participants through drawing, watercolor, and creative techniques while integrating stress reduction, mindfulness, and emotional wellness lessons.
“These workshops provide a welcoming, nonclinical space where DuPage County residents can explore their creativity while learning valuable tools for managing life's stresses,” Samp said.
“We're honored that the DuPage County Board recognizes the importance of creative approaches to community wellness,” said Robert Lundin, president of The Awakenings Project. “This grant allows us to serve our neighbors with exceptional programming that promotes mental well-being through artistic expression.”
For nearly three decades, The Awakenings Project has specialized in supporting individuals with mental illnesses through creative expression. Now, the organization expands this proven approach to serve all DuPage County residents.
Schwarze, who coordinated the DuPage County Board’s Small Agency grant program, emphasized the project's accessibility at just $20 per workshop or $60 for all four. “We're removing financial barriers that might prevent people from accessing these valuable mental health resources,” he said.
The program targets adults of all artistic skill levels. No prior art experience is required. Workshops will be held at the Naperville Art League, 508 N. Center St. in Naperville, with sessions scheduled for Sept. 6, 13, 27, and Oct. 4. Participants can select all or any number of sessions to attend. Visit www.AwakeningsProject.org for registration or more information.
Each series accommodates 15-17 participants to ensure personalized attention. Registration opens July 15, 2025, for the first series, with second series registration opening January 2026.
“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to innovative wellness programming,” Schwarze said. “We're proud to support an organization with such a strong track record of serving our community.”