College Art Wellness Exchange
College students are invited to attend workshops as part of the Art Wellness Exchange with Ashley Witherspoon at the NCMA. During this private, after-hours experience, you have the opportunity to engage mindfully with your peers as we spend time in the calm and beautiful galleries of the Museum.
Designed with your mental wellness in mind, the program uses different works of art to help you reflect on your current experiences and find ways of talking together to work through challenges such as increased levels of stress, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, decreased social interactions, and increased concerns regarding academic performance. The Art Wellness Exchange provides an alternative mindful approach to gain mental health awareness within the contemplative spaces of the Museum.
About the facilitator
Ashley Witherspoon is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Hand Made Dreams, a mental health platform dedicated to bringing mental health awareness to everyday spaces. She recently served as a mental health expert for WRAL-TV, providing therapeutic strategies for families to adjust during the pandemic. She has contributed to various local and national publication platforms, including the national and digital media publication Youth Today. The Hand Made Dreams platform continues to expand with the Art Wellness Exchange, collaborating with community and university museums.