Spark Creativity and Nurture Wellbeing in Business with Art

by Anna Iskra

This capstone project is a manual for applying art therapy invitations for those developing or starting their businesses. Being a business owner for over 15 years and consulting small business entrepreneurs before becoming an art therapy student gave me great insight into entrepreneurs' prevailing issues and needs. The intrinsic power of art therapy is changing the narrative and bringing creativity, self-expression, outside-the-box thinking, and joy to the participant. All these qualities are in high demand for those starting or developing businesses. Those elements are the ingredients for holistic success in business. The seven steps outlined in this manual bring the reader through the comprehensive holistic approach of visioning a new meaning and a new approach to business development. The process goes through the life cycles of the business from birth to maturity, to legacy. Through those art therapy invitations, clients discover a new value of their success. One of my favourite quotes from the group that participated in the development of their business was: "I would give each client a seedling to plant. It would be one of the 3 tree species that are predicted to survive climate change in our region." In this simple act is the core of the person's future legacy, goal, passion, principal, marketing, connection to the land, and new holistic success. It encompasses all elements in the visioning of how to connect with her own health, clients' health, prosperity, joy, creativity, and outside-the-box thinking.