Saturday, October 21, 2023
6:00 PM
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
340 N. 3rd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Art Heals Arizona for Abused Children of Arizona is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the Pure Imagination Costume Gala on Saturday, October 21, 2023. That’s right. We’re throwing a costume party! Attendees can dress up however the theme inspires them, from superheroes to fairy tales and everything in between. The theme “Pure Imagination” is meant to encourage supporters to connect with their inner child and that same sense of adventure, curiosity, and wonder from our childhood.
This event will represent the soul of Art Heals Arizona with intentional art projects, live performances from teaching artists, stories about our past and future, and so much more. This event will also represent the future of Art Heals Arizona. This is a time of great change. Our programs are expanding to serve families and young adults with a new clinical lens on our work. Our staff has grown to 27 members, including new leadership focused on expanding Art Heals Arizona statewide by 2028. The Pure Imagination Costume Gala not only celebrates 30 years of growth, but also a bright future ahead.
The theme “Pure Imagination” is inspired by our inner child and childhood. Guests can dress up however these ideas inspire them, from superheroes to fairy tales and everything in between. That could mean wearing your Halloween costume early or a gown patterned with text because you loved reading as a child. A costume could also be your most glamorous outfit because you feel good in it, and that is what we want for you. Just like there are no mistakes in art, there are no mistakes in costumes!
Art Heals Arizona for Abused Children of Arizona was founded in 1993 by art therapist Margaret Beresford. She was inspired by California art therapist Elda Unger, who launched the first Art Heals Arizona in Los Angeles in the 1970s.
Elda and Margaret recognized the positive impact that engaging in art-making, in partnership with supportive adults, has on children. That’s why the basis of Art Heals Arizona’ programs is to convene and connect adults who care for these children, providing them with artistic and trauma-informed resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
Today, Art Heals Arizona serves more than 7,000 children, on average, each year through five key trauma-informed programs. Art Heals Arizona uses the power of the arts to help children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, and homelessness. Art Heals Arizona’ research-based program model, Art + Mentors = Resilience, helps children build the resilience they need to overcome trauma by connecting them with caring adults and creative activities that develop their skills and sense of self.
Art Heals Arizona believes that healthy connections with adults create change. Through partnerships with local child welfare agencies, Art Heals Arizona is able to provide this intervention to children free of cost to program participants.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the Art Heals Arizona 30th Anniversary Pure Imagination Costume Gala, please contact Tenneille Choi at tchoi@arthealsaz.org or call Tenneille at 602-258-8100 ext. 926.