GREEN BAY – This Valentine’s Day, Saturday the 14th, Art Is Medicine, or A.I.M., is holding a free art and sound healing event from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m..
From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be an art session where participants can create and decorate clay hearts and ornaments.
Between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. they will begin sound healing which includes chimes, bowls and drums, giving participants an immersive sound experience.
A.I.M. is dedicated to helping veterans and first responders with their mental health through the arts.
The sound is meant to help with PTSD, Alzheimer’s, Dementia and other mental health conditions.
The nonprofit began in September of 2024 and was co-founded by Justin Scheidecker and Nate Smith.
Scheidecker is a retired first responder who was injured in the line of duty and was unable to use his shoulder for several months.
During this time he turned to sound healing, specifically drumming, and now he wants to help others do the same.
Smith, an army veteran, turns toward art as a release and is passionate about sharing that with those in a similar situation.
“It’s not just saying we’re doing this to help, this is something that’s helped up in our life” Scheidecker said.
Having firsthand experience is important to A.I.M. as it helps them connect on a deeper level to those who need the help the most.
Giving older veterans an avenue to express themselves and their feelings through art is important to A.I.M. as well.
Scheidecker explained the goal of A.I.M. as, “Giving that outlet, a more healthy outlet, so you can resort to sound, drumming and art in place of the negative.”
Monthly art days are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a variety of art projects.
Drum circle takes place on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m..
The drums used are hand made from animal hides such as elk, horse, deer and moose.
There is a class in which veterans and first responders are taught how to make the drums and positive intentions are placed into them.
Each event is free for veterans and first responders but community members are welcome too.
A donation is encouraged for community members to help fund the supplies used in the sessions.
Creating a shared community of and for veterans and first responders is crucial to A.I.M.
“Helping build a community, especially with everything going on in the world today with community. Everyone is getting so divided with world events. So being able to build that back and get back to how community should be,” Scheidecker mentioned.
For more information about A.I.M. Valentine’s Day Sound Healing session please visit artismedicinegb.org.
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