Finding Healing and Joy Through Art Therapy at Easterseals Northeast Indiana Columbia City
On a typical weekday, four participants at Easterseals Northeast Indiana Columbia City’s Creative Learning Center immerse themselves in a colorful and calming experience—art therapy. For more than an hour, each person collaborates with Jamie Hyser, the center’s dedicated art instructor, to produce and polish unique drawings and paintings that reflect both imagination and emotion.
Although not a formal clinical therapy program, the one-on-one art sessions at Easterseals Northeast Indiana Columbia City mirror many of the benefits of art therapy: self-expression, sensory engagement, emotional release, and personal growth. The results are often both therapeutic and inspiring.
The Power of Personalized Art Instruction
Art has long been a favorite activity at Easterseals Northeast Indiana Columbia City, where staff have helped individuals with disabilities explore creativity in various forms. Today, thanks to Hyser’s passion and skill, the program offers a more personalized, deeply engaging approach.
Hyser works directly with each artist, adapting her instruction to their interests, needs, and abilities. The process often includes guiding participants through each creative step, offering choices along the way to build confidence and independence. For those who may struggle with freehand drawing, Hyser uses tools like light tables to help them trace and then paint with pride.
Creative Journeys That Inspire
Each participant brings their own unique voice and vision to the canvas:
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Chester, fascinated with trucks and tractors, carefully traced a six-wheeled vehicle on a light table.
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Doug painted a drum set with bold red accents, bringing vibrancy to a black-and-white sketch.
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Barbara dove into a mystical forest scene, filling in details of two embracing wood nymphs.
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Josh worked meticulously to trace a rising phoenix, a symbol of transformation and strength.
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Larry, who enjoys geometric designs, created a stylized race car from circles, triangles, and rectangles.
These activities do more than build artistic skills—they promote communication, reduce stress, and allow participants to experience joy through creative expression, all fundamental aspects of art therapy.
A Passion That Grew Into Purpose
Hyser, who started as a Direct Support Professional at Easterseals Northeast Indiana Columbia City more than 10 years ago, has always had a love for art. Soon after joining the team, she saw how much participants responded to creative expression, even when it was part of large group sessions.
“Man, I want to teach art! I love art!” she remembers thinking. Over time, her enthusiasm and initiative transformed into a structured art program that now mirrors many goals of art therapy—building confidence, processing emotions, and developing a sense of accomplishment.
Meaningful Impact Through Creative Connection
For Hyser, the most rewarding moments come from seeing participants create something they never thought they could.
“I like giving them the opportunity to create things they thought they might not be able to,” she said. “It’s about letting them see what’s possible.”
By nurturing both imagination and capability, this art program at Easterseals Northeast Indiana Columbia City goes far beyond the canvas. It offers connection, healing, and joy—true hallmarks of art therapy.