Yes Arts Recovery
Yes Arts offers therapeutic arts services, through our ART (Achieving Recovery Together) Program, for people in recovery from substance use disorder in partnership with the Franklin County Drug Court and other local nonprofit partners.
ART uses a variety of hands-on, multi-disciplinary approaches to support people in their recovery journey. What began as weekly, in person court-mandated meetings led by our artists, continued through the Covid-19 Pandemic as virtual sessions, and then in 2023, transitioned to an art therapy program featuring peer support. Each participant is introduced to a variety of artistic methods by which they can explore their life experiences and struggles, as well as new strategies to support their recovery, helping them move toward a healthier lifestyle.
Beyond impact on individuals, art work created by, with and about people in recovery reaches audiences as only the arts can do, telling the story of addiction and inspiring empathy and action.
In October 2023, Yes Arts hosted heARTworks, a multifaceted fundraising event showcasing the grand reveal of the ART COLLAB murals, an impactful collaboration between Yes Arts, participants from Franklin County Drug Court and the Frankfort Police Department. The 7 stunning murals embody the spirit of collaboration and recovery and each panel represents services and resources offered by Yes Arts.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Grant, the project built meaningful connections between individuals in recovery and local law enforcement, ultimately fostering a positive shift in perception and understanding within the community.
The event kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce unveiling the murals and Yes Arts’ new exterior signage. As part of the Business After Hours gathering, Whitaker Bank presented a donation to further support the continuation of the ART program at Yes Arts.
In Yes Arts first year of programming, the Art of Recovery was chronicled, a 30-minute documentary film by Joanna Hay that has aired on KET and screened at Frankfort’s Grand Theatre and at the Speed Museum in Louisville.
If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes is a powerful multi-media exhibit featuring life-sized self-portrait sculptures created by Drug Court participants with direction from artists Doris Thurber and Jennifer Zingg, with a haunting soundtrack of interview excerpts woven with violin music created by Joanna Hay.
Songwriters Jeri Katherine Howell and Nat Colten wrote Bent But Not Broken in collaboration with the women in the Recovery Program. The women wanted to write a song that would help non-addicts understand what they are going through or have gone through.
Bent But Not Broken
By Jeri Katherine Howell & Nat Colten
Copyright January 2017. All Rights Reserved.
Could be anyone among you
Who is bent but not broken through
Lost, alone and can’t find home
I’m addicted and I don’t belong
Honestly, I want to be honest with you
If life went differently, you could have been here, too
Honesty, it aches through and through
We’re on the road to recovery
And the road it goes on
Bibles, switches, churches and lies
Faithful since childhood, but now I’m on trial can’t do this on my own
Winding back again and again to the crossroads
Future defined by this stuff in a cup
Been holding it in just to fill it up
Mama you said you wouldn’t do it this time
Daughter you said you wouldn’t do it this time
Sister you said you wouldn’t do it this time
Well, I’m sober now and I’m ready to spread my wings and fly
Honestly, I wanted to be honest with you
Cuz if life went differently, you could have been me
We’re on the road to recovery
And the road it goes on…
and the road it goes on…