Tennessee Arts Commssion Grant Funds Peninsula Hospital Calligraphy Program

Peninsula Hospital has received a grant of $7,880 from the Tennessee Arts Commission to fund calligraphy classes at the behavioral facility. This unique art therapy provides patients with a creative experience that supports their treatment and recovery. The grant was obtained with assistance from Covenant Health’s Office of Philanthropy.  

Calligraphy is the art of creating stylized lettering or handwriting. “Patients and staff are excited to come to the class,” says Laurel Proulx, manager of inpatient clinical services at Peninsula. “We have a variety of patients here, and they are on a sterile hospital unit most of the time. For Peninsula’s calligraphy class, they come to a different setting and see a different person who is passionate about what they’re doing.” 

That person is Erin Albright, owner of Scruffy City Lettering and Signs in Knoxville. “I love teaching other people so I can share my love of lettering and how it has been beneficial to me,” Albright says. “I just find so much joy in helping people have a coping skill that they can carry with them.” 

The grant covers the cost of weekly sessions with the instructor and supplies for the patients. “This art form allowed us to give the patients materials so they can continue practicing between classes,” Proulx says. 

Calligraphy Program Promotes Well-being Through Creative Expression

Albright explains, “I have seen lettering classes impact patients because they leave with a tool – a coping system. We do a survey at the end of every session. We have found that 96 percent of the patients reported that they learned ways that the arts can promote well-being in their daily lives. And 97.5 percent reported that they enjoyed the program. To be able to have a moment that you enjoyed – that garners hope and the idea that ‘I can be and stay well.’” 

Patients have shared their feelings about the Peninsula calligraphy program as well, with comments like these:  

“It helped my depression by distracting my mind. It also helped my self-esteem.” 

“I’ve always wanted to learn calligraphy and I got the chance to. I gained hope for myself.” 

“It was a new experience that I greatly enjoyed.” 

“I got to have social interaction in an artistic environment and I gained confidence.” 

“I learned to relax. It was a great way to get my mind off stress..”  

“I gained inspiration to continue calligraphy at home with my kit. I learned to express myself and my feelings through color and flow.” 

The Benefits of Art Therapy

Proulx says that when she first came to Peninsula, one of her goals was to bring more arts programming to the hospital. She notes that art therapy can play an important role in behavioral treatment.  

“Art can help express an emotion that you haven’t been able to communicate before. It can be a distraction that helps with impulse control. It can prompt mindfulness and be self-soothing,” she explains. “Art can be a safe way to learn and to have success trying new things, as well as providing a sense of accomplishment. It can also be a tool for improving social interaction with less pressure than a ‘talk’ setting.”   

She is already looking toward the future with the hope of expanding Peninsula’s art therapy programs. “We have applied for the grant again this year and asked for funding to continue with Erin and hopefully add other art forms as well,” she says. “The support for Peninsula’s calligraphy classes from Tennessee Arts Commission has enhanced our behavioral treatment programs in a creative way for our patients.”