I first met Pamela Alderman, the founder of Healing in Arts, at our church six years ago. Being a left-brained individual, and not acquainted with the artistic process, I was curious, fascinated, intrigued. Pamela’s creativity is mind boggling to me! Her energy and passion for reaching the under-served is unmatched. It makes me weary just thinking about all the activity she does each week, at a time in her life when most of us would be winding down toward retirement.
As our friendship grew, I had opportunities to assist with various Healing in Arts projects behind the scenes, which included tearing paper, sewing shapes, cutting fabric, and stuffing envelopes. Recently, when Healing in Arts officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Pamela invited me to serve on the board. What an honor! The two of us frequently spend hours brainstorming, problem solving, planning, and reviewing various aspects of Healing in Arts. We balance each other perfectly, coming from different perspectives—Pamela the visionary and I the integrator. We are both women of faith who seek to serve others through creative opportunities.
As a nurse and musician living with chronic pain, I have personally experienced and witnessed how music can help to soothe those in physical pain, those who are anxious, and those who are grieving. I would occasionally sing to my suffering patients; the gentle melodies eased their struggle nearly every time. Art can also be cathartic, helping to refocus minds, to soothe deep hurts, and to provide a creative outlet for expressing invisible wounds. I couldn’t be more proud to be Pamela’s friend and a part of the Healing in Arts team. God is using this remarkable ministry to touch many people around the world
