Where art meets community health and well-being.

Art Therapy Lab is an international studio-lab exploring community-based practice at the intersection of art therapy and related fields.

We design and facilitate participatory art programs that support individual and collective well-being while engaging cultural context, relational process, and reflective inquiry.

Experience the healing power of art, community, and collaboration with us.

Learn more about who we are and how we work.

  • Art Therapy Lab began in 2022 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as an international initiative connecting people through community-centered art therapy experiences designed to reduce isolation and invite meaningful conversation around mental health and creative practice.

    Founded by Julia Volonts, a credentialed art therapist working between the United States and Europe, what began as an extension of her private practice and community work abroad has evolved into an international studio-lab exploring community-based practice at the intersection of art therapy and related fields through interdisciplinary collaboration and practice-based research.

    Art Therapy Lab centers safe, inclusive, and relational environments that support wellbeing, emphasizing community care and human connection rather than diagnosis or treatment.

  • Art Therapy Lab operates through a studio-lab model where creative practice, facilitation, and inquiry coexist. Our programs are guided by:

    • community-centered and relational engagement

    • ethical and socially responsive practice

    • participant voice and creative process

    • practice-based and arts-informed inquiry

    We see community-based art therapy as a bridge between public arts and health — creating participatory spaces for care, reflection, and connection beyond traditional clinical settings.

  • Our work spans public workshops, professional development, and collaborative partnerships, taking place virtually and through site-specific, in-person experiences.

    Public Programs

    Participatory, community-based workshops designed in collaboration with creative practitioners. No prior art experience required.

    Professional Programs

    Residencies, mentorship, and reflective spaces for art therapists and allied practitioners seeking sustainable, values-aligned practice.

    Collaborative & Partner Programs

    Projects developed with organizations and institutions integrating art therapy–informed approaches into community, educational, and interdisciplinary contexts.

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    Current Programs

    PCC Virtual Studio Series — March 29

    2026 Art Therapy Lab International Residency — open call accepting applications through March 22

    Beginning Fall 2026:
    A curated workshop series led by an international roster of art therapists and creative practitioners

    Future Thinkers Mentorship for artists, art therapists, and interdisciplinary practitioners

  • Art Therapy Lab welcomes an wide and evolving community, including:

    • Individuals seeking creative reflection and social connection through experiential art-making

    • Artists and art therapists

    • Interdisciplinary practitioners across arts, health, and community settings

    • Collaborators, partners, and institutions interested in community-centered, art-based approaches to care

    People connect with us in different ways — as participants, facilitators, collaborators, interns, partners, or supporters. All of our work is shaped through collaboration, dialogue, and shared inquiry.

Become a part of Art Therapy Lab.

People connect with Art Therapy Lab in different ways, including as participants, facilitators, collaborators, interns, partners, or supporters, depending on interest, context, and capacity.

Have a question or proposal? Contact us
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  • “Art Therapy Lab will help you grow in your profession, in addition to making many wonderful new connections.”

    —Participant, Art Therapy Lab International Residency

  • “Art Therapy Lab provided a really calm, non-judgmental and encouraging space for self led collage and reflection which was a great environment to get creative, along with the beautiful meditation exercises to set the tone. I was so surprised to see what I created intuitively as a result.”

    —Participant, PCC Virtual Studio Series


  • “The Art of Being Human Collage as Art Therapy is wonderful and highly recommended to anyone who wants to explore therapy through a visual medium. Julia is a nurturing facilitator who creates a positive atmosphere.”

    —Participant, The Art of Being Human Collage Group

  • “Participating in the residency meant weaving together mindful time in nature, experimental art-making, and open dialogue, nurturing reflection, growth, and shared connection.”

    —Participant Art Therapy Lab International Residency

  • “I always look forward to Julia's workshops, as I deeply appreciate her unique approach, the diverse range of topics, and the supportive environment that the Art Therapy Lab fosters. It’s an inspiring virtual space that has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth.”

    —Participant, PCC Virtual Studio Series

  • “This was the second time I participated in a [Art Therapy Lab x Paris Collage Collective] collage workshop. The vibe is inclusive, supportive, kind, and the motivational aspect was very useful for me."

    —Participant, PCC Virtual Studio Series