the survivors expressive-arts collective
Vanita Leatherwood, owner of The YES Within, is the founding member of the Nurtured By the Arts Collective (NBAC). Vanita is honored to serve the community by offering free in-person and virtual workshops for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including adult survivors of childhood abuse, as well as programs for the broader public.
WHAT WE OFFER
Members of the NBA Collective (NBAC) facilitate free arts-based workshops that invite participants to use creative expression as a pathway for reflection, connection, and care. Our programs draw on Transformative Language Arts, Poetry Therapy, Creative Aging, and
other expressive arts practices to support healing, resilience, and meaningful personal and social change. Offerings include:
OUR APPROACH
NBAC workshops blend mindfulness practices, creative exploration, and educational seminars. Together, these experiences help participants develop self-care practices, process feelings, address the long-term health effects of trauma, and build beloved community.
Facilitators are survivors who bring professional experience as teaching artists, poetry therapists, educators, community service providers, and health practitioners. Through the NBAC, participants can access in-person and virtual support groups, interactive workshop series, and special events
designed to be engaging, supportive, and community-centered.

In this peer-led space we use the power of poetry, conversation and connection to cultivate radical self-love, personal power, and beloved community
Through engaging and creative activities, survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence (including adult survivors of child abuse) gather to cultivate continued courage, self-compassion, connection, wellness and self-directed advocacy.
Many survivors experience chronic pain conditions that interfere with the quality of life. During Poetic Balm we explore ways to live well, be informed self-advocates, address stigma, and the health disparities that challenge well-being.
Join us as we address “triple jeopardy”; the exploitation and oppression experienced by survivors who are black women. Through engaging and creative activities, we cultivate self-love, sustained acceptance and affirmation, beloved community, and strategies to address the root causes of violence.
In this peer-led space we use expressive arts, conversation and connection to cultivate radical self-love, personal power, and beloved community.
We believe in the power of the arts, to reveal, to heal and to transform ourselves and all our communities.
IMAGINE: Creative Arts for Children and Youth
This program offers a welcoming space where children and youth can explore creativity,
self-expression, and connection through the arts.
CATALYST: Creativity and Community for Adults
This program provides a welcoming space for adults to build connection, explore creativity,
self-expression, and life-span topics such as aging, sexuality, identity, parenting, culture, and community life.
If you would like to request a program please email Vanita at: vanita@nurturedbythearts.org
The NBAC needs a minimum of 60 days to consider a request. Please describe the nature of your organization including purpose/goals and membership. If you have an activity in mind, let us know. We will create a plan to review with you. We will provide you with a detailed list of needed supplies and materials.
Please note that the purchase of supplies and materials is the responsibility of your organization.
wellbeing, the newsletter of the NBAC, is published bi-monthly in October, December, February, April, June, and August featuring news about free arts-based events and classes, interviews, articles, poetry and visual artwork. Announcements, articles, and poetry must be submitted as WORD documents. Poetry: submissions are limited to 2 poems, with a word limit of 300 words per poem.
We love to hear about folks who are deeply in love with the arts; as makers, beholders, at work and at play. If you have a story to share about your relationship with the arts please email Vanita at: vanita@nurturedbythearts.org
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