- SMILE BRIGHTER With Dental Design of Arcadia • Preventative Cleanings • Same-Day Crowns • Implants and more! FREE SECOND OPINION FREE INVISALIGN CONSULT with $1300 instant savings! EE IMPLANT CONSULT (value $249) "" 520-372-6770 8 3409 W. 56TH STREET STE A PHOENIX, AZ 85018 28 SEPTEMBER 2024 By Sherry Sklar A fter retiring from her medical practice to raise children, Phoenix resident Mary Strawn became a volunteer at various residential facilities where patients experienced emotional, behavioral and physical challenges. This experience led her to find her life’s work. “I volunteered with the Maricopa County Hospital and Burn Center and developed a therapeutic art program to help kids heal from physical and mental trauma. They’re there for months at a time, undergoing painful procedures, and still processing their injuries,” Mary said. As she spent time with the kids, she noticed they would tell their stories using art materials, incorporating color to express feelings in the images they created. “This sparked my interest in using art as an expressive outlet to heal,” she said. “When my husband sold his healthcare company, we were fortunate to be able to start Walter Hive, and we have been expanding ever since.” Mary and her husband, Kirk, founded The Walter Hive to bring the healing power of creativity to Phoenix. The nonprofit uses art as a therapeutic tool to build resilience and promote recovery from trauma. It’s more than just an art center; it’s a welcoming and inclusive space for people of all ages to explore the transformative power of creative expression. Through innovative programs and strong community partnerships, they provide a means to connect with a community where creativity is celebrated as a vital part of personal wellbeing. “The Walter Project is involved in building things, art-related installations, and more. For example, at Canal Convergence in Scottsdale, we programmed interactive art projects for the public,” she said. “Each of us has something special to give. Finding a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive space where you’re celebrated for who you are is something I believe in deeply.” The organization rents a unique dome- shaped building from the Ponderosa lumberyard in Scottsdale, which serves as its shop space, gallery and community event venue. It includes a gallery that displays participants’ work and showcases contemporary local artists. The Hive has been around for seven years, but its foundation goes back about thirty, rooted in Mary’s lifelong passion for art and wellbeing. Reflecting on the early days, she explained, “Art had always been a part of my life, and at that time, it organically merged with my passion for health and wellness, especially in children and families.” The organization offers programs and workshops in fabrication, welding, woodworking, technology and fine arts. Enrollment is kept small, allowing each participant to fully engage and connect with their creative process. Programs are available for little to no cost, broadening and strengthening ties between them and the Phoenix community. The Walter Hive’s impact is felt deeply in the community, whether teaching students to weld in their “Girls Who Weld” program, helping a family express their grief through a shared project, or reducing stress levels for healthcare workers through intentional activities. Through these partnerships, The Hive ensures that art’s healing power reaches as many people as possible, making a lasting impact on those who participate. “We’ve been growing, and the demand for our programs is exploding. We’re fortunate to have such a supportive community, and we hope to keep expanding our reach,” Mary said. thewalterhive.org THE WALTER HIVE deeply in the community, whether teaching students to weld in their “Girls Who Weld” program, helping a family express their grief through a shared project, or reducing stress levels for healthcare workers through intentional activities. Through these partnerships, The Scottsdale, which Hive ensures that art’s healing power A lifelong passion for art and wellbeing turns into a community art hub The Walter Hive is open to all ages and backgrounds and uses art as a therapeutic tool promote recovery from trauma. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WALTER HIVE