Spring Spectacular 2025: Live Artist, Taylor Callinan

Joining us on May 1 for our Spring Spectacular is artist and Unify the Ties founder, Taylor Callinan.

Taylor’s connection with The Art Therapy Project began in 2019, and she has been a dedicated supporter, donating proceeds from Unify the Ties sales to help fund our art therapy programs. She also shares how art has been a catalyst in her mental health journey.

What does being part of The Art Therapy Project community mean to you? 
Being part of The Art Therapy Project community is an incredible honor and means everything to me. As it represents a soul-aligned connection built to last. The work they do is profoundly impactful, creating a safe space for self-expression that transforms lives. Hearing the heartfelt reflections of those they serve is truly touching and a powerful testament to their impact and the power of creativity. 

Would you be open to sharing your personal journey and how art has become a catalyst for processing emotions?
Art became a catalyst for my healing by helping me move through perfectionism, anxiety, and body dysmorphia in a way nothing else could. Through creative expression, I stopped numbing and avoiding and instead began to truly feel myself—planting a seed of empowerment that transformed my self-worth, confidence, and sense of purpose. Painting became a mirror to my soul, guiding me toward wholeness and a deeper understanding of how to care for myself, inside and out.

How has creating art helped you uncover and express emotions?
Creating art has become a sacred release, allowing me to move stuck energy and process emotions through textures, colors, tools and materials. It helps me shift out of my mind and into my body, where I create inner peace and energetic alignment. This deep connection within then manifests as external empowerment, allowing me to express myself with confidence and authenticity.

How has engaging in art helped you acknowledge and work through mental health challenges in ways that traditional talk therapy might not?
Art has been a powerful way for me to move energy through my body, helping me process emotions that words alone couldn’t reach. Through texture, color, and movement, I’m able to release stuck energy, shift my state of mind, and find inner alignment. Unlike traditional talk therapy, creating art allows me to bypass overthinking and connect directly with my body, transforming heavy emotions into something tangible and healing.

What excites you most about being The Art Therapy Project’s Live Artist during the 2025 Spring Spectacular? 
Being the live artist for The Art Therapy Project’s 2025 Spring Spectacular is a dream come true. The opportunity to create and auction off my artwork, with the proceeds supporting such a meaningful organization, is a beautiful full-circle moment—doing what I love while giving back in a way that makes an impact.