The Art & Wellness Institute is a creative and healing initiative founded by artist, educator, and wellness advocate Rebecca Lefebvre.
Rooted in the belief that artistic expression and emotional well-being are deeply intertwined, the Institute designs experiences that foster connection, self-acceptance, and mental resilience through the arts.
Rebecca’s recent public installation, Murmuration: The Dance of Starlings, bringing together movement, unity, and collective healing in a community setting—demonstrates how large-scale, public art can inspire belonging and transformation. Building on that momentum, her Voices in Bloom project brings meaningful creative engagement to older adults in rural assisted living communities, using art as a tool for storytelling, visibility, and renewed purpose.
The Institute also hosts intimate, nature-inspired classes at Three Leaf Farm, Little Herbal Apothecary, and Savannah Bee Company—offering watercolor, botanical illustration, and creative wellness workshops that invite participants to slow down, connect with their senses, and rediscover joy through making.
Whether through public installations, seasonal workshops, or collaborative community projects, the Art & Wellness Institute is committed to nurturing the human spirit through creativity, nature, and connection. Each program is designed to help people feel seen, valued, and more deeply connected—to themselves and one another.
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"Art is a bridge to wellness, weaving emotional expression, mental clarity and social connection into a creative journey of healing and self-discovery." – Rebecca Lefebvre
Creativity and Whole-Health
How Art Supports Every Dimension of Wellness
Creativity—particularly through art—has a profound impact on all five dimensions of whole-health. While its most visible effects are often emotional, mental, and social, the benefits of engaging in artistic expression extend deeply into the physical, spiritual, and social domains as well.
❁ Emotional Wellness
Art provides a powerful outlet for processing emotions, reducing stress, and expressing feelings that may be difficult to articulate verbally. Engaging in creative activities can help regulate emotions, build resilience, and promote self-awareness, leading to greater emotional balance and inner peace. Within the emotional domain, art supports healthier reactions to life’s inevitable challenges and provides a constructive, nonverbal space for feeling through our experiences.
❁ Mental Wellness
Creating art stimulates the brain, improves focus, and promotes relaxation—reducing anxiety and symptoms of depression. The meditative qualities of painting, drawing, and other creative processes help quiet mental noise, increase mindfulness, and enhance cognitive clarity. As part of the mental domain, art strengthens our ability to reflect, analyze, and process experiences more thoughtfully and with less judgment.
❁ Social Wellness
Art fosters connection, whether through collaborative projects, community workshops, or simply sharing creative experiences with others. It provides an accessible, welcoming way for individuals to communicate, relate, and build meaningful relationships—strengthening a sense of belonging and mutual support. In terms of the social domain, art deepens our engagement with others and with the systems, communities, and natural environments we are part of. It reminds us that healing is not just an individual process—it is communal.
❁ Physical Wellness
Although often overlooked, the physical domain is also supported by artistic engagement. Sensory interaction through touch, sight, and even the repetitive, rhythmic motion of brushstrokes or sculpting can soothe the nervous system. For those experiencing chronic pain or illness, creative expression can help shift attention away from discomfort, support motor function, and offer a sense of autonomy over one’s body and experience. The act of making—of being industrious—can enhance a sense of vitality and embodiment.
❁ Spiritual Wellness
The spiritual domain—the space of intuition, essence, and inner truth—is deeply nourished by the arts. Art allows us to explore the ineffable, access our moral compass, and find meaning in both joy and suffering. For many, the act of creation feels like communion with something greater than the self. It reconnects us with our values, reinforces our sense of purpose, and helps us align with our most authentic expression. Art is one of the purest forms through which we can access and express soul-level insight.
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❁ Added Bonus Benefits
The Importance of Purpose and Industry
Through the lens of whole-health, one of the most impactful roles of art is its ability to restore a sense of industry and purpose. Engaging in a creative process—especially one that results in a shared or lasting contribution to the community—cultivates meaning, confidence, and a reason to engage with the world. This sense of purpose is not just emotionally uplifting—it is a foundational component of mental wellness and resilience. Feeling useful, seen, and capable supports our connection to others, to our inner self, and to the broader universe we inhabit.
The 5 Domains of Whole-Health
1. Physical
How we experience the world through our senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—and how our bodies manifest health or illness.
2. Mental
Our cognitive function: how we think, reflect, analyze, and make sense of our experiences. This domain supports logic, planning, and self-awareness.
3. Emotional
Our ability to feel and process emotions like joy, sadness, anger, fear, and love. This domain is key to resilience, self-regulation, and inner peace.
4. Spiritual
The essence of who we are—our values, beliefs, intuition, and moral compass. This domain connects us to meaning, authenticity, and purpose.
5. Social
Our relationship with others, nature, and the larger systems we live within. This domain reflects our need for community, belonging, and mutual care.
“Through my Art & Wellness Programs (classes, workshops and community programs), I aim to harness the transformative power of art to enhance these dimensions of wellness, helping individuals express themselves, connect with others and find greater joy and fulfillment in their lives.”
– Rebecca Lefebvre
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Why I Created the Art & Wellness Institute
From a very young age, I have always believed we can be more than they believe we are capable of. And certainly, far more than other people lead us to believe.
My work is grounded in the belief that every person carries an innate creative spark—and that nurturing it can lead to powerful personal and collective healing. With a background in social work and nursing, I’ve walked alongside thousands of individuals, caregivers, and healthcare professionals—witnessing firsthand the emotional toll of untreated pain, acute-on-chronic stress, burnout, and disconnection. Since 2014, I’ve dedicated my life to creating experiences that invite renewal, connection, and a return to self.
The Art & Wellness programs that I’ve created aren’t just about making art—they’re about making space:
For your voice
Your healing, and
Your dreams
Whether you're joining a paint-and-sip class, engaging with one of my installations, or exploring deeper transformation through guided workshops, my goal is to help you reconnect—with your creativity, your purpose, and your joy.
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“Together, we’re not just making art—we’re cultivating a culture that honors whole-health, celebrates expression, and embraces the art of living well.” – Rebecca Lefebvre
Who Are My Art & Wellness Classes Designed For?
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Anyone ready to embrace creativity, express themselves freely and find balance.
Individuals Seeking Personal Growth
and new tools for self-discovery, mindfulness, and emotional well-being
Healthcare Professionals & Caregivers
who need an outlet for stress relief, self-expression and healing from burnout.
Beginners & Experienced Artists
wishing to deepen their artistic skills in a supportive, non-traditional art school environment
Families, Friends, Communities & Groups
looking to connect and bond through shared creative experiences
Corporations & Wellness Programs
interested in fostering well-being, reducing stress, and encouraging creative thinking
Ready to Reconnect, Recharge, and Create?
Whether you’re looking to deepen your personal wellness journey, bring your family or friends together in a meaningful way, or elevate your team’s next retreat or wellness initiative—The Art & Wellness Institute is here to guide you.
Explore Current Classes
I offer a variety of enriching, hands-on art and wellness experiences open to individuals of all skill levels. From nature-inspired painting workshops to reflective mixed media classes, there’s something for everyone ready to experience joy and balance through creativity.
Contact Me to Begin the Conversation
Email Rebecca Lefebvre directly at:
rebecca@aveclavie.com
Let’s make something beautiful, together.
Book a Private or Custom Workshop
Looking for something more personalized? I specialize in creating custom workshops and creative wellness sessions for:
Families and friends seeking quality time and meaningful connection
Corporate teams looking to reduce stress and increase creativity
Retreat centers and wellness programs wanting to deepen their impact
Whether it's a one-time event or part of an ongoing wellness initiative, I’ll work with you to craft a soulful, restorative experience aligned with your group’s goals and values.