Abstract

This independent study project investigates the resilience of artists and art as a pathway for healing. Through the lens of the communicative theory of resilience, this study aims to uncover specific processes which contribute to the resilience of artists, specifically through the creation of art. Using qualitative methods, I constructed in depth narrative interviews with five studio art majors, who shared their experiences with certain struggles as artists and how they were able to work through them. Particular stressors, or struggles, that I focused on included blocks in the creative process, mental health, and employment. Findings revealed that each of the five processes of the communicative theory of resilience aligned with certain ways in which artists worked through these struggles. Through these different, distinct communicative processes, artists were able to foster resilience and maintain a sense of hope in times of adversity. Artists employ strategies such as utilizing networks in the studio art department for support, holding on to their artistic identities, and considering alternative logics to work through these challenges and enact resilience. Findings further reveal that the creation of art itself is undoubtedly a pathway for healing, highlighting its ability to help individuals cope, deal with stress and engage in self-expression. This study situates these insights, offering a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding the adversities of artists and healing pathways which emerge through the creation of art, providing a basis for future research in the field of resilience.

Keywords: resilience, stressor, adversity, adapt, healing, art

Advisor

Tian, Zhenyu

Department

Communication Studies

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2025 Jada Mae Rodgers