January is Mental Wellness Month. A new year often means new beginnings, new goals, and a renewed focus on our well-being. As this month comes to an end, the RCA is excited to highlight our many programs geared towards wellness and art, allowing our community to bring that renewed sense of well-being beyond the month of January.  

Art is known to have a profound impact on one's mental health, as a way of alleviating anxiety, promoting relaxation, and offering solace. From open singing groups to sound baths, the RCA offers accessible workshops which allow participants to experience the therapeutic benefits of art. Take a look at some of our latest wellness-oriented workshops below.

Wellness Through the Arts 

Enriching Team Well-being and Team Building

Help your team unwind with the RCA’s new unique approach to employee wellness with Wellness Through the Arts experience packages. Perfect for nonprofits and corporate teams, these innovative programs blend creative expression with wellness practices to reduce stress, spark creativity, and build stronger connections. Choose from customizable options tailored to your organization, including Rhythm & Percussion, Creative Movement/Dance, Visual Arts, Sound Bath Experiences, and the Musical World of Handbells. Whether you're looking to recharge or reconnect, these experiences offer a fresh, artistic approach to workplace well-being.  

For more information and to book a session, click here.  

Beyond the Music 

Drop-in sessions Wednesdays, January 15 to March 12 

A returning favourite, Beyond the Music is an inclusive space to explore the joy of music while building connections. Tailored for individuals living with disabilities or diverse abilities, this inclusive experience offers singing, music-making, group songwriting, and movement, all guided by a certified music therapist. Beyond the Music encourages self-expression, boosts emotional well-being, and fosters a sense of belonging. Participants benefit from the therapeutic power of music, promoting relaxation, confidence, and connection in an uplifting, supportive environment. 

Each session is led by Soul Sounds Music Therapy - a team of Certified Music Therapists passionate about sharing the power of music to support health advocacy and holistic care, creating a welcoming space where everyone can experience a sense of belonging. Learn more about them here. 

Register here 

Sing for the Soul 

Drop-in sessions January 15 to March 11 

More music goodness! Sing for the Soul is a drop-in singing group designed for teens and adults to unwind and connect through music. No prior singing experience is needed, just a passion for music. Also led by Soul Sounds Music Therapy, each session starts with a check-in before diving into singing. Choose songs from the curated songbook or request your favorites as you sing away stress in a relaxed, joyful environment. Experience the wellness benefits of music for yourself! 

Register here 

Created in partnership with Soul Sounds Music Therapy and generously supported by Music Heals Charitable Foundation.

Inner Landscape Sound Bath with Bernadette Wycks  

Drop-in sessions Fridays, February 7 to March 14 

Discover a one-of-a-kind experience in this new workshop that combines relaxation and creativity. Begin your journey with a calming sound bath, designed to center and rejuvenate, before heading to our art studio and channeling the inner world you just experienced through painting. Led by Bernadette Wycks, this transformative workshop merges the healing vibrations of sound with the self-expression of art, offering a unique way to both relax and express yourself. No artistic experience is necessary! Whether you’re seeking relaxation, creative exploration, or both, this workshop is an opportunity to connect with yourself in a truly meaningful way. 

With a BFA from Emily Carr in Vancouver and trained in sound bath facilitation, mindfulness meditation, energy healing and eco-therapy, Bernadette Wycks has navigated the terrain where the healing arts meet the visual arts for over 20 years.

Angela Roy, RCA’s Programming Coordinator adds "The arts is the pathway to wellness, and I experience this in all aspect of our programming! From youth to families to children, the arts can inspire all those around you."

Take some well-deserved you time this year! Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush, moving to music, or crafting something new, workshops and programs at the RCA are designed to inspire joy, reduce stress, and enhance mindfulness. Register for a workshop or book a workplace wellness experience today.