Art as Therapy
Art as Therapy provides weekly, trauma-informed arts programming for foster children at Pepper’s Ranch, offering consistent creative routines that support self-reflection, emotional regulation, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Art as Therapy Program Mission
Encouraging participants to communicate thoughts and emotions through creative exploration.
Providing a calming, supportive environment that promotes emotional healing and well-being.
Building confidence and self-worth through personal creativity and accomplishment.
Creating a safe space where participants feel seen, heard, and encouraged.
Guiding personal growth and resilience through meaningful artistic experiences.
Art as Therapy at Peppers Ranch
The Art as Therapy Program at Peppers Ranch provides a safe, supportive space where creativity becomes a pathway to healing. Led by experienced teaching artist Leigh Smith, this program is designed to help youth explore emotions, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills through artistic expression.
Rooted in the belief that art can be both transformative and restorative, the program encourages participants to communicate thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to express with words. Through guided projects and open-ended exploration, students engage in a variety of visual art forms; each offering opportunities for self-discovery, reflection, and personal growth.
Art as Therapy is a compassionate, student-centered approach, fostering an environment of trust, encouragement, and creativity. By meeting participants where they are, students are empowered to take creative risks, develop new skills, and find a sense of accomplishment in their work.
The impact of the program extends beyond the classroom. Participants often experience increased emotional awareness, improved self-esteem, and a stronger sense of connection to themselves and others. Art becomes not only an outlet, but a tool; supporting resilience, healing, and hope.
ART AS THERAPY INSTRUCTOR
LEIGH SMITH
Leigh Smith is an art therapist and educator with over twenty years of experience working with children and adolescents. She earned my bachelor’s degree in Art and Psychology from Western State University of Colorado and my master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Southwestern College.
Get to Know Us
At Pepper’s Ranch, Leigh leads the therapeutic art groups for foster children, offering a consistent, nurturing space where creativity becomes a pathway for expression, healing, and self-discovery. Through reflective journaling, thoughtful prompts, and hands-on art processes in drawing, painting, and mixed media, she supports emotional regulation, confidence, and resilience.
In addition to her clinical work, she has founded a homeschool knitting group and facilitates small-group circles that support children navigating coming of age themes, including puberty, body literacy, and hygiene, helping to bring dignity and openness to important developmental transitions. Her work is rooted in a holistic, relationship-centered approach that honors each child’s story and affirms the arts as a powerful tool for growth and belonging.
About Peppers Ranch
A Community Where Healing Begins
Peppers Ranch Foster Care Community seeks to “break the cycle” of child abuse and neglect through loving homes, counseling, and growth-oriented activities. By creating a network of caring foster parents and adult mentors on whom children can depend, Peppers Ranch is committed to providing a safe and secure environment where physical and emotional wounds can heal.
