TheHeARTStudio serves as a sanctuary of healing, a sacred haven where paintbrushes dance, and colors knit tales that defy verbal expression. Founded by the visionary Selina Hyzer, this unassuming refuge draws inspiration from her personal struggles and divine encounters, surpassing the conventional remedies of healing.
God utilized Hyzer’s own struggle, a journey through mental health challenges, and the tumultuous backdrop of her husband’s addiction as an avenue for creativity and purpose. Despite her role as a mental health professional, Hyzer found herself trapped in the cage of her own battles — depression, anxiety, postpartum depression, and more — all while aiding others through traditional healing arts. However, conventional methods fell short for her, and relief came in a divine encounter on a Nashville road.
“I [have] worked in the mental health field since 2010. But the entire time I was doing healing art with all of my participants, I struggled with it myself. My own personal artwork wasn’t even helping me because everything I painted to help release what I was battling internally was just projecting how I felt onto a canvas. So, there I was, trying to instruct and guide people with their own healing through art, yet I was dying inside,” she reflected.
The turning point in Hyzer’s life occurred not within the boundaries of a church building but on a mundane day in her car. A divine presence enwrapped her, prompting her to surrender her pain to a higher purpose. In that moment, God transformed her art from a mere projection of internal struggles to a vessel of healing. The dark and demonic themes were replaced with a divine light, washing away her inner turmoil.
“I felt the Lord call me to birth this vision to smaller communities.”
From that encounter, TheHeARTStudio emerged as a healing arts ministry, a bridge between people and God, interlaced with creativity and compassion. The unique approach involves sharing the gospel through art projects tailored to the specific needs of participants, ranging from treatment centers to nursing homes, hospice care, and even home visits.
“We are working with Jesus to share his heart with his people because they matter.”
TheHeARTStudio operates behind the scenes, avoiding the limelight to respect the sanctity of the spaces they enter. Hyzer’s team, a diverse collaboration of musicians, artists, writers, and prayer warriors, brings a multifaceted approach to cater to the community’s varied needs.
One of the distinctive aspects of TheHeARTStudio is its emphasis on the process, not the product. It’s not about creating masterpieces; it’s about allowing God to guide the hands of participants, irrespective of their artistic skills.
“It’s not about getting the art perfect; it’s about the process through it. The story and the depth behind your artwork are important.”
The inventive projects are designed to reflect personal stories, providing a tangible outlet for participants to express their struggles, fears, and hopes.
Their ministry extends beyond traditional studio settings, conducting paint and praise events open to the public, creating an avenue for supporters to engage and experience the transformative power of art. Hyzer’s live paintings at churches and outreach events are powerful expressions of God’s messages, channeled through her prophetic artistry.
“We’ve had people in wheelchairs who, when we brought in music and worship, got out of their wheelchairs and danced. It’s beautiful,” she said.
Yet, their mission still has its challenges. The ministry often faces the difficulty of sporadic interactions with participants, some of whom they may never see again. The bittersweet reality of the ministry lies in sowing seeds of faith and healing, with the hope that God will continue the work even when they can’t be present.
TheHeARTStudio is not just about creating art; it’s about developing an environment where the heart encounters the divine. Hyzer’s vulnerability and appreciable passion infuse every stroke of paint, every note of music, and every prayer, creating a ministry that profoundly impacts God’s love and the healing power of creativity. TheHeARTStudio is a hidden gem, quietly transforming lives one brushstroke at a time.
“His hand is on their hands when painting or drawing. He is dancing with them. It’s so beautiful. We’ve had people who have dementia or Alzheimer’s, and they cannot remember where their room is down the hall, but they can remember a scripture or a message verbatim, word for word, that we probably talked about with them a month ago, and they bring it back up.” GN
