In Heber City, Utah, a unique blend of art and emotional healing is taking shape at Alchemy Art, where local artist Shanoa Allowitz has introduced a six-session art therapy course aimed at providing students with both creative expression and emotional release. Located in the historic Old Town area of Heber City, Alchemy Art has quickly become a sanctuary for individuals seeking to explore their feelings through the medium of art. The inaugural class began with a simple yet profound exercise. Allowitz guided her two students through a meditative process, asking them to close their eyes and reflect on a significant relationship in their lives. This moment of introspection set the stage for a creative journey, as Allowitz demonstrated a technique known as neurographic art, developed by Russian psychologist Pavel Piskarev. With a pencil in hand, she made a continuous, looping line on paper, encouraging her students to follow suit and let their pencils guide them. "If you’re totally winging it, and you’re like, ‘This is not connecting at all for me. I have no idea what she’s talking about,’ that’s OK," Allowitz reassured her students, creating a safe space for exploration. The session evolved as students painted within the shapes they had created, utilizing watercolors and outlining their designs with Sharpie markers. The result was a vivid expression of their emotions, with Allowitz’s painting resembling a stained-glass window viewed under a microscope. Danielle Turner, a former general manager of Park City Television, found solace in this creative process. After moving to Heber City to care for her aging parents, Turner stepped away from her demanding career to rediscover herself. In her artwork, she depicted a colorful hot air balloon adorned with Christmas lights, symbolizing her family with each bulb representing herself, her two children, and her parents. "There was no time for me," Turner explained, adding that she is now in a phase where she is eager to explore personal interests and hobbies. Debbie Wilhelmy, another participant in the class, expressed the challenges of transitioning from photography to painting. As a fitness instructor from Kamas, she had spent over 30 years capturing sports and nature through her lens. However, with her eyesight declining, she sought new avenues for creative expression. "Painting has been challenging compared to photography," Wilhelmy remarked, acknowledging her desire to overcome perfectionism and embrace the art of painting from the heart. Allowitz, who has over 23 years of teaching experience, integrates emotional healing into her lessons, having witnessed students process significant life events through their artwork. She recalled one student who created a portrait in memory of a deceased spouse, stating, "I think it was a good cry. It was something where they were able to remember them and fond memories, but they also missed them." Having moved to Heber City and remarried, Allowitz began her foray into art therapy in 2024 as a means to connect with others and explore new artistic techniques, including mandala art and Zentangle. Her own therapeutic works delve into various themes, showcasing her journey and emotional landscape. One of her pieces portrays a blue die tipping over, symbolizing instability, while another reflects on her relationship with her body through abstract imagery. Allowitz launched art therapy courses in February 2025, aiming to share the therapeutic benefits of art with the community. Her classes are open to both adults and children aged six to 14, who often approach creative expression with fewer inhibitions. While children focus on simple themes like animals and family, adults tend to be more reserved, requiring gentle encouragement to tap into their emotional depths. "You’re trying to use a visual language to solve, say, a situation or a relationship that you’re not sure what to do with," Allowitz explained. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with the creative process rather than fixating on the end result, a lesson she hopes to impart to her students. "Art lessons here aren't just about learning art. My goal with Alchemy Art is to build a supportive, creative community where people can relax, be themselves, and support one another while using art as a positive and meaningful outlet." Alchemy Art's art therapy courses are available for additional students, with a flat rate of $200 for adults and $180 for children for the full six weeks. An introductory session was offered free of charge, inviting community members to experience the therapeutic power of art firsthand. For more information, individuals can visit Allowitz’s website at artbyshanoa.com, where they can learn about upcoming classes and events designed to foster creativity and emotional healing in the heart of Heber City.