Yexenia Vanegas
Yexenia is a dedicated clinical social worker with a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan. She holds an undergraduate degree in Anthropology from the City College of New York and has six years of experience as a certified teacher and art educator in Detroit, Michigan. Yexenia is passionate about working with children and families, employing anti-oppressive frameworks in her clinical practice to create inclusive and supportive environments.
As an entrepreneur and the creator of Healing Arts, her focus is facilitating art experiences and developing mental health products to improve mental health outcomes in various communities.
“At Healing Arts we are on a mission to help everyday people access the many health benefits of the creative process.”
Yexenia was a full time teacher and art educator for public schools in New York City and Detroit for close to a decade. Her skill set and passions are at the intersections of art, healing, social justice, family health and childhood development. Having been a popular educator for over a decade -in both traditional school settings and in movement work- her experience ranges from small group art instruction to organizing large scale art builds/events for political actions. Yexenia plans to become a clinician after graduate school and open her own fully bilingual integrated health and wellness practice with a focus on art as therapy.
Art Education
Yexenia has been working with children in Art Education since 2013- from asisstant director of an afterschool program to teaching artist in summer camps and most recently as a full time art educator for Detroit public schools. She also works as a teaching artist with Motor City Street Dance Academy and is Director of the Healing Arts Youth Progam at Healing by Choice! With a decade of experience in the field its no surprise her lessons and projects are mix of science, exploration and self-expression.
Creating Colors- Children ages 5-6 learn about color theory and engage their knowledge using age appropriate tools for motor skill development. Children use sponges and primary colors to create new colors.
Exploration- Before engaging in direct instruction for a project students are encouraged to explore the materials. This painting was created by a 7 year old during water color exploration.
Paper Marbling- Made by children ages 5-13 during a Healing Arts Space event. Children learned the essentials of print making using unique and unusual techniques to add color and design on to paper.
Sciene Meets Art- In this lesson students learn why oil and water don't mix by engaging with an art technique called a "resist." Watercolor and oil pastels reveal the science of repelling while creating bright and beautiful artwork. Ages 5-13.
Artwork
As a mixed media artist Yexenia combines, water color, salt, tape, collage and words to make unique art that calls in healing, nature and beauty. She has been in art shows, and comissioned by organizations to create artwork at the intersections of healing, politics and social justice.
Art in Action
During Yexenia’s time as chair of Arts and Culture as well as theomusicologist for the Michigan chapter of the new Poor Peoples Campaign, she was in charge of designing banners, flyers and organizing art builds as well as leading folks in song and chant during local, statewide and national actions.
What Kids Are Saying
“My favorite part was the sunset project. We learned new things about color .”
— Art Student
“I liked everything about art class. She treated all the students fairly.”
— Art Student
“I wish we had more time in her class. She is really good at communicating and setting good vibes.”
— Art Student
“I really liked the Jean Michel Basquiat project and that she gave us responsibilities.”
— Art Student