Over 320 Attendees Engage with Arts to “Train Their Brains” Thanks to Palm Health Foundation and Partners
Free events during the foundation’s October 2023 Train the Brain campaign
demonstrated how creative and expressive art experiences positively impact the brain,
body, and behavior, leading to better overall health.
Palm Health Foundation’s seventh annual Train the Brain community health campaign drew over 320 attendees to three free community events focused on “Advancing Wellness Through the Neuroarts” during October 2023. The events were held throughout Palm Beach County to demonstrate the connections between the brain, body, and behavior while celebrating the local arts and culture community. The enlightening and interactive events included:
“The Art of Learning: A Cross-Curricular Art Show & Symposium” on October 19th, featured educators and elementary students at Florida Atlantic’s A.D. Henderson & FAU High School in Boca Raton demonstrating how art can enhance learning for students and people of all ages. Attendees learned from an FAU educator, Lindsey Wuest, and neuroscientist, Dr. David Cinalli, that integrating art into curriculum strengthens memory and recall of taught concepts, even in complex science lessons. They also discovered how art boosts student social and emotional wellness. Attendees were treated to a collection of student art that showcased their creativity intertwined with their neuroscience discoveries. The event was presented in partnership with FAU Lab Schools and the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute.
“The Power of Public Art: A Lunch & Learn” on October 24th, in partnership with the City of Boynton Beach and the Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center, featured a presentation about the importance of art installations in public environments by artist and mental health professional Brian Wood and a walking tour led by the city’s public art coordinator, Stacy Irsay. Attendees learned the science behind how public art benefits health, including anxiety management and regulation of emotions, and how it can improve residents’ perceptions, build community, and combat feelings of social isolation.
“The Science of Singing” on October 26th at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium dazzled and entertained attendees who learned how singing—particularly collective singing—is good for the brain. Attendees joined in a sing-along to fan-favorites Yellow Submarine, Do Re Mi, and Sweet Caroline, followed by a presentation by Dr. Patricia Izbicki about the science of singing and its benefits on brain development for all ages from babies to teens to seniors. The sing-along was led by
The Mind, Music, and Movement Foundation's The Voices of Parkinson's Chorus & Giving Chorus and Florida Atlantic University’s medical student band and chorus groups The Cytokines and Threshold Choir.
“Every event brought community together with mental health professionals, arts enthusiasts, and neuroscientists to highlight how Palm Beach County is leading the country in pioneering the field of neuroarts,” said Patrick McNamara, Palm Health Foundation president and CEO. “Through Train the Brain and the Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative, we are uniting the creative and scientific communities that impact mental health and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.”
Palm Health Foundation has convened the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, the Max Plank Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, and The Palm Beaches to form the Palm Beach County Neuroarts Collaborative to focus on identifying and mapping local partners, programs, resources, and existing research to support the advancement of neuroarts in South Florida. The globally-renowned NeuroArts Blueprint has chosen the collaborative as its first local Community Arts Coalition Partner.
“We are building an entire ecosystem for the neuroarts that will benefit the health of everyone,” said McNamara.
To further advance Palm Beach County as a hub for brain health, Palm Health Foundation invites donors to contribute to The Neuroarts Fund to inspire collaboration between Palm Beach County's cultural assets and world-class brain science institutions, and the Brain Health Innovation Fund, to advance new technologies, treatments, resources, and educational tools for better brain health in Palm Beach County.
About Palm Health Foundation
Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors, and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes, and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $91 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.
About Train the Brain
Train the Brain is a community health campaign annually presented by Palm Health Foundation throughout the month of October. The campaign goal is to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. With information and resources provided, participants are encouraged to make changes in their thinking about mental health conditions and integrate brain healthy habits and self-care behaviors into their daily routines.
