Help me turn art, culture, and community into a journey of artful healing across America!
Hi! I’m traveling the U.S. with my cat, Mylo, documenting art, culture, and community to explore how creativity connects people, reflects culture, and promotes mental health. Your support helps fund my RV, renovations, travel essentials, the creation of a documentary, and a qualitative study I hope to publish, turning this journey into a story that inspires, educates, and amplifies creative voices.
Every contribution, big or small, fuels art, healing, and purpose in motion.
My Mission:
I’m Dejah ; a 25-year-old recent graduate with a Bachelor’s in Art & Visual Culture (Studio Concentration & Digital Marketing Minor) and a Master’s in Art Therapy. I’ve always dreamed of a life where freedom, art, and purpose intersect - and now, before I begin law school in Fall 2027, I feel called to step into this dream.
The Artful Healing Hub is my journey to explore how art, culture, and community can foster healing and connection. Through this cross-country trip, I will learn, document, and share how creativity brings people together, amplifies voices, and reflects our shared human experience.
This project will also serve as a qualitative study, documenting stories, observations, and reflections with the hope of future publication, contributing to the fields of art therapy, cultural studies, and community mental health.
Why This Journey Matters:
During a life-changing study abroad experience in Chennai, India, I participated in an International Social and Cultural Diversity program integrated with academic training. We spent weeks providing art therapy services in a different culture, learning from local experts, and exploring various cities. That experience opened my eyes to how deeply art connects people across culture, geography, and identity- despite the world’s attempts to separate us.
That pivotal moment inspired me to take my passion for art, community, and mental health, and turn it into something tangible- a journey that reflects my purpose and informs my future work in nonprofit leadership and mental health advocacy.
The Project:
I will travel across the United States in a renovated RV with my cat, Mylo,
documenting stories of creativity, culture, and human connection. This is not just a trip- it’s a full immersion in how communities use art to reflect identity, preserve culture, and heal.
On this journey, I will:
- Visit art museums, galleries, and cultural spaces
- Document curators, artists, and community members through interviews, photography, and short video clips
- Reflect on mental health, culture, and connection through art created along the way
- Share updates on a blog, social media, and ultimately compile a documentary reflecting the journey
- Explore personal growth by creating reflective art inspired by each stop
This journey will directly inform my future goals: launching The Artful Healing Hub nonprofit, attending law school, and advocating for mental health policies and community-centered programs.
I am also open to non-monetary support- from access to resources, equipment, workspace, or connections- that can help make this project a reality and expand its impact.
How Funds Will Be Used:
Your support will directly contribute to:
- RV or mini-bus purchase, registration, & renovation (solar panels, Wi-Fi, safety, comfort)
- Travel expenses: gas, maintenance, campsite fees
- Daily living essentials: food, hygiene, pet care for Mylo
- Art & documentation supplies: camera, tripod, art materials
- Safety and comfort for both me and Mylo
Every contribution, large or small, brings this vision to life!
What Donors Will Have Access To:
Supporters can follow along and engage with the journey through:
- Blog posts and reflections on each stop
- Photos and short video updates from museums, galleries, and communities
- Behind-the-scenes renovation and RV prep updates
- Personal insights, reflections, and artwork inspired by the journey
- Access to the final documentary and project outcomes
- Updates on the qualitative study, as insights and stories are gathered
You’ll be a part of the journey every step of the way, seeing your support create tangible impact
Q&A
Q: Why are you asking for help?
A: To fund the RV purchase, registration, renovation, travel, and daily essentials, making this journey safe and sustainable for both me and Mylo.
Q: What will you create from this journey?
A: A blog documenting stories of art and culture, reflections on mental health and healing, a final documentary, and a qualitative study with hopes of future publication.
Q: How will I know my donation is being used responsibly?
A: I will provide regular updates with photos, videos, and blog posts showing progress, expenses, and milestones.
Q: Will there be collaborations or sponsorships?
A: Hopefully, I am open to collaborating with brands and organizations that support creativity, mental health, and travel, and I am also open to non-monetary resources or connections that make this project possible.
Call to Action
Your contribution, share, or word of encouragement is more than just support -it’s an investment in a journey of faith, creativity, healing, and advocacy.
Help me bring The Artful Healing Hub to life, explore the heart of communities across America, and create a resource that inspires future generations.
Donate, share, or follow along- EVERY action matters.
With faith and gratitude ✨,
Dejah M. Chapple
Organizer
