Happiness in Action: Art, The Brain & the Resilient Mind with Patricia Izibicki Ph.D.
Art, The Brain & the Resilient Mind
What happens in the brain when we look at art? What happens when we create it? And could making creativity a regular part of
our lives actually help us stay healthier, more engaged, and more resilient as we age?
We were recently invited by Carole Pichney of the Artists of Palm Beach County to join them at Hatch 1121 Gallery in Lake Worth
for a fascinating talk by Patricia Izibicki Ph.D., on Art, The Brain, & the Resilient Mind.
Surrounded by artwork created by artists from across Palm Beach County, Patricia explored the growing body of research
examining the relationship between artistic engagement, brain health, and longevity. She also introduced the work being
explored through Florida Atlantic University’s Brain Coast Initiative, which brings together different areas of expertise to look at
the bigger picture of how experiences that can seem abstract — creativity, art, expression, connection — can influence the mind
and our overall wellbeing.
One of our favorite takeaways was Patricia’s Five Practices for a Resilient Creative Life:
1. Connect Art with Purpose
Document, contribute, advocate, remember, and build relationships. Creativity can be a way of leaving something behind — and
strengthening the connections we have today.
2. Keep Learning
Try a new material, technique, subject, scale, or format. Staying curious keeps the mind engaged.
3.Create Consistently
Choose process over perfection. Regular engagement matters more than the finished product.
4.Adapt & Practice
Change your tools, pace, posture, duration, or setup as your needs change. Creativity can evolve with us.
5.Create in Community
Exhibit, collaborate, teach, mentor, and exchange feedback. Art becomes even more powerful when it connects us to others.
It was a wonderful reminder that a creative life doesn’t have to mean becoming a professional artist. It can mean staying curious.
Trying something new. Making something with your hands. Visiting a gallery. Sharing an idea. Learning from someone else. Or
simply allowing yourself to see the world a little differently.
At Happiness Club, we believe that making happiness a choice also means continuing to learn, create, connect, and find purpose
at every stage of life.
Thank you to Carole Pichney, Artists of Palm Beach County and Hatch 1121 Gallery for creating such a beautiful space for this
conversation — and to Patricia Izbicki Ph.D, for giving us plenty to think about long after the talk ended.
If you would like to learn more about Patricia and her work visit https://www.patriciaizbickiphd.com/
Additionally if you are interested in the FAU Brain Coast Initiative you can learn more at https://www.fau.edu/brain/masterminds/2025/the-brain-coast/
By Melanie Cabot
