A year and a half ago, Kristina Kleinert started painting everyday as a way to heal from her divorce.
With three boys and more free time on her hands when they weren’t with her, Kleinert initially took up art as a hobby and now uses it to help others.
“It’s helped because the emotions involved in my divorce were very real,” Kleinert said. “They were very fresh and very difficult. I just feel like I got lucky with art as a way to try to heal. To be able to pay it forward is awesome.”
Kleinert has worked as an Artist in Residence at St. Vincent de Paul Louisville’s Domestic Violence Transitional Housing Program since Dec. 2022.
“There’s a lot to relate to with these residents,” Kleinert added. “I guess for me, it’s been a way for me to honestly process feelings and also release them.”
The Domestic Violence Transitional Housing Program has 18 units for survivors and their families. The program offers housing and services that meet families’ and individuals’ immediate needs for safety and help them exit to stable, permanent housing in the community.
Art is one way to help residents heal.
“I really enjoy the residents and staff. I truly feel so lucky and grateful to be with everyone here creating art,” she said. “It’s hard for me to put it in words—which is kind of the whole thing about art—you don’t have to have words.”
Kleinert says they primarily do acrylic paint on canvases.
“I don’t have any rules,” Kleinert said. “It’s just like play more than anything. Just experimenting and having fun with the process.”
She recalls one evening where every table in the kitchen was full of residents and their kids painting.
“Kristina has done so much wonderful work with helping those we serve through art,” said Danielle Bell, SVDP’s Domestic Violence Transitional Housing Program Manager.
As a domestic violence survivor with one child, “L” attends Kleinert’s art group and finds it “relaxing.” “You don’t think about it as therapy until … you’d rather do this on a Friday night than go to the bar. That’s some type of self-healing,” she said.
“I think one of the impacts art has on those who have been the victim of trauma is its ability to help those individuals express their needs and feelings when unable to express them verbally,” added Matt Weaver, SVDP’s Associate Director of Clinical Services.
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