Art has always been a huge part of third-year neuroscience student Ansley Martin’s identity. Inspired by her grandmother, a talented painter who had developed a tremor in her hand due to Alzheimer’s medication, Martin came to a realization. The very thing her grandmother was afraid to do could be what helped her, thus beginning the research to the science behind it.
In November 2024, Martin and fourth-year art education student Stella Tew proposed Vibrant Minds — a student-led, peer-reviewed, research-backed art therapy program — to USC’s Brain Health Center. Its goal was to create a program that hosts classes that teach therapeutic art techniques based on current science shown to help with improving motor skills.
“I think, in the science world, there has been a shift,” Martin said. “People used to turn their nose up at the arts … The arts just aren’t as valued anymore in our society, but I think in the past five years, there’s been a shift in understanding the really important intersection between arts and science.”…