Employee Wellness Art Sessions

2024-2025

In partnership with the Pasco County Employee Wellness Program

Accessible Creative Workshops for County Employees

Designed, Coordinated and Facilitated by Sarah A. Uys

I collaborate with the director of the Pasco County Wellness Program to design and lead a series of simple, low-pressure art workshops for county staff. These sessions are intentionally structured to be relaxing, achievable, and customizable, giving employees a meaningful creative break during the workday while supporting stress reduction and overall well-being.

Each workshop is designed to be completed in a single session using minimal materials and a very tight budget, requiring careful planning, procurement, and resourcefulness.

Unlike “follow-the-leader” paint nights, these wellness workshops emphasize:

• Accessibility over perfection
• Creative choice over replication
• Relaxation over skill mastery

I provide foundational instruction and offer several variations of the project so participants can personalize their piece. Once the basic concepts are introduced, I step back and encourage self-directed exploration, only offering guidance when needed.

This approach allows participants of all skill levels—including those who have never made art—to experience the benefits of creativity without pressure or comparison.

Projects Offered

1. Acrylic + Painter’s Tape Abstracts

Participants experimented with geometric abstraction using painter’s tape to create dynamic shapes. This method guarantees clean lines and a sense of visual success even for hesitant beginners.

2. Watercolor Fundamentals Session

A gentle introduction to mark-making, blending, color flow, and basic composition. These sessions emphasize mindfulness, observation, and play.

3. Free Art Closet Pop-Up (County Staff Edition)

A special session where we opened up our Free Art Closet by appointment during work hours for county employees. This required cooperation between multiple county departments. Employees got the chance to select from donated art and craft supplies which they could use in their creative practice during their own time.

Health & Wellness Integration

For each workshop, I provide a short write-up explaining the science-backed health benefits of the activity, including:

• Reduced stress levels
• Improved emotional regulation
• Enhanced cognitive flexibility
• Support for burnout recovery
• Increased sense of mastery and agency
• Social connection among coworkers

This educational component bridges my professional roles in both art and public service, helping staff and administrators understand creativity as a legitimate, evidence-supported form of wellness—not a frivolous luxury.

Impact

These sessions have been consistently well-received and well attended, demonstrating a strong need for accessible creative outlets within county departments. Participants frequently describe the workshops as:

“The most relaxing part of my week”

“A reset button for my brain”

“Something I haven’t done since childhood, but I missed it”

The combination of low-pressure instruction, budget-conscious design, and wellness framing creates an environment where staff feel safe to experiment, unwind, and reconnect with creativity.