Expressive arts, such as painting, drawing, mosaics, pottery, music, and more, are regularly integrated into rehabilitative day treatment and the mental health recovery process. A full-time art director travels to each branch teaching members fundamental principles of the arts through group and individual lessons.
Artistic experience helps members in many areas of their recovery journey, including coping skills, building self-confidence, enhancing communication with others, and allowing them to express thoughts and emotions in a safe and powerful way. Beyond assisting with member recovery, the expressive arts program provides a way to build a bridge to the community. Through the past 20 years of the program, members of Birch Tree Communities have exhibited and sold hundreds of thousands of dollars in art. Artwork created by our members is displayed in homes and businesses all over the state, which helps to share the mission of our organization and the stories of our members.
Annual Art Show
Birch Tree Communities hosts an Annual Expressions Art Show, typically held in the spring, to exhibit and sell artwork created by the members of Birch Tree Communities. Members create art with the guidance of the art director throughout the year, which is gathered and prepared to exhibit in a single show that draws hundreds of attendees and includes live entertainment, food, drinks, a live auction of premiere pieces, and more.
Unique to the Expressions Art Show, all proceeds from art sales go directly to the member and artist of the piece, contributing to their journey to independence. In the past, funds from art sales have gone to assist members with purchasing vehicles, independent apartments, housing items, and more. Purchasing a piece of art from a member of Birch Tree Communities can directly impact their future and outlook on life.
In 2026 we are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of our Expressive Arts Show. The show will take place on Thursday, April 9 from 5:30-8:00pm at the Albert Pike Masonic Center in Little Rock. Click here for more information about the show or to purchase tickets.
The Art Director
Stacy Owens serves as the Art Director at Birch Tree Communities, where she leads the vision for expressive arts programming, exhibitions, and creative experiences across the organization. She brings a deep belief in the power of art as a tool for communication, confidence-building, and connection, and oversees expressive arts initiatives designed to meet people where they are, honor each individual’s voice, and create meaningful opportunities for creative growth. She travels to branches of Birch Tree Communities across the state to teach art directly to members, and is especially passionate about building inclusive, joyful, and empowering creative spaces where everyone can experience themselves as an artist.
Stacy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Henderson State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Southern Arkansas University and is a member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA). She brings more than 10 years in art education and nearly two decades of experience as an artist, designer, and creative professional, with a background spanning fine art, graphic design, photography, and digital media.
Outside of Birch Tree Communities, Stacy is the founder of SOS: Stacy Owens Studio, where she creates bold, whimsical, story-driven artwork inspired by people, places, and playful imagination. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and cooking for the people she loves, often finding creative inspiration in everyday moments and bringing those experiences back into her personal work and the programs she leads.
