Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

Founded in 2008, the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, is a nonprofit arts space in Washington, DC dedicated to exhibiting fine art that explores the innate connection between healing and creativity. Art has the rare ability to mend social, psychological, and physical ills by building community, inspiring change, and celebrating life. A rotating exhibition schedule features contemporary, international and national artists addressing a diversity of significant themes, such as spirituality, social change, multiculturalism, health, environmentalism, and community.

Founded in 1996, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts (formerly Smith Farm) is a nonprofit health, education, and arts organization offering integrative healing programs and resources that explore physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Dedicated to serving those affected by cancer, we now also offer many of our resources to the community at large. We serve thousands of people each year.

Our mission is to develop and promote healing practices that explore physical, emotional, and mental resources that lead to life-affirming changes for people living with illness and for the community at large.

Our work is based on a single profound idea: that everyone harbors the innate ability to heal even in the face of life’s most serious challenges, and that ability to heal is enhanced by holistic approaches that include the healing power of the arts. Smith Center is a vibrant leader of the DC community—providing healing resources to individuals, families, and communities affected by cancer and other serious illnesses—and was showcased in the 2011-2012 Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the best small charities in the region.

We offer empowering programs and activities for adult survivors and caregivers, as well as support and creative resources for the community at large through our Integrative Patient Navigation Services; Weeklong and One-Day Cancer Retreats; our Artist-In-Residence Program; exhibitions and lectures in The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery; and our Community Resource Center at our U Street facility where we hold ongoing programs, classes, and workshops.

Our educators include noted experts in the arts and health fields and topics include creative writing, painting, diet and nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction.