Lamp Art Project

Lamp Art Project, a pioneering art collective in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, was founded in 1999 as a program to offer therapeutic painting, drawing and ceramics to members. Lamp Art Project offers members and the community as a whole a safe and encouraging environment to express themselves creatively, find empowerment, and supplement their income through artistic development.

Guided by professional artist Hayk Makhmuryan and guest instructors, participants receive training and technical support in drawing, painting, photography, and other media. But more than simply providi...

Lamp Art Project, a pioneering art collective in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, was founded in 1999 as a program to offer therapeutic painting, drawing and ceramics to members. Lamp Art Project offers members and the community as a whole a safe and encouraging environment to express themselves creatively, find empowerment, and supplement their income through artistic development.

Guided by professional artist Hayk Makhmuryan and guest instructors, participants receive training and technical support in drawing, painting, photography, and other media. But more than simply providing an opportunity to develop skills and technique, the Art Project plays a central role in the recovery and stability of numerous clients.

Mental health professionals widely recognize that artistic expression can enhance the well-being and livelihood of men and women living with mental illness while also serving as a bridge to other clinical and supportive services. In past years, more than 70% of Art Project participants have shown increased use of mental health services, which in turn leads to increased wellness and self-sufficiency.

Lamp has long been a trailblazer in permanent supportive housing and harm reduction. Central to this notion is the agency's commitment to continuously develop programming that is both innovative and effective in meeting the unique needs of homeless individuals living with mental illness and other co-occurring disorders. For more than a decade, the Art Project has served as a shining example of Lamp's innovative, service-enriched model.