Mobile Art Therapy Studio Process
Travel through the process of our mobile art therapy studio, from grant proposal to fully finished mobile studio.
You can also follow the progress on Instagram with #ArtReachMobileStudio
Currently
Renovating the Bus
The bus is currently being retrofitted and transformed from a school bus into the mobile art studio of our dreams.
Stay tuned as we post about it's transformation!✨🚐
The final steps are in progress:
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Interior setup
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Electric
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Filling with art supplies
Completed Steps:
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Officially registered with the DMV
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Passed inspection
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The bus has been decertified as a school bus and recertified as a commercial vehicle
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Exterior design is completed, thank you Thirty Two Signs!
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The sink setup is placed
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Old flooring is out, new flooring is in - which was repurposed from a previous project
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Seats are removed
October 2025
The exterior is complete!
From a vision to reality...our mobile art therapy studio’s exterior is complete!
We’re beyond grateful to ThirtyTwo Signs in North Franklin, CT for capturing the spirit of what we do — creativity, community, and care on wheels.
We can’t wait to get on the road! 💛
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August 2025
Bus is Named!
Say hello to ArtReach: Where art travels, healing follows.
Our mobile art therapy studio now has its official name - a perfect reflection of our mission to deliver creativity, emotional support, and connection wherever it’s needed most.
Thank you to everyone who made suggestions and voted over the summer!
June 2025
Bus is Acquired
We officially have a bus for our mobile art therapy studio! ✨🚌🎨
We're so excited to bring creativity on the road and make art therapy more accessible than ever. Stay tuned and follow along as we transform this bus into a traveling studio full of color, healing, and inspiration.
May 2025
Pitch Event
Artlighten was announced as one of 7 finalists and invited to pitch the proposal at WBDC's Women-Owned Business Day event at our capitol's Legislative Office Building.
We are so grateful to be one of the 4 grant recipients! Thank you, Women's Business Development Council - we are grateful for this opportunity and your belief in what Artlighten can continue to provide throughout Connecticut.
Thank you to Gilda Bonanno, Carol Cheswick, and Samantha Cross for your mentorship in public speaking, and a special shoutout to Fran Pastore, who none of this would be possible without her original vision for WBDC. Thank you to Libertas for their investment, as well as The Cigna Group and JPMorganChase. And thank you to the judges Tasha Jackson, Gabriela Rosado, and Rafia Zahir-Uddin.
February 2025
Grant Proposal
Artlighten submitted a grant proposal for the Women's Business Development Council's Accelerate Grant. This grant is designed to help women-owned businesses grow and is highly competitive. Artlighten submitted a proposal that would expand and mobilize our services throughout the state: a mobile art therapy studio.
