Finding Light Through Art: Karin Sher’s Healing Work at Gesher
For Karin Sher, art has never been just a creative pursuit. “Art was my sanctuary,” she says. “It was how I learned to move through the world and make sense of it.” That lifelong connection to creativity has now become the foundation of her work as an art therapy intern at The Ark’s Gesher program, where she helps adults living with mental health challenges find new ways to express themselves, connect, and heal.
Karin’s path to art therapy began in Israel, where she was independent artist before pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Multidisciplinary Art at Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art in Tel Aviv. What began as private art lessons for extra income soon evolved into something deeper.
“Many of the students were seeking more than technical skill. They were looking for emotional release and a way to process life’s challenges through creativity,” Karin recalls. “That’s when I realized art can be so much more than creation. It can be a form of healing.”
Over the years, Karin collaborated with nonprofits, rehabilitation centers, and schools in Israel to facilitate creative workshops focused on connection. These experiences, she says, helped her see how “art can bring light and dignity into moments of struggle.”
Karin’s Work at The Ark
Today, as she pursues her Master’s in Art Therapy and Counseling at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Karin continues that work through her clinical internship at Gesher, a program that supports clients through therapeutic, creative, and community-based activities in a warm and inclusive environment.
At Gesher, Karin leads both group and individual art therapy sessions, creating safe spaces for clients to explore emotions, memories, and meaning through creative expression. Her group, Healing Through Art, offers weekly prompts designed to open gentle pathways to self-reflection. “One day, I might ask them to create a place that feels safe,” she explains. “Other times, I use the weekly Torah portion as inspiration. For example, when we studied Lech Lecha, which can mean both ‘go forth’ and ‘go to yourself,’ we reflected on what it means to step into the unknown and to trust our own journey.”
Whether clients work in paint, collage, or mixed media, Karin emphasizes that the goal is never the final product – it’s the journey.
“It’s not about being Picasso. It’s about letting go, being playful, and giving yourself permission to express whatever you feel. That’s where healing happens. My role is to create a space where they feel safe enough to explore.”
Seeing Art in the World
Recently, Karin organized a therapeutic tour of the Art Institute of Chicago, focusing on the works of Marc Chagall, a Jewish artist whose story of exile, faith, and resilience resonated strongly with Gesher participants. She curated the experience herself, selecting pieces that reflected Chagall’s spiritual and emotional journey, and even created reflective booklets for participants to engage with during the visit.
Giving Support and Finding Support
For Karin, working at The Ark has been transformative. “I never imagined I would find a place like this,” she says. “From the moment I arrived, everyone welcomed me with open arms. I feel safe, supported, and inspired every day.” She describes Gesher as “a place full of light,” where staff truly care for each individual and where clients rediscover joy and confidence through creative expression.
As Karin continues her journey toward becoming a licensed art therapist, she carries with her the lessons she’s learned from Gesher’s community. “The people here remind me that each of us carries light within us,” she says. “When we create together, through art, music, movement, or words, we give that light space to shine.”
Looking ahead, Karin’s biggest long-term goal is to establish subsidized art therapy centers in Israel. Currently, there isn’t a dedicated center in Israel that focuses solely on art therapy. Her hope is to bring her knowledge and experience back to Israel, specializing in trauma and post-trauma work, and to support people there, especially after everything they’ve been through since October 2023.
Through her work, Karin Sher is helping clients find beauty in self-expression and strength in connection. A living example of how art can transform what hurts into what heals.
If you would like to see more of Karin’s work and explore her portfolio, click here.
