Community Voices: Twyana Davis, Mindful Masterpieces Teaching Artist
- We Amplify Voices
- Jul 31
- 7 min read
"The most memorable and meaningful part of this class was Twyana’s encouragement to each of her attendees. She took time with each participant, she was patient, and encouraged all of us to be patient with ourselves. She said if we were non judgmental of ourselves then we would be happy with the outcome of our sketches…and she was correct."-Workshop Participant
In every class she leads, teaching artist Twyana Davis does more than guide participants through creating art, she creates a space for reflection, calm, and connection.
In our latest Community Voices Interview (featured above), Twyana shares how her approach to mindful art helps participants stay grounded and supported. This blog expands on that conversation, diving deeper into her practices, her advocacy work, and the ripple effect her classes are having across the community.
Some people come to Twyana’s classes to learn art techniques. Others come to meet people, or because they’re feeling down and need something to look forward to. But everyone leaves with something deeper—moments of reflection, self-compassion, and healing that lasts well beyond the time in the studio.
Bonus: At the end, Twyana shares how she stays grounded each day, and how you can bring the same practices into your own life.
Twyana's Artistry and Advocacy
In her Mindful Masterpieces classes, Twyana invites participants to slow down, breathe, and approach the creative process with curiosity rather than judgment. This approach gives people the space to explore their emotions and discover their own inner resilience.
Twyana shares, "love to create art, I love to help people connect with themselves and create beautiful pieces of art for themselves. Because sometimes I feel like we get so busy and so caught up in the world that we forget to check in with ourselves and see how we're actually doing."
Twyana is also a Represent Justice Ambassador Alumni. Represent Justice’s mission is to “turn stories into action by building narrative power within system-impacted communities and mobilizing audiences to transform the legal system,” and Twyana’s work embodies this mission.
"Twyana Davis brings light to social injustices, trauma, and the voices of the system-impacted, inspiring audiences to think beyond boundaries and embrace change," notes Represent Justice.
Through her dual roles as artist and advocate, Twyana creates spaces—both in and out of the studio—where people feel seen, supported, and empowered. This unique blend of artistry and advocacy makes her classes so impactful.
Making WAVes Through Mindful Masterpieces
The Ripple Effect: How Twyana’s Classes Impact the Community
Every person who walks into a Mindful Masterpieces class brings their own story with them—and often, the class becomes a turning point in that story.
Hear from Jackie as she shares some of her artwork and how Twyana's instruction impacted her (through her words and song).
You can also watch the full video featuring participants sharing what the workshops have meant to them. Two of these powerful stories are shared below.
For some, these classes have been a lifeline during seasons of grief or hardship:
“For the past year and a half, I've actually had a really hard time battling anxiety and depression. In February, I actually lost my dad to cancer. I had gone down… I didn't have any hope. I had my faith, but it was struggling even. So when Mary Kay invited me to this class, I just felt like it was something I should do. My dad was an artist, and I wanted to have some way of connecting to him. When I came the very first time, there was a peace that was here. I felt like I just belonged, like it was an immediate comfort. I don't even know how to explain it. I felt comfortable with everyone here.”
For others, the workshops have become a meaningful part of their recovery journey.
I found out about this program while I was in a recovery center for addiction. Twyana was coming by to do art on Tuesdays, but it didn’t fit my schedule. My peer support pointed me to We Amplify Voices on Saturdays, and I’ve been here since. I was already starting to get into art while I was in recovery, and I found out it was a good coping method to keep my mind out of the funk, out of the gutter. Coming here and having more people to share it with led me to share some other stuff I like to do—I like to write poetry, too. Some people share poetry here, they share art, and there are so many different ways to do it.”- Brandell
These experiences are echoed again and again by participants:
“I felt very encouraged and accepted, along with all the other participants. It was a safe environment to just relax, meditate and explore art. Twyana made the whole experience amazing with her focus on calming your thoughts and creating. She was an amazing instructor.”
"The workshop gave me something to look forward to.”
“I’m not much for sharing, but Twyana created a safe space to be myself without judgment.”
And the ripple effects of these workshops don’t stop when the class ends:
“I have set aside time at home to do my own mindful art. It’s so relaxing.”
“It showed me that no matter where you are in life, sometimes the simplest things in life can bring you peace.”
“Go for it! Do it because you will find it frees you of self-doubt, and you will discover that you can create if you allow yourself the chance… take advantage of the opportunity!”
These moments of healing, connection, and self-discovery are what bring the magic to Mindful Masterpieces.
The Bigger Picture: Building a Healthier, More Connected Community
The stories participants share are powerful, but they’re also part of a bigger picture—one where Mindful Masterpieces is measurably improving emotional health, connection, and belonging. By offering accessible creative and mental health support, Twyana’s workshops have become a vital resource for people seeking healing and connection.
Since the start of the program in 2024, more than 100 participants have attended over 80 Mindful Masterpieces classes through our We Amplify Voices programming. Classes have been held at WAV’s Franklinton space as well as at outreach locations like the Goodwill Art Studio, Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions, LifeCare Alliance, and the Fran Ryan Center. Participants stay connected, move between sites, celebrate birthdays, and even share their other talents—like poetry or music—with each other. A true community of care has emerged.
And the numbers behind this community tell a powerful story.
Emotional Awareness and Empathy:
Participants who said, “I can easily identify my emotions” jumped from 62% before the class to 80% afterwards, an 18% increase.
Those who agreed, “I can often understand how people are feeling” rose by 16%, showing deepened emotional intelligence.
Sense of Belonging:
Every participant surveyed said the program was useful to them, that they felt safe participating, and that they felt supported by the staff.
95% said they felt truly seen.
98% felt encouraged to share their experiences, a cornerstone of trauma-informed programming.
Connection to Community:
Over 90% of participants agreed that “Art helps me feel closer to my community” and “I feel more connected to people when I create with them.”
The process of making, doing with others, expanded out past these walls.”
The combination of creative expression, emotional grounding, and community support is what makes Mindful Masterpieces so impactful, and why the ripple effects continue to grow long after class ends. Twyana intentionally creates this space to support every individual who comes in.
Try This at Home: Twyana’s Daily Grounding Practice
Twyana’s approach to grounding is simple, but powerful: she takes intentional time to pause, reflect, and check in with herself.
“I stay grounded by every day taking some time for myself. The world is so loud sometimes that before I do anything, I’ll meditate and spend some time with myself.”
Here’s how she integrates this grounding practice throughout her day, and how you can try it too:
Morning:
“I believe it’s always a good practice to spend quiet time in the morning with yourself. Gather your thoughts before you start your day.You’ll be surprised at how well-rounded you feel throughout the day by taking a little time for yourself.”
Throughout the day:
“Staying in an attitude of gratitude will open your eyes to all of the good things going on around you and in you.”
End of day:
“In the same way, when the day is over I’ll take some time to reflect on my day and see how everything went. I do a self-check to see, ‘How is Twyana doing?’ I just be honest with myself, and if something is wrong I try to identify what that issue is so I can address it.”
This rhythm of morning reflection, gratitude breaks, and evening self-checks takes just a few minutes a day, but it’s a way to stay grounded in a busy, noisy world.
Get Involved in the Ripple Effect
We are deeply grateful to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and The Columbus Foundation for their generous support of this program, and Twyana Davis for the heart and dedication she brings to every single class. Her artistry and advocacy are creating ripples of healing and connection across Franklin County.
Now we invite you to be part of the impact:
For Individuals
Register for a workshop and experience the power of mindful art for yourself.
Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when the next Mindful Masterpieces class is scheduled.
Pay it forward: make a donation to help someone else attend the workshop.
For Nonprofits
If you work with a community that would benefit from the healing power of art, reach out to us. We can explore how to bring Mindful Masterpieces to your organization.
For Businesses & Community Partners
Sponsor a round of Mindful Masterpieces workshops and offer them as a resource for your team and the wider community. Together, we can strengthen mental wellness and connection across Franklin County.
Programs like Mindful Masterpieces thrive because of the collective effort of individuals, partners, and organizations who believe in their value. We invite you to join us in our mission of healing communities through creative expression.
