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Hello Rick and Maria,
The inspiration for The Zentangle Foundation came from a generous donation by Judy, one of over 7,000 Certified Zentangle Teachers in over 80 countries. The Zentangle Method had been a vital part of her life and her healing. She wanted to support others to become Zentangle teachers.
From that seed, the foundation was established in 2016 with three pillars of service:
- Community outreach to provide Zentangle materials and instruction to served communities
- Scholarships for Certified Zentangle Teacher training
- Research into clinical and therapeutic applications of the Zentangle Method
There are countless stories of how this simple, yet profound practice of putting pen to paper has transformed lives. It has brought more joy, more creativity and more friendships to people in all walks of life all over the world. It also benefits people who are living with anxiety, depression, addiction, phobias, pain management, traumatic stress, and more.
We use scientific research to understand how and why a Zentangle practice is so transformative and beneficial. We support bringing the Zentangle practice to communities that can benefit from it. The Zentangle Method is easy to learn and accessible to most everyone. It requires minimal time, space, cost, or materials. It is easy to maintain a Zentangle practice.
The Zentangle Foundation has provided financial and material support to serve diverse populations including homeless, behavioral health and social workers, LGBTQIA+, veterans, and staff and students at educational institutions. We have funded studies to determine the impact of practicing the Zentangle Method with people diagnosed with mental health disorders. Recipients of the scholarships have shared the Zentangle Method with their communities.
Over the years there has been a dramatic increase in people seeking creative outlets for their personal well-being. It has become clear that we, as human beings, are facing more stress and challenges in our everyday lives than ever before. We all desire a way to reduce stress and better face the challenges. It has been proven that creative outlets positively affect mood, confidence, and mental health. Zentangle artists worldwide have found that a Zentangle practice provides creative confidence, calmness, and a positive shift in perspective and the Zentangle Foundation has helped the Zentangle Method reach those communities who need it most.
This month, as part of Zentangle's 20th Anniversary celebration, we will honor the Zentangle Foundation through blogs, stories and tangling prompts.
You can learn more about the Zentangle Foundation at zentanglefoundation.org
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