The Center of Mental & Spiritual Wellness, Compton’s wellness co-working space, presents “Grounded Visions: Glow in the Dark Paint & Sip” —an inspiring collaboration with What’s Ya Vibe? that celebrates ancestral honor.
This art-centered experience invites participants into a warm, welcoming space aglow with soft neon lights, creating a unique opportunity to connect with their roots through the expressive power of art.
As participants begin painting under the soft, ambient glow, Shalandrea Houchen encourages them to “fill your whole page with as many markers, designs, and elements that help tell the story of your name,” transforming each blank canvas into a personal reflection. Houchen is the founder of What’s Ya Vibe? and curator of the “Grounded Visions” series. She designed the event to include artists of all levels, from beginners to seasoned creators.
“Starting with the basics is essential,” she explains, “because a lot of folks get overwhelmed by creativity. Many say, ‘I can’t draw, I can only make a stick figure,’ so I chose names as a warm-up.” By guiding participants to simply design their names, Houchen creates a pressure-free space for self-expression.
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Lee Hightower III, a personal trainer and chief wellness visionary at What’s Ya Vibe?, sees the event as a powerful way to reconnect with ancestral roots.
“In our community, there’s such a lost connection with our ancestors,” he explains. Many individuals, he notes, have passed away without the community fully addressing the grief.
“We’re making sure that our ancestors stay alive through the wellness center that we’re creating, and then also through the events and being able to create art, being able to honor them, being able to bring up their names, have their pictures be remembered,” he says.
Founded by therapist and holistic practitioner Londen Gatewood, the Center of Mental & Spiritual Wellness is as a soothing sanctuary adorned with lush plants and natural light. After inheriting her grandmother’s home a year ago, Gatewood transformed it into a multi-room facility serving as a gathering space for wellness professionals and community.
Offering services from women’s groups to fitness classes, gardening, mindful meditation, and sound healing, the center embodies her vision of holistic health, creating a balanced environment for all who enter.
Through “Grounded Visions: Glow in the Dark Paint & Sip,” Houchen, Hightower, and Gatewood unite community members in honoring heritage and fostering connections. The event encourages participants to explore self-identity, building confidence and purpose through the simple act of painting their names and surrounding them with symbols of personal meaning.
“By designing your name, they are consciously and subconsciously boosting confidence.” Houchen explains. This event exemplifies the shared mission of both What’s Ya Vibe? and the Center of Mental & Spiritual Wellness: building a harmonious, supportive community where individuals can connect, create, and thrive.
Through gatherings like “Grounded Visions,” Compton’s wellness community continues to grow, rooted in honoring the past and embracing the transformative power of art and wellness.
For updates on “Grounded Visions”and What’s Ya Vibe?, visit wyvibe.org, and to learn more about the Center of Mental & Spiritual Wellness, visit cmswellness.org.
