About Us
Who We Are
Color of Life Foundation is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit Artistic Expressive Treatment Facility dedicated to transforming lives through creativity. We provide a safe, open, and inclusive space where individuals can explore personal growth, healing, and self-expression through fine art. Inspired by experiential environments like children’s creative museums, where imagination, play, and artistic freedom thrive we bring that same spirit to individuals navigating mental health challenges and recovery journeys.
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower individuals to rediscover purpose, build identity, and achieve personal development through structured artistic expression and community support. We believe that art is not just creative—it is therapeutic. Through guided programs, we help stimulate cognitive and emotional growth, supporting both the visual cortex and the limbic system, encouraging healing from within.
What We Do
Color of Life Foundation partners with inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse programs throughout the San Diego area. We work with individuals who have:
- Experienced mental health challenges such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and ADHD
- Overcome substance abuse and completed rehabilitation programs
- Transitioned from incarceration and are seeking a positive path forward
Our approach includes a careful vetting process to ensure participants are ready to engage in a constructive, supportive environment.
Our Programs
We offer a diverse range of artistic disciplines designed to inspire creativity and personal expression:
- Painting
- Academic (still life & portrait)
- Abstract Expressionism (inspired by Hans Hofmann techniques, layering & mixed media)
- Drawing
- Pencil & charcoal life drawing
- Sculpture
- Clay molding (wheel work)
- Woodworking & Mixed Media
All classes are led by experienced staff trained in both fine arts and certified mental health and substance abuse counseling.
Community & Recognition
We believe recognition plays a vital role in personal growth. That’s why we actively showcase our participants’ work through:
- Social media platforms (X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Reddit)
- Artist interviews and testimonials
- Public engagement and storytelling
Each piece of art represents a journey—one of resilience, transformation, and self-discovery.
Located in the South Bay of San Diego, just south of the naval shipyard, our facility is a large, open, and protected environment designed for creative freedom. It’s a place where individuals are encouraged to “get messy,” explore without judgment, and fully immerse themselves in the artistic process.
