Our Mission

To create experiences that allow individuals to process human emotion & connect with others through art.

Our Vision

We envision a diverse community where everyone is empowered to express themselves in a healthy manner.

Our Values

1. Mental health matters, so does expression.
2. Everyone deserves access and education.
3. The arts unify communities and stimulate innovation.

Our Origin Story

In 2023, in the midst of a mental health crisis, founder Lianna Vélez reached a breaking point and retreated to their basement, searching for stillness and a way to process what they were feeling. There, after nearly 15 years, they picked up an old sketchbook. What came out wasn’t just art — it was a lifeline. They drew a series of colored doors, each representing lessons shaped by their lived experience and a handful of therapy sessions that had stuck with them over the years. With every line and stroke, they felt a sense of release and clarity, along with a powerful realization: art is therapy.

That sketch became the seed for what would grow into the first Fractured & Formed exhibit. Lianna reached out to a local organization where they had been volunteering, seeking support and a space to bring their vision to life. As they began creating the exhibit, they found something they hadn’t felt in a long time — hope. The project gave them something to focus on while they healed, and a way to transform their pain into purpose.

What they didn’t expect was how deeply the exhibit would resonate with others. Visitors found pieces of themselves reflected in the stories and visuals. They lingered, shared, and expressed a sense of connection. In witnessing their responses, Lianna realized they weren’t alone in their struggle or their need for hope.

Fractured & Formed grew from that experience. Today, it exists as a space for reflection, healing, and meaningful connection. Through immersive storytelling, artful design, and mental health-centered exhibits, we invite others to step into their own stories, explore what’s within, and remember that even in our most fractured moments, we are still forming.

The first sketch by Lianna Vélez / Fractured & Formed

Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have a question, are interested in sponsorships, or would like to explore a partnership, feel free to reach out. Use this form or email us directly — we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.