Art Therapy Patient's Painting Sells for 2.5 Million Dollars

Patients at the Secrets Drug Rehabilitation Center in Dallas, Texas were treated to an amazing surprise when one of the patient's paintings sold to a billionaire in Saudi Arabia for 2.5 million dollars.

Seattle, WA (prHWY.com) June 22, 2012 - Patients at the Secrets Drug Rehabilitation Center in Dallas, Texas were treated to an amazing surprise when one of the patient's paintings sold to a billionaire in Saudi Arabia for 2.5 million dollars. The painting was available for sale at a recent art exhibit in downtown Dallas.

"Every year we take some of the paintings our former patients created during art therapy and offer them up for auction", said Secrets Drug Rehabilitation Center's director Barney Smith. "We have permission from the patients to sell them, and we just think it's a great way to raise funds for the center while also raising awareness on drug addiction."

Secrets Drug Rehabilitation Center uses art therapy as a form of elective treatment that the patients can undergo. Art therapy requires individuals to paint in a way that reflect their mood, emotional state, or cravings. Many patients have been noted that art therapy has been extremely successful and helped them through a difficult time.

The paintings were on display in downtown Dallas for four weeks. Individuals could come and view the paintings and place bids on them should they wish to add them to their personal collection. The bidding process lasted until the last day of the auction.

"We usually just place the paintings on display with no hopes of really selling them", said Smith. "We just want to raise awareness for our cause. We were extremely shocked when the director called us and said that he would like to see us in person to discuss a bid that was placed on a painting."

The painting titled 'A Walk through Troubled Times' was painted by a patient at Secrets Drug Rehabilitation Center during an extensive therapy treatment for heroin addiction. The painter who wished to remain anonymous said that it reflects a darker point in time when he was wrestling with many inner demons.

"We were shocked at the amount of the bid that we received", said Smith. "I don't think a painting has ever gone for that amount. We honestly aren't sure what we will use the money for."

Secrets Drug Rehabilitation Center has expressed a desire to create an art ward where individuals can engage in art therapy on a peaceful scale. The money will also go to help refurnish the center and purchase new art supplies.

"We have also decided to waiver all medical bills that the individual who painted the picture had", said Smith. "It was the least we could do. After all, it was his painting that sold."

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Tag Words: drug rehab center

Categories: Health

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