Using Art to Foster Connection

Vibrant blue lines decorated bright white canvases encircling the Epstein Family Amphitheater for three days this October.

“Breathe with Me,” a public art and mindfulness project at UC San Diego by renowned artist Jeppe Hein, invited participants to use art as a tool to improve mindfulness and connection. Held October 24–26, 2024, the program debuted the Stuart Collection’s annual public programming series: a cross-departmental initiative bringing community-centered, in-person art projects to campus.

“‘Breathe with Me’ aligns with the Stuart Collection’s mission and the spirit of the arts at UC San Diego” said Jess Berlanga Taylor, Director and Curator of the Stuart Collection. “Through this project, we’ve experienced a profound connection—with ourselves, with each other and with the power of collective breath. These canvases reflect the vibrant soul of UC San Diego and beyond, as we continue to foster community-focused, participatory events that are transforming our campus into a destination for the arts.”

Upon entering the canvas-lined pathway, participants were welcomed by volunteers. Standing in front of a blank canvas, they explained the significance of mindful breathing, then handed each participant a paintbrush and invited them to dip the brush into a small can of blue paint. Participants were instructed to inhale and, with each exhale, paint a downward line on the canvas, mirroring the length of their breath. As they repeated this process three more times, participants found their lines grew in length.

“When people paint the first line, like a lot of other things we do for the first time, they’re often nervous,” said Hein. “But then, they start to feel something that’s different. Maybe for the first time, they feel their breath, and the length of the breath becomes longer. The last two lines on the canvas are much longer because you start to relax.

“We’re trying to inspire people to feel connected and to give them a very strong tool: their breath.”

According to Shannon Jordan, director of programs and operations for UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness, breathwork is foundational to mental wellbeing. “There is scientific evidence that when we allow our exhales to be a bit longer than our inhales, exhaling fully, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system and generate a relaxation response,” she shared. “Mindful movement can also have a calming effect on the body, so synching the brush strokes with the breath is a powerful combination with numerous physical and mental benefits to our wellbeing.”

“Breathe with Me” underscores the importance of balance essential to one’s wellbeing and emphasizes that multiple factors — emotional, social, spiritual, etc. — affect overall wellness, chief among them community. As participants breathed and painted, those around them did the same. After painting the lines, participants marveled at their lines nestled among others painted by community members.

Throughout the three-day event, 1,200 UC San Diego students, faculty and staff and San Diego community members participated. Among them were Triton scholar-athletes, as mental wellbeing is vital to their success, said UC San Diego Assistant Athletic Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charity Anderson.

"Community activities like ‘Breathe With Me’ are crucial to our scholar-athletes’ growth," she noted. "They offer them a chance to pause and be present amid their demanding schedules. Breathing practices are a form of self-advocacy, empowering our athletes to make real-time choices with each inhale and exhale. Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing can enhance performance under pressure. Our basketball players can use it to steady their nerves at the free-throw line, while our cross-country runners can regulate their breathing rhythm for peak power and endurance.

As the event’s grand finale on Saturday night, the community gathered for an inspiring conversation with Hein and award-winning actress Laura Linney. Moderated by UC San Diego Executive Director of Campus Performances and Events Colleen Smith, they explored the intersections of art, mental health, mindfulness and community. Hein and Linney highlighted how creativity nurtures well-being and human connection, highlighting the transformative role of art in fostering wellness.

“‘Breathe with Me’ is for everyone, not only art lovers or mindfulness practitioners,” said Hein. “It’s an invitation to try this exercise, to create something meaningful together, and to be part of something larger than ourselves."