Delaney Hartigan

Artist Biography

Delaney is a graduating Interior Architecture student from Hoboken, NJ who has always had a passion for art and design. She took painting classes from a young age and always knew she wanted to pursue a career in the arts. During her time at Endicott, Delaney has been a part of the Deans list all four years, is a member of the Kappa Pi International Arts Honor Society, and was the Advocacy/Public Relations Subcommittee head for Relay for Life for three years. Delaney has completed internships at the luxury Residential firm J. Patryce Design in Hoboken, NJ, the luxury Residential firm Enda Donagher Architects in New York City, and the Architecture firm Winter Street Architects in Salem, MA. Following graduation, she will be interning for JLL in their new Design Solutions wing and is very excited to see what the future holds.

Thesis Abstract

In many areas of the United States, adolescents living in low-income neighborhoods struggle with mental health troubles. These kids have no access to therapies to help them talk through or express their thoughts in healthy ways. Studies have shown that many will turn to violence or other harmful actions when they are not given other chances to process and work through their emotions. Along with having no access to resources, schools located in low-income communities often cut art programs due to an emphasis on classes like math and science. It has been proven that creative mediums like art therapy, dance, painting, drawing, and singing can positively impact someone’s mental and physical well-being. There is a great need for an arts health center that offers therapy resources as well as different creative programs to help adolescents channel and process their feelings. It will focus on “reducing stress, increasing happiness, and promoting self-discovery”, which is very important for developing children/teens living in low-income communities. Other design elements such as natural light, biophilia, and color theory are also very beneficial for increasing positivity, and happiness, and promoting a healthy environment. Utilizing design elements and therapies to help promote healthy mental and emotional well-being can have a great impact on adolescents living in low-income communities who are not given the proper resources or education.