Martha Valenta’s
Lost & Found Meditation
A Traveling Art Installation Fostering Acceptance and Understanding of ADHD
People with ADHD are three times more likely to experience anxiety disorders compared to those without ADHD. Lost & Found Meditation is a walking meditation labyrinth which morphs into a maze, reflecting the ADHD experience—specifically ADHD struggles with meditation.
While traditional meditation aims for calm and focus, many people with ADHD find that their minds race, and instead of peace, they experience chaos. The design becomes more of a maze than a straightforward labyrinth, symbolizing how ADHD turns simple tasks, like meditation, into complex challenges.
Listen to the Original Score for Lost & Found Meditation
“Get Lost (Find Yourself)” Music by Matt Clemetsen, lyrics by Martha Valenta.
Available soon on Bandcamp and Spotify!
Horse Girl
By Jenny
Description of Art Piece:
It represents love and equine olympics.
Inspiration Behind the Art Piece:
Love of horses. When it rains, it reminds me of washing a horse. Horses help me stay calm
What I Hope Viewers Take Away:
Equine Assisted therapy has helped me a lot.
Why I Wanted to Be Part of This:
Because I love art. I also wanted to shaw my appreciation for Equine Assisted therapy.
Artist Interests/Hobbies:
Horseback riding + crafts
Artist Favorite Medium:
Paint and stencils
The Dragon Gate
By Cynder Harkey
Description of Art Piece:
A cotton-candy bat, a wolf, and a kobold explore a gateway guarded by three dragon statues.
Inspiration Behind the Art Piece:
I really like dragons and those funny animal people, so I just made that.
What I Hope Viewers Take Away:
That these little guys are having fun exploring the dragon gateway.
Why I Wanted to Be Part of This:
I wanted to make art.
Artist Interests/Hobbies:
Transformers, dragons, funny animal people
Artist Favorite Medium:
Sketchbooks
Bookworm
By Amanda
Description of Art Piece:
This piece represents my love for books and reading.
Inspiration Behind the Art Piece:
My love for books and reading.
What I Hope Viewers Take Away:
My love for books and reading.
Why I Wanted to Be Part of This:
It sounded liKe it would be fun to do and l enjoy creating artwork..
Artist Interests/Hobbies:
Anime / Manga, Reading, Dogs.
Artist Favorite Medium:
Soft Pastels, Paint Splatter, Sculpture
Love Your Family
By Jamazia
Description of Art Piece:
Truthfulness. Loving. It’s meaningful.
Inspiration Behind the Art Piece:
I love my family and everyone should love theirs. Everyone should love their life and their family.
What I Hope Viewers Take Away:
Love your family
Why I Wanted to Be Part of This:
It was tun. and I wanked something to do.
Artist Interests/Hobbies:
Friends, family, playing on my phone, music
Artist Favorite Medium:
Paint
Lost & Found Meditation
By Martha Valenta
Description of Art Piece:
A 24-foot x 30-foot painted canvas floorcloth. It is a walking meditation labyrinth that morphs into a maze. The labyrinth area is drenched in cool colors while the maze is ablaze in hot colors.
Inspiration Behind the Art Piece:
ADHD folks have trouble meditating. And, once we go off course, we often find ourselves stuck in a hyper-focus (symbolized by the dead end areas of the maze).
What I Hope Viewers Take Away:
I hope folks who have ADHD can find self-acceptance. This is simply how we are wired. We aren’t wrong, we’re just different. And, I hope neurotypical folks understand this a bit more after this experience. I hope they choose to lead with curiosity and kindness instead of with shame when we go astray.
Why I Wanted to Be Part of This:
It was my idea.
Artist Interests/Hobbies:
Art, travel, experiences, innovation.
Artist Favorite Medium:
Anything and everything.
Untitled
By Michael Mullen
Description of Art Piece:
The two giant church bells are made to reenact their ringing noise, as if to say, “A marriage is happening. Let us Rejoice!” The paint splatters represent the male and female, in their respected color representations and the ribbon with a art can be interpreted as tying the knot.
Inspiration Behind the Art Piece:
A proposal leads to a wedding. Weddings tend to take place inside a Church. Churches have bells.
What I Hope Viewers Take Away:
Hopefully this artwork + the story behind it helps gives out a satisfaction | feel in sharing the story and the meaningfulness that is affiliated with me in it.
Why I Wanted to Be Part of This:
My father proposed at the Art Museum. Being a fan of the art museum. I take pride in that. Participating in this would allow me to pay homage to that and create a full circle moment.
Artist Interests/Hobbies:
YouTube video making, dancing, games that make you think.
Artist Favorite Medium:
Acrylic
Untitled
By Zee / Misha/ Seraph
Description of Art Piece:
Me, doing what I love (drawing on my iPad).
Inspiration Behind the Art Piece:
I love to draw and listen to music and ignore everything and all of my problems.
What I Hope Viewers Take Away:
Do what you enjoy while being authenic!
Why I Wanted to Be Part of This:
I have ADHD / Autism and drawing is one of my passions!
Artist Interests/Hobbies:
Art, rhythm, games
Artist Favorite Medium:
Paint and stencils
Aloha
By Cindy Werner
Description of Art Piece:
My favorite things from Hawaii.
Inspiration Behind the Art Piece:
Traveling to Hawaii.
What I Hope Viewers Take Away:
That they have a warm, tropical feeling.
Why I Wanted to Be Part of This:
Creating my own art.
Artist Interests/Hobbies:
Walking, puzzles, going to the gym
Artist Favorite Medium:
Paints
“Thank you for asking people to be curious and kind to us.”
“I feel like someone understands me.”
“I’m crying, but I’m happy.”
