The Art of Emotion: Local artist’s representations of everyday feelings on display at SAMA
- Heidi Manfred works on an untitled piece in her Hollidaysburg basement studio. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
- “Curious” from Heidi Manfred’s Confident collection Courtesy photo
- “Worried” from Heidi Manfred’s Sad collection Courtesy photo
- Artist and behaviorist Heidi Manfred, pictured in her Hollidaysburg basement studio, is also the author of “Virtual Therapy for Kids: 60 Activities for Therapists Providing Remote Interventions,” which she developed during the pandemic. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
- “Hopeful” from Heidi Manfred’s Happy collection Courtesy photo
- “Loved” from Hiedi Manfred’s Happy collection Courtesy photo
- “Calm” from Hiedi Manfred’s Happy collection Courtesy photo
- Heidi Manfred works on an untitled piece in her basement studio in Hollidaysburg. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Heidi Manfred works on an untitled piece in her Hollidaysburg basement studio. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Many people don’t examine their feelings, but artist and behaviorist Heidi Manfred of Hollidaysburg has created abstract visualizations of 52 emotions with personal explanations in an intimate and thought-provoking exhibit on display at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona through Jan. 19.
The 15-piece exhibit titled “Emotions in Art” is shown with the artist’s written thoughts on each piece. These are accompanied by the works of area high school students in the Penn State Readiness Institute Summer Discovery Program who participated in a related workshop Manfred conducted in July.
The 15-foot long collection of emotional totems were painted by the students and emotionally represent their past, present and future selves. The workshop demonstrated Manfred’s mission to articulate the myriad feelings experienced in life, increase and explore emotional awareness and show how creative outlets can help in developing a healthy lifestyle.
Manfred is the author of “Virtual Therapy for Kids: 60 Activities for Therapists Providing Remote Interventions,” which she developed during the pandemic.
In this post-pandemic world, she said, many have experienced mental health challenges.

“Curious” from Heidi Manfred’s Confident collection Courtesy photo
“Post-COVID, everybody is more open and more likely to admit that life is uncertain. We have depression, we have anxiety — we all struggle in different ways,” she said. Creative expression is as much a part of a healthy lifestyle as is proper nutrition and sleep.
“Something that is gaining more traction and research is using art as medicine and using it preventively. Research is showing that even looking at art can benefit your physical health and your mental health.”
Manfred conceptualized the “Emotions in Art” series in 2022 and worked on one emotion painting each week during 2023. She started with 5×5-inch water colors and developed them into 52 oil paintings on canvas that range from 3×3 feet up to 6×6 feet in size.
“Emotions in Art” is composed of four parts: Confident, Happy, Sad and Angry.
Within each part, Manfred examines the differences between emotions.

“Worried” from Heidi Manfred’s Sad collection Courtesy photo
Emotions in the Happy collection include: accepted, calm, cheerful, connected, excited, forgiving, grateful, hopeful, joyful, loved, thankful, valued and vibrant.
The Sad collection examines these feelings: anxious, defeated, depressed, disappointed, discouraged, embarrassed, exhausted, inferior, hurt, lonely, mournful, offended and worried.
The Confident collection delves into: balanced, brave, capable, creative, curious, determined, inspired, motivated, respected, secure, strong, successful and trusting.
The Angry collection reflects on: critical, discontented, frustrated, hateful, impatient, irritated, mad, overwhelmed, provoked, reluctant, resentful, threatened and uncomfortable.
Manfred’s work dovetails well with SAMA’s outreach mission and its long-standing Health Care Partnership Programs and a growing national trend of mental health related exhibits, said Ann Benzel, vice-president of the SAMA board of directors. She’s seen firsthand “the powerful effect art has in helping people get in touch with or open up about their feelings. SAMA is an advocate for education and tying emotional awareness into the mix through Heidi’s artwork … her willingness to work with us in creating a conversation about mental health was a natural fit.”

Artist and behaviorist Heidi Manfred, pictured in her Hollidaysburg basement studio, is also the author of “Virtual Therapy for Kids: 60 Activities for Therapists Providing Remote Interventions,” which she developed during the pandemic. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Benzel said she recently shared the work Curious from the Confident collection with her granddaughter, who is “a young woman making her way in a federal office.” When Benzel heard of the untimely death of a young friend, she revisited the Resentful painting in the Angry collection.
“The exhibit truly represents life’s highs and lows,” Benzel said.
For SAMA Education Coordinator Kristin Miller, Manfred’s artwork series and her workshops help people connect with their feelings and express them in a positive way.
“We don’t tend to think about our feelings. We go and go and go. So this (exhibit) helps you to stop and take the time to think about feelings and express them creatively,” Miller said.
Manfred’s workshops about emotional awareness and how creative expression helps with overall wellbeing are appropriate for all ages and settings, whether it is for students in an after-school program or seniors at a nursing home or volunteers with civic/philanthropic nonprofits. Manfred is also available to speak and foster creative expression as a SAMA Artist In Residence.

“Hopeful” from Heidi Manfred’s Happy collection Courtesy photo
Manfred hopes to exhibit “Emotions in Art” through a collaboration with the National Museum of Mental Health Project (NMMH) later this year. The NMMH is a virtual museum that strengthens mental health literacy through the arts.
An assistant teaching professor of human development and family studies at Penn State Altoona, Manfred teaches future clinicians. It’s a career she turned to during her college days after initially pursuing an art major. She switched majors, she said, because she lacked confidence in her artistic abilities and didn’t have a mentor to help her overcome her self-doubts.
She then became a certified art therapy practitioner and a state licensed behavior specialist who has worked with children and adults. In her clinical work, she uses art as a tool and intervention.
“To be able to have a creative way to express yourself through mental health and health challenges is very beneficial,” Manfred said. Her belief that “every individual should be given the opportunity to creatively express themselves” prompted her to give visitors to her exhibit opening a gift of watercolors and paper.
Making art isn’t the only form of creative expression that leads to better health. Baking a cake, tending a garden, writing in a journal and even arranging pillows on a couch are forms of creative expression.

“Loved” from Hiedi Manfred’s Happy collection Courtesy photo
“I would argue that we’re an artist in our own right,” Manfred said.
To see all 52 pieces in “Emotions in Art,” visit www.heiditheresaart.com. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of art and related merchandise go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 814-949-7030.
If you go
What: “Emotions in Art” exhibit
Where: Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona, 1210 11th Ave.
When: Now through Jan. 19
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m.; Closed Monday and Tuesdays
Cost: Admission is free; however, a $5 donation helps support free and low cost educational services, programs and exhibitions.
More information: The entire series of “Emotion in Art” can be viewed at www.heiditheresaart.com and part of the proceeds from the sale of art and related merchandise go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

“Calm” from Hiedi Manfred’s Happy collection Courtesy photo

Heidi Manfred works on an untitled piece in her basement studio in Hollidaysburg. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski