Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts

Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit health, education and creative arts organization that serves individuals, families and communities affected by cancer and other serious illness. Since our founding in 1996, Smith Farm Center programs have positively transformed the experience of living with cancer and other serious illness — for adults, their caregivers and the healthcare professionals who support them. Smith Farm Center retreats and programs foster internal healing, stimulate creative and spiritual resources, enhance living and complement mainstream medical care.

We work with people who wish to engage and nurture the healing process. Each year Smith Farm Center retreats, workshops, gallery events and artist-in-residence programs provide hundreds of opportunities to explore and integrate medical, creative and spiritual resources for coping and healing. Our programs are led by a committed community of psychotherapists, artists, writers, physicians, educators, yoga and massage instructors, nutritionists, chefs and other professionals.

Our Programs

Cancer Help Program Residential Retreats are one of the foundations of our work. Nestled in a lodge setting amidst the rolling hills just beyond Washington DC, participants and caregivers explore, educate, nourish, renew and reclaim their inner resources for healing. These weeklong residential retreats—designed in partnership with the internationally recognized Commonweal Cancer Help program developed by Dr. Michael Lerner and Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen — offer a spectacular year-round environment for integration, reflection and healing transformation.

We also offer range of day retreats, programs and workshops at our City Center in Washington, DC. These ongoing programs — easily accessible to residents of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia — offer therapeutic yoga and meditation, cooking classes, support groups, book clubs, healing arts gallery events, workshops for healthcare professionals along with health, creativity, and nutrition programs. Our city location allows you to easily integrate the programs into your weekly schedule.

Our artist-in-residence programs in major medical centers foster healing in clinical settings for thousands of adults and their caregivers. Through music, movement, poetry, storytelling and writing artists work alongside individuals and families in infusion centers, waiting areas and hospital rooms to foster hope, encouragement, laughter, deep healing and renewal.

Beginning the Journey

We recognize the overwhelming array of decisions facing anyone dealing with critical illness. We also recognize the importance of human connection and support. Call us at 202-483-8600 or email us at Heal@SmithFarm.com to speak with a staff member. We encourage you to visit this website frequently to gather support resources, ask questions, print a program calendar, explore workshops, make a donation or seek out important healing connections.

Wherever you are along your journey, we invite you to join us.

Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts--
            Enriching life while transforming the experience of illness.

For adults living with cancer, their caregivers & the medical professionals who support them.