Art classes bring healing and renewed focus
“Mental health affects us all, and art can help with that,” said Darren Lapsley, a 45-year-old returning college student and U.S. Marine Corps veteran who found both healing and a new calling through art.
Lapsley served more than 20 years in the United States military, including 15 years in active duty, including multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. His experience ranged from multinational forces to helicopter maintenance and managing squadron readiness. He has also been a martial arts instructor.
After leaving the military, Lapsley spent a decade in sales and planned to get a business degree—until a new path was drawn. He began exploring art therapy, then creating his own work, and eventually enrolled in art classes at Oakland Community College’s Royal Oak campus.
OCC inspires a new direction
“I had an overall change in career plans in OCC’s art department,” said Lapsley. “It has been so welcoming, with such a strong sense of community, and experienced professors. OCC has given me incredible confidence!”
With this encouragement, he felt his dreams could be realized and his instructors have been impressed with his talents.
"Darren is quick to pick up any new art medium and solves problems effectively," said Lindsey Dezman, Lapsley's Ceramics instructor. "He is extremely focused and dedicated in his work. I see him going far as an artist, if he keeps nurturing his talent."
“He is already exhibiting his pieces in juried shows—the fire is lit!,” she added.
Art as therapy and expression
Laspley’s works are attracting both local and national attention. His mixed-media piece, Invisible Wounds, was recently featured in The Military Review, with two additional pieces scheduled for upcoming issues. The self-portrait depicts him in camouflage and patriotic buttons, including a small Wounded Warrior pin on the collar, against a background of military ribbons.
Creating it was emotionally difficult as Lapsley cut his own uniform fabric to make the artwork.
“I created this when I was dealing with something I couldn’t handle,” he said. “I was struggling with combat-related PTSD, depression and anxiety.”
He explained that the missing hand in the right sleeve represents the absence of a salute from a wounded warrior, while the empty hood on the left represents removing the military uniform and the complex transition from “war hero to a black man in America, seen differently in his home country.”
"I've never experienced a piece of art that tells a story with such depth, like Darren has captured through his art," said Ed Stotts, Lapsley's OCC Counselor. “Art has become Darren’s therapy. It’s fueled his healing and post-traumatic growth. He's a commanding presence who creates community among students from all walks of life.”
A future built on creativity
Lapsley grew up in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, the third of four sons, in a family who served the community. His father was a police officer, and his mother, a pharmacist. Lapsley always enjoyed creating art, winning local competitions in high school.
Today, he's building his portfolio, doing healing art workshops, and recently received his certification as an art life coach. He’s also writing a book on art therapy and his journey of recovery through creativity.
Lapsley encourages others to unleash their creative potential.
His advice: “Start making art. Doodle, paint—just start something.”
About OCC
Celebrating 60 years, Oakland Community College (OCC) has educated over one million students since 1965. OCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is committed to student success with affordable tuition, support services, flexible class options and top transfer opportunities. The College serves more than 20,000 students annually while advancing our community through education, training and career support. OCC is nationally recognized as Michigan’s top online college, and seventh in the U.S., by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
###
Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu