Art Talk: What Is It—and How Did I Get Here?
My life has always been intertwined with art.
By Angela Gallo
My life has always been intertwined with art.
From being in every art club from elementary school through college, to choosing a major that blended psychology and art, to now—where my private practice doubles as both a mental health agency and an art gallery—it’s always been there.
So… how did I get here?
I get asked this question a lot: When did you know this is what you wanted to do?
And every time, the same memory from high school pops into my head.
I relied heavily on art back then. It was my escape. It was honestly the only place I felt I could fully be myself, and not the hot-shot athlete with the tough-girl exterior that everyone seemed to either adore me for or hate me for.
Art was where I could connect to the real me.
But the moment that really stands out happened in my first psychology class.
The teacher was… let’s just say, not great. I can’t even remember her name—it was my first and last class with her. She seemed more interested in herself than in her students and, strangely, got amusement out of making herself feel smarter than her students. Odd, I know, but nevertheless, despite that experience, learning about psychology was invigorating. It was the only reason I stayed in the class.
And I always come back to that classroom.
Sitting in that desk. Learning about psychology for the first time. Thinking:
This is it. This is how I want to help people.
Before then, I knew art helped me. I knew I wanted to use art to help others. But in that moment—years ago, in that desk—I knew I was going to combine art and therapy and build something meaningful from it.
And now, after years of dedication, trial and error, and choosing myself when it mattered, here I am.
Founder and owner of Art Talk.
In a small seaport town in Rhode Island.
(Tell that to the Jersey girl who never thought she’d leave. 💛)
Why I’m Here on Substack
Through this space, I’ll be sharing a wide range of things—from maybe-too-honest reflections about life and therapy, to what’s happening at Art Talk.
If this isn’t for you, you’re always welcome to unsubscribe.
But if you want to stick around and hear what I have to say…
Thank you.
And welcome. 🤍
Therapy Practice Updates:
Now accepting clients for Therapeutic Experiences
Gallery Updates:
The first open call of the year is here!
Art Talk’s Spring Exhibition:
“What’s Going On?”
Awareness • Escape • Integration
In 2026, Art Talk presents a three-part exhibition series exploring how we emotionally navigate life in today’s world—from awareness, to escape, to integration.
Rooted in the intersection of mental health and creative expression, this series invites artists and viewers to reflect on what it means to live fully and honestly in complex times.
Each show centers emotional experience over opinion, offering space for curiosity, vulnerability, and connection.
Together, the series follows a natural human arc:
Spring: How are we processing the world around us?
Summer: How do we cope and momentarily step away?
Fall: How do we return inward—grounding, integrating, and coming home to ourselves?
for reading, reflecting, and creating space for yourself alongside me.Until next time,
Angela
