Thursday, October 1, 2026
For Merrick native Mia Barkan, art has never been just about aesthetics — it’s about survival, healing and connection.
That philosophy is at the heart of “VIBES,” her solo exhibition on display at the North Merrick Public Library through May 16.
Library officials said the exhibit has become a visible and welcome addition to the space.
“We’re so excited to have her art in our library, and we’re really lucky because it’s in the middle of our reference room, so everyone from the community who comes in is able to see that art,” Jackie Perez, North Merrick Public Library director said. “We benefit from it, because it certainly brightens up our space.”
Barkan, who has lived everywhere from Italy and Israel to California, said returning home to raise her family felt like a “full circle” moment. Now, she’s sharing a deeply personal body of work with the same community in which she grew up.
“I’ve been painting my whole life,” she said. “Art rescues me every single day.”
Since earning her degree from Hofstra University, Barkan, a creative arts therapist in private practice, has spent more than two decades working with adults with psychiatric disorders. Her dual identity as both artist and therapist shapes not only her career, but also the intent behind her work.
The “VIBES” series — a collection of large, abstract expressionist paintings — draws inspiration from nature, emotion and fleeting moments. Through layered color and texture, Barkan aims to capture what she describes as a “vibration” or emotional impression rather than a literal image.
“When you think of the word ‘vibes,’ it’s a feeling, an expression,” she said. “The goal is to help soothe the viewer.”
Works in the exhibit include pieces inspired by cherry blossoms and water, though viewers won’t find clearly defined forms. Instead, Barkan leans into abstraction, inviting people to experience the paintings on an emotional level.
“You really can’t recognize anything right off the bat,” she explained. “But you get the feeling — the vibration — of what it is.”
That emotional response is no accident, even if it isn’t consciously planned. Barkan said her creative process is deeply personal, often rooted in her own need to process and externalize feelings.
“I don’t think about anybody else when I’m painting,” she said. “It’s something I have to get out. It’s really for me.”
Still, she has found that viewers consistently connect with the work in a similar way — often describing a sense of calm or peace.
“I think because I’m trying to soothe myself while painting, it comes through,” she said.
That connection between art and healing traces back to Barkan’s childhood. After undergoing multiple surgeries as a young girl, she found comfort in making art during hospital stays — an experience that ultimately led her to pursue art therapy as a career.
“It helped me get through a very difficult time,” she said. “It made me feel empowered.”
Today, she applies that same philosophy in both her clinical practice and her personal work, emphasizing authenticity and self-expression. She regularly creates art as a form of self-care, a practice she encourages in her patients as well.
“If I’m asking my clients to do it, I should be doing it too,” she said.
Hosting the exhibit at the library holds special meaning for Barkan, who said the space’s calm, welcoming atmosphere aligns naturally with the tone of the “VIBES” series. She intentionally chose to display work that would complement the environment, offering visitors a quiet moment of escape.
“I wanted people to be able to look up from their studies and just have a moment,” she said.
With the exhibit running through mid-May, Barkan hopes local residents take more than just a visual experience away from the show.
“Life is very stressful right now,” she said. “If people can come in and get even a brief emotional break — a little sense of peace — that’s what I’m hoping to give.”
