An exhibition showcasing adolescents' self-reflection and emotional recovery through art experience activities was held at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU). The exhibition, jointly organized by the JBNU College of Arts, the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office, and the Jeonju Regional Council of the Ministry of Justice Youth Crime Prevention Committee, shared the results of the 6th JBNU Youth Art Therapy J.A.T (JBNU Art Therapy) program from the past year. It was held at 5:00 p.m. on the 7th at the JBNU International Convention Center.

The program was conducted for youths who received conditional suspension of prosecution with guidance, and was designed as a tailored art therapy program focused on recovery and growth rather than punishment. It operated with the aim of helping participating youths process emotions, supporting self-reflection, and restoring social skills.

The 6th Youth Art Therapy J.A.T program, under the theme "Filling the Gaps of Facing Hearts: Mending Through Art," ran for three months. It consisted of step-by-step art therapy activities, including ice-breaking exercises that began with breaking a mirror and creating mirror masks, sculptural activities that materialized inner emotions, and a "mirror interview" in which participants questioned and answered themselves. These processes were designed to allow participating youths to safely reveal their emotions and calmly examine their inner selves.

In particular, hands-on sculptural activities involving touching, cutting, pasting, and stacking served as effective media for emotional expression for youths who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally. As emotions and experiences that were difficult to describe in words emerged through artworks, participants were able to observe themselves objectively and organize their feelings.

The program functioned as a turning point beyond simple art creation, enabling participants to re-recognize themselves and reorganize their attitudes toward life through art. Furthermore, by providing a public presentation in the form of a results exhibition and encouraging participating youths to share what they had created with society, it helped them recover self-efficacy and a sense of accomplishment.

Professor Eom Hyuk-yong (Department of Fine Arts), who oversaw the program, said, "The JBNU Youth Art Therapy J.A.T program is meaningful in that it presents the possibility of healing and growth through art, moving away from punishment-centered approaches to youth guidance. I hope this will serve as a stepping stone for participating youths to perceive themselves positively and to become healthy members of society."