Monmouth Arts was proud to welcome our community to the 2026 Annual Meeting, Reset, Restore, Create, an evening dedicated to reflection, connection, and the transformative role of the arts in wellness and creativity.
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The program opened with a grounding sound bowl healing session led by musician Jamie Coppa, setting an intentional and restorative tone for the evening. Guests then heard from Dr. Micah Hillis, DSW, LCSW, Director of the Brandt Behavioral Health Treatment Center and Retreat at Rutgers University Behavioral HealthCare, who shared insights on emerging initiatives at the intersection of arts and wellness. Drawing inspiration from a quote often attributed to Hans Christian Andersen — “When words fail, music speaks” — Dr. Hillis offered his own powerful reflection: “When words fail, the arts speak,” underscoring the vital role creative expression plays in healing, communication, and balance.
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Throughout the evening, attendees reflected on Monmouth Arts’ accomplishments from 2025 while enjoying nourishing light refreshments provided by Kitchenwitch, and engaged in meaningful conversation with fellow artists, supporters, and community leaders. The Annual Meeting also included the election of new Board members and the welcoming of returning members, whose leadership and dedication continue to guide the organization forward.
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We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and contributed to a memorable and inspiring evening. Together, we look ahead with renewed energy as we continue to champion the arts as a vital force for wellness, creativity, and community.
2025 Monmouth Arts Recap
Featured Guest Speaker
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Dr. Micah Hillis, DSW, LCSW is the Director of the Brandt Behavioral Health Treatment Center and Retreat at Rutgers University Behavioral HealthCare. He has extensive experience providing treatment and managing programs that focus on mental health and substance use in various treatment settings including, inpatient, outpatient, community outreach, peer support, and case management services in the community as well as in incarcerated settings. The focus of these programs has been to provide services to at-risk populations including adults, adolescents, children, incarcerated persons, the chronically homeless, veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and substance use. Currently, Dr. Hillis is overseeing the program development and daily operations at the Brandt Center which provides a retreat setting for out of home treatment, as well as outpatient and intensive outpatient levels of care. Previously, he was focused on services addressing the ongoing opioid/fentanyl epidemic in New Jersey through multiple partnered programs with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Department of Corrections (NJDOC), and Parole Board (NJSPB). Additionally, Dr. Hillis is a part-time lecturer for the Rutgers University School of Social Work and part-time faculty member at Boston University’s School of Social Work.
Featured Performer
Jamie Coppa is a singer/songwriter and musician residing at the Jersey Shore. Her music is a reflection of her life experience and soulful outlook and perspective with influences in pop, r&b, meditation and chant, and spiritual hymns. In addition to performing, Jamie offers holographic sound baths in the greater NYC area and owns and operates The Well community center in Belmar, NJ. She shares her passion and love for humanity through various projects and small business ventures that aim to positively impact the lives of others.