Amplifying Perspectives: The Experience of Adolescent Males of Color Engaged in School-Based Art Therapy

•Qualitative analysis was conducted of the lived experience of adolescent students of color in school-based art therapy intervention.•Students explored potentially toxic emotions, perspectives, and assumptions.•Art therapy may foster insight regarding intra- and interpersonal relationships.•Creating artwork may expand the range of social emotional expression.•Art therapy targets a range of needs for high school students at varying levels of academic success.