The M.A.R.S. Project: A Therapeutic Safe Haven for Artists

A man performs on a microphone at a Mental Health Artist Retreat Society open mic event.

Whether you find it lingering behind the blank stare of a Van Gogh portrait or captioned on Twitter beneath a Kanye West meme, the “suffering artist” persona has undoubtedly become one of the most recognizable figures of modern-day pop culture. 

According to popular belief, the most enchanting artwork can only come from society’s most damaged and ostracized people—people who have spent their whole lives squashed beneath the overbearing thumb of the status quo. For many creatives, fame and fortune are seen as the only ways to escape this subjugation and earn themselves a seat at the table as valued members of society. Although such an underdog story can be enjoyable for fans, it often leaves the artist mentally and emotionally taxed. If anybody in this world needs therapy, it would be artists—and that’s exactly what the DC-based M.A.R.S. Project looks to provide.

M.A.R.S. founder Baba Harshaw.

Founded in 2021, the Mental Health Artist Retreat Society (M.A.R.S.) is a health and wellness collective for artists, by artists. DC native and spoken word poet Baba Harshaw, the founder of this LLC-backed collective, prides himself on the project’s holistic approach to serving its clients. To him, healing others is itself an art form. He believes firmly in an artist’s potential to tap into an audience member’s psyche and provide a sense of connectedness through the creation being presented. In founding this collective, Mr. Harshaw has created a safe environment where the terms artist and therapist are commonly used interchangeably. 

The M.A.R.S. Project is a model of versatility, providing spiritual therapy, occupational therapy, art therapy, nutrition therapy, and expression therapy services to its clients. When subscribing to the full membership benefit package, clients can expect access to perks including (but not limited to) music studio sessions, artist interviews, managerial consulting, and on-site networking. On a weekly basis, the collective makes an active effort to build community amongst DMV natives and visitors who identify as artists by hosting a recurring open mic event.

The M.A.R.S. Project’s Fire Pit Open Mic is the undisputed headliner of the collective’s expression therapy services. To set itself apart from all the other open mics in DC, Mr. Harshaw’s show takes place live in front of his very own fire pit. Every Tuesday and Thursday, creatives from all walks of life gather around his back porch and present their artwork amidst the aesthetic flicker of the vibe-inducing flames. But to Mr. Harshaw, the fire pit is more than just for looks.

In explaining the source of his inspiration, he referenced how fire is often symbolized as the element of expression in certain spiritual traditions native to Africa. He cites fire as a common medium used in African spirituality to communicate to one’s ancestors. When an artist performs at his open mic, they are essentially paying homage to this spiritual transaction. 

Engaging with the youth is also a core tenet of the M.A.R.S. Project. As the Fire Pit Open Mic takes place right down the street from Howard University, the collective promotes itself as a platform for young artists to network and perfect their craft in front of a live, open-minded audience. As further incentive, Howard students are offered access with discounted prices on food at the open mics as well.  

Harshaw, a Howard graduate himself, has even recruited some of these college-age creatives as staff members of the M.A.R.S. Project. As an OG of the local art scene in a sense, he openly recognizes the artistic potential of the next generation and takes it upon himself to accept his role in nurturing that potential. In conversation, he was quick to mention how the students he has come across “keep him young” as they are an ongoing source of inspiration for him and his own creative drive. As the popularity surrounding the M.A.R.S. Project and its weekly open mics continues to accumulate, its next step is to invest in building a community that will be able to grow up with the collective. Mr. Harshaw believes the future is bright with these young creatives, and that the proof is in the artwork they bring to his open mics.  

Membership within the M.A.R.S. Project is alive and growing, as the collective has already generated some buzz both within and outside the DMV. As for the future of the Fire Pit Open Mic, Mr. Harshaw plans to incorporate a slam style contest called The Golden Mic Series in which contestants compete in multiple rounds for a full membership to the M.A.R.S Project as well as access to its range of services. Footage of this contest will be collected and submitted for a chance to be featured as a Netflix show. Effective during the month of March, the weekly open mics will have a new home as Mr. Harshaw will be partnering with The Pyramid Smoke Lounge located on DC’s Connecticut Avenue.

Outside of those ambitions, the M.A.R.S. Project will continue its work as an action-oriented advocate for the therapeutic benefits of creative expression. Supporters of the collective are currently able to engage with its content on Instagram and YouTube.