Healing through art and Write to Heal
Years ago I joined and later became the facilitator of a Healing Through Art group at the Cambridge Women’s Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. So when I began offering workshops on creative expression for healing, it seemed natural to chose visual art as the focus. Healing Through Art was a Tucson Weekly Pick of the Week on Oct. 12, 2006.
But my own strength is as a writer. I saw that even when I applied for the expansion grant for the Fountain of Peace as a visual artist, the primary focus was getting people writing.
In thinking back on Healing Through Art, when the Tucson Weekly chose it as a Pick of the Week, it was when the topic was for “Increasing Resiliency in Our Bodies and Our Lives.” That topic was fitting for these challenging economic times, so I offered a workshop series in the winter where we started by writing about a time when we came back up after a setback, and then did a writing exercise to help reframe a current situation.
Some of you know my own story is one of bouncing back after having been homebound for years with severe chronic fatigue and chemical sensitivities. Writing continues to be key in my own healing. I think of healing in the deepest sense, in making peace between the disparate aspects of ourselves and creating healing interactions with others, so that our own healing ripples out. I see writing as an invaluable tool for releasing feelings and reframing situations so that I can write a plot of my life as a healing adventure.
Feel free to start writing with the exercises posted on the Write to Heal blogsite. And if you'd like to have a Write to Heal workshop for your group or organization, please contact me. Write to Heal workshops can be conducted by affordable teleconferencing as well as in person.
Blessings,
Deborah
Why art?
Whether it’s making images of what we’d like to create in our bodies, or expressing emotions that need to be released, art can help us heal. Yet we don’t always make the time to do art. So I’ve organized a group where each person will work on their art project. The focus is on doing art for self-expression and healing. This not about performance or what the art looks like. This is a safe place to explore making art, without judging yourself or others.
When I lived in Massachusetts, I facilitated a Healing Through Art group at the Cambridge Women’s Center. Over the years, I’ve organized and facilitated a variety of groups and workshops. I earned a master’s degree in educational psychology and love to create spaces where people can learn and grow. I also work as a professional artist and regularly exhibit and sell art, and was awarded a grant from the Tucson Pima Arts Council for my Fountain of Peace.
My visual art, photography, and writing have appeared in a wide variety of print publications.
Format:
We start by checking in and sharing art we’ve done since the last meeting. Then I present a project idea. People can do that project, or may instead choose to work on something they brought, or something else they are inspired to do. We take time at the end to discuss what we’ve done, and to give feedback. I also make announcements about local art shows and activities of interest, and invite others to share related announcements.
I provide a variety of art materials. You are also welcome to bring some of your own. We’re focusing on using environmentally healthier materials. So please do not bring paints or markers that release VOCs or chalks/pastels that will be dusty.
The group is limited to six people at a session. Registration is recommended, but not required. Please see the events page or subscribe to my email list to learn about upcoming session dates and topics.
The fee for the group is $20 per session, which includes materials costs. There are also some options for paying by partial trade (if your skills meet current needs in my business). You may attend your first session on a donation basis.
Accessibility
In order to increase access for people with allergies and chemical sensitivities, please do not wear fragrances to this group.
There is an 3.5” rise at my front door. The rest of the house is level, with doorways that are minimum of 30” wide. The bathroom is not wheelchair accessible.
After trying out telephone access for the first meeting, the telephone attendee expressed an interest for a virtual group that met by email instead. While I’ve found telephone access can be very workable for groups focused on speaking, writing, and/or singing, the lack of visual exchange was problematic for this art group. Webcam could provide visual access to the group, but would not give distant participants the same feeling of belonging. So if you’re interested in a virtual group, please let me know.
My home is readily accessible by public transportation. The number 1 route runs down Glenn. The nearest stop is at Edith, half a block from my house. The number 17 route runs down Country Club. The nearest stop is at Country Club and Glenn, which is 2.5 blocks from my house.
In healing,
Deborah