Art for Cancer Wellness: Art Journaling Workshop for Patients, Fall 2024

Workshop Title: Insights & Imagination: Art Journaling for Patients
Facilitator: 
Em Jones, MA, LGPAT, ATR-P, BFA
Schedule: Thursdays, 7 PM to 8:30 PM ET

  • September 12
  • September 26
  • October 10
  • October 24
  • November 7
  • November 21

    Workshop Description: In this autumn workshop series of six bi-weekly sessions facilitated by art therapist Em Jones, participants will be guided to creatively explore their thoughts, feelings, and current experiences through creative themes and reflective writing using a variety of art materials and processes. This arts-based therapy group aims to facilitate self-expression and increase self-understanding, foster hope and strength, offer relaxation and mindfulness, and encourage connection and support in a creative and healing virtual group atmosphere.

    No prior art experience is required for this group—participants are encouraged to work within their own comfort and skill level. Please be mindful that this is an art therapy group, not an art class, and is designed as a supportive group with creative therapeutic processing.

    Workshop Materials: Participants will be provided with a variety of basic art-making materials including a sketchbook, watercolor paints, colored pencils, tempera paint sticks, markers, some collage materials, and a small notebook for writing.

    Week-by-Week Overview: Each workshop will be structured as follows: check-in, introduction to theme, art-making, reflective writing, discussion, grounding exercise and closing affirmation.

        Week 1 — September 12: Mood Portrait
        Participants will be introduced to the workshop series and oriented to materials.
        The group will then be invited to select an inspiration image (using soul card
        gallery) that resonates with them. Time will be made for reflective writing that
        may support self-exploration and the formation of insights about one’s art and
        experience.

        Week 2 — September 26: Two Present Emotions
        The focus this week will be nonverbal exploration of one’s current feelings. After
        a brief writing exercise to support imagination and introspection, group members
        will be supported to create artwork that visualizes their emotions in the present
        moment. Time will be made for reflective writing that may support self-exploration
        and the formation of insights about one’s art and experience.

        Week 3 — October 10: To Walk in My Shoes
        The focus this week will be artistic exploration and expression of one’s unique
        experience of being in the world. After a brief writing exercise to support
        imagination and introspection, group members will be supported to create
        artwork that visualizes what it's like to walk in their shoes. Time will be made for
        reflective writing that may support self-exploration and the formation of insights
        about one’s art and experience.

        Week 4 — October 24: Mind Map
        The focus this week is to visualize and externalize our internal experience and
        provide some reflective distance that may help group members validate their
        feelings, increase self-understanding and self-compassion, and shift their
        perspective, and release stress/tension. Time will be made for reflective writing
        that may support self-exploration and the formation of insights about one’s art
        and experience.

        Week 5 — November 7: Bridge
        Participants will be guided to use metaphor to create artwork that explores
        thoughts and feelings related to change and transitions. Time will be made for
        reflective writing after artmaking that may support one’s self-exploration and
        self-understanding, helping to decrease stress and validate current feelings.

        Week 6 — November 21: Holding On / Letting Go
        The session will focus on exploring elements in one’s life that are important and
        meaningful as well as aspects that one would like to release and let go of.
        Participants will be guided to create artwork exploring their thoughts and feelings
        related to this theme that may provide some reflective distance to help increase
        self-understanding and self-compassion as well as release stress/tension. Time
        will be made for reflective writing that may support self-exploration and the
        formation of insights about one’s art and experience. This session will close with
        discussion and review of our workshop series.

        If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to art@kitstoheart.org.

        ***

        👉 Register today!