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:
- Mixed media sketchbook
- Magazines and collage materials (e.g., tissue paper)
- Assorted art materials:
- Oil pastels
- Colored pencils
- Watercolor paint set and brushes (1 pack per participant)
- Tempera paint sticks
- Paint pens
- Glue stick (1 per participant)
- Pencil (1 per participant)
- Lined journal 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.