Art for Cancer Wellness: Caregivers Group, Spring 2023
Workshop Title: Self-Expressive Mapping
Facilitator: Connie Zabokrtsky, MA, ATR-P
Schedule: Thursdays, 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM ET
- February 2, 2023
- February 16, 2023
- March 2, 2023
- March 16, 2023
- March 30, 2023
- April 13, 2023
Workshop Overview: Every other Thursday throughout the spring, caregivers will meet virtually in a supportive space to develop their own expressive self-care practices through creative process and use of art materials. This is a conversational and experiential setting where caregivers are gently invited to engage in here-and-now reflections of self-awareness, empathy, and shared affirmations. No art experience is necessary!
- NOTE: Art materials are provided. However, casual scavenging of collage items such as newspaper, magazines, string, thread, fabric scrap, and throw-away found objects is encouraged for mixed-media experimentation is encouraged. No stress!
Week-by-Week Overview and Themes: Imaginative map-making will be a metaphor for exploring our relationship to self, others, our environments, and cancer. While art-making content varies each session, we will follow a consistent practice of checking-in followed by guided breath/body work, introduction to the theme, art-making, reflective discussion, and closing thoughts. Suggestions for voluntary self-care and artmaking in between sessions may be provided as best suits the group.
Week 1: I Am Here
Using mixed-media (paint, pastel, marker, pencil, collage) materials on paper, we’ll create maps of our here-and-now selves.
Week 2: Me and You
Working with collage images, found objects, or new drawings, we’ll explore self-identity and roles mapping what others may see on the outside and how we may feel on the inside.
Week 3: Paths and Journeys
We will explore making micro-maps and macro-maps of how we process and adapt to situations and environments of change.
Week 4: Cancer in its Place
Caregivers will be encouraged to engage in their own interpretation of creating a map that includes cancer in relation to the whole self. We will conclude the session with time to reflect on artwork created throughout the series and consider alterations we might make to our maps.