Art for Cancer Wellness: Young Adults Group with Em, Summer 2023
Workshop Title: Creative Self-Exploration
Facilitator: Em Jones, MA, BFA, LGPAT
Dates: Wednesdays, 6 PM to 7:45 PM ET
- June 14, 2023
- June 28, 2023
- July 12, 2023
- July 26, 2023
- August 9, 2023
- August 23, 2023
In this bi-weekly six-week workshop facilitated by art therapist Em Jones, participants will be invited to an art therapy group series that focuses on creative self-exploration for young adults with cancer. Each week, group members will be guided to creatively explore their thoughts, feelings, and current experiences with the aim of facilitating self-expression, fostering hope and strength, and encouraging support in a creative and healing virtual group atmosphere.
Week-by-Week Overview: Each workshop will be structured as follows: check-in, introduction to theme, art-making, discussion, and closing thoughts.
Week 1: Mood Portrait
Materials: Mixed-media sketchbook, watercolor paint, paint brush, water cup; Option to include various other art materials (colored pencils, markers, pens, crayons, etc).
Structure:
- Group introductions, review of consent, and space to discuss group expectations and goals
- Check-in: Each participant selects a soul card image that resonates with them, then writes three words that they associate with the image
- Create artwork responding to how the soul card connects with their current experience
- Discussion about artwork and descriptive words, associations, and the process of reflecting on their experience using soul cards
- Closing thoughts
Week 2: Mandala
Materials: Mixed-media sketchbook, watercolor paint, paint brush, water cup; Option to include various other art materials (colored pencils, markers, pens, crayons, etc).
Structure:
- Check-in
- Mandala meditation
- Introduce concept of mandala
- Demonstrate drawing circle with template
- Create artwork using the shape of a circle
- Discussion about artwork, associations, and the experience of creating a mandala
- Reference research that supports healing elements of mandala-making
- Continued discussion and closing thoughts
Week 3: Bridge
Materials: Mixed-media sketchbook, watercolor paint, paint brush, water cup; Option to include various other art materials (colored pencils, markers, pens, crayons, etc).
Structure:
- Check-in
- Journey meditation
- Introduction to the theme of journey and transitions using metaphor of the bridge
- Create artwork in response to meditation and focus
- Discussion of artwork and associations
- Closing thoughts
Week 4: Greatest Fear & Greatest Comfort
Materials: Mixed-media sketchbook, watercolor paint, paint brush, water cup; Option to include various other art materials (colored pencils, markers, pens, crayons, etc).
Structure:
- Check-in
- Introduction to the theme of fear and comfort
- Create artwork in response to the group theme
- Discussion of artwork and associations
- Closing thoughts
Week 5: Life Story
Materials: Mixed-media sketchbook, watercolor paint, paint brush, water cup; Option to include various other art materials (colored pencils, markers, pens, crayons, etc).
Structure:
- Check-in
- Introduction to the theme: Life Story and Present Chapter
- Create artwork in response to the group theme
- Discussion of artwork and associations
- Closing thoughts
Week 6: Lessons I’ve Learned & Wisdom I Can Share: Touchstones
Materials: Mixed-media sketchbook, watercolor paint, paint brush, water cup; Option to include various other art materials (colored pencils, markers, pens, crayons, etc).
Structure:
- Check-in
- Introduce themes of personal wisdom and possible lessons learned during cancer journey or life journey
- Create artwork using collage materials to reflect on lessons learned and wisdom that could be shared with others on a similar journey
- Discussion of artwork, associations, and the process of artistically reflecting on wisdom gained from life experiences
- To close, group members will use collage materials to create a touchstone that contains a word or phrase that reminds them of a piece of personal wisdom. Participants will be invited to share their collage and touchstones
- Closing thoughts about experience in the group and the six-week series