Art for Cancer Wellness: Young Adults Group
Artwork by March 2022 participant Corinna Woodard.
Facilitator: Em Jones, BFA
Time: Wednesdays, 5:30 PM to 7 PM, EST
Frequency: Alternating weeks, starting June 22
Register today!
In this biweekly six-week summer session facilitated by graduate art therapy student Em Jones, participants (ages 19 to 29) will be invited to take part in 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).
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, circular template (plate, cup, etc), pencil, various art materials (oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolor paints, etc).
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: Self as Tree, Life as landscape
Materials: Mixed-media sketchbook, various art supplies (oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolor paints, pens, markers, etc).
Check-in; Guided nature imagery about change; Introduction to the theme of self as a tree, life as a landscape. Create artwork using metaphor to represent self and environment/resources. Discussion of artwork, associations, and the process of reflecting on self and environment metaphorically. Closing thoughts.
Week 4: Inside/Outside
Materials: Mixed-media sketchbook, circular template (plate, cup, etc), pencil, various art materials (oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolor paints, etc).
Check-in; Introduce theme of internal and external self. Demonstrate folding paper to create inside/outside or using a circle template. Create artwork using symbols and metaphors or colors, lines, and shapes to reflect on public self (roles and personas) and private self (unspoken inner thoughts and feelings). Discussion about artwork, associations, and the experience of reflecting on inner and outer self. Closing thoughts.
Week 5: Visual Swamp
Materials: Mixed-media sketchbook, various art materials (oil pastels, watercolor paint, colored pencils, crayons, etc).
Check-in; Introduction to the theme of visual swamp: exploring fears and anticipated challenges in life journey using the metaphor of a swamp. Create artwork in response to the theme, reflecting on obstacles and fears as well as resources and supports that help us on our life journey. Discussion of artwork, associations, and the process of using metaphor to reflect on fears and resources. Closing thoughts.
Week 6: Lessons I’ve Learned & Wisdom I Can Share: Touchstones
Materials: Mixed-media sketchbook, collage materials (magazines, catalogs, clear glue, scissors). Option to include various other art materials (colored pencils, markers, pens, crayons, etc).
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.