My goal as an art + health facilitator is to inspire others to honestly and creatively express themselves through visual art-making, writing, gentle movement, music and/or drama.
Every creative gathering that I design and then guide for elders and others is intended to encourage insights, promote well-being and foster a deeper connection and stronger community–for the person sharing as well as those who are witnessing. And, we laugh and have fun.
Visual art-making (including painting, drawing, clay and found object sculpting, collaging); writing, gentle movement and miming, music and/or vocal sounding
In keeping with the mission and values of this work, my workshops rely upon visual, performance and/or literary art-making. Workshops and gatherings are designed to encourage participants to connect with their authentic selves, rise to their potential, and achieve greater well-being.
Currently, I am creating and facilitating a series of ongoing art and health workshops incorporating visual art-making, music, and gentle movement for men and women living with dementia at Senior Friendship Center, Jewish Family and Children’s Services and Pines of Sarasota. In the fall of 2015 I will be joining a team of art and health professionals as part of an established art and wellness program at HealthSouth in Sarasota.
Introducing creative expression to a variety of client populations both in Florida and New Jersey, a few professional highlights include:
Conceiving and presenting Defying Gravity an eight week program focusing on imaginative art explorations for elder residents at Beneva Lakes, a Sarasota, FL long-term care facility (spring 2010); co-facilitating Celebrating Your Tribe: Connecting to Community and Your Place Within It, a workshop for veterans through Goodwill Manasota (spring 2013); co-developing and co-facilitating sand mandala-making during the first Florida state conference for women veterans (spring 2015); introducing Girl Scout Friendship Circles, encouraging young girls to explore, respect, gather and construct with objects found in nature (fall 2013); and, originating Art from the Heart an in-service program for Princeton, NJ Homecare Services hospice volunteers (spring 2011).
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University, Washington, DC and am a graduate of the Art and Healing Certificate Program at Ringling College of Art + Design, Sarasota, FL. I am also a professional member of Arts for Health Sarasota-Manatee.
With my colleague, Marcia Calderon, I have, during the past few years, worked with families in Sarasota to help create greater understanding, communication and connection between parents and their teenage and pre-teenage children.
In 2013, Marcia Calderon and I co-facilitated a series of art and health workshops for a family living with the after effects, including aphasia, of a debilitating stroke suffered by one of the family members.
• Passion for art + health work and the transformations that can and do occur
• Firm belief that we are all creative beings and sharing this belief with others
• Commitment to creating workshops that are meaningful, intentional, creative and fun
• Incorporating laughter and humor into the work that I do
• Sensitive to creating a safe and welcoming space for all
I seek to:
• meet people where they are
• support creative bravery
• be responsible to the needs of others
• encourage fun and laughter
I believe art comes from our hearts; therefore, we are all creative, artistic beings. My art and health work is both intentional and accessible to all. Seeking to support healing and positive transformation through creative expression makes our world that much more connected and joy-filled.
Professional Member of Arts for Health Sarasota-Manatee
Graduate of Art + Health Certificate Program at Ringling College of Art and Design
Bachelor or Arts degree from Georgetown University
