This image dons the cover of the most recent Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. I am reminded of Palm Petals ( A Community Garden), a workshop project created and facilitated by Casey Whittier in the Kansas City community associated with the Epstein Gallery. I had the honor of working with Casey and Shellie Kacillas, assisting over 70 members of the local community - ranging in age from 18 months to 99 - in making flowers from clay, pressed into individuals' palms. Casey's intention of producing the community garden was to "create forms as an act of remembrance, hope and growth."
Though the Rose Garden Installation was created primarily out of egg cartons and specifically with older adults, the Advocate Luther General Hospital Day Service was also addressing the idea of memory and growth. Katharine Kiehn worked with this community, building up an installation which symbolizes life beyond the limits of medical labels and social stigmas associated with age-related memory loss. Fashioning flowers as a group allows for these individuals to steer away from feelings of isolation and to gain new skills as they express themselves with the provided media. Through repetition in the art making process, a sense of calm and grounding, as well as self-confidence, can occur.
I am in awe of both the process and product of these installation projects. They speak to the idea that art can be the nourishment which aids us in blooming as singular persons and within the collective.
Though the Rose Garden Installation was created primarily out of egg cartons and specifically with older adults, the Advocate Luther General Hospital Day Service was also addressing the idea of memory and growth. Katharine Kiehn worked with this community, building up an installation which symbolizes life beyond the limits of medical labels and social stigmas associated with age-related memory loss. Fashioning flowers as a group allows for these individuals to steer away from feelings of isolation and to gain new skills as they express themselves with the provided media. Through repetition in the art making process, a sense of calm and grounding, as well as self-confidence, can occur.
I am in awe of both the process and product of these installation projects. They speak to the idea that art can be the nourishment which aids us in blooming as singular persons and within the collective.