"Building Bridges of Creativity"
from Leading the Artful Life a publication from Mary Engelbreit's Home
ArtArtBridge/Houston encourages kids living in shelters to express
themselves artfully. Founders Trish Robbins and Jo Ann Williams, art
therapists and professional counselors, worked with more than 1,000 children in
daily art-making sessions last year. "ArtBridge strives to combat the despair of homelessness by
nurturing hope and self-esteem through art," explains Trish. "The average
age of a a homeless person is 9 years old, and the homeless population is
growing." The kids experiment with paints, markers, pencils, crayons, and
clay. "they love to work on paper plates," she notes. "the circular
form helps them to focus. Kids everywhere typically begin making art with
the circle, making it into a flower, then a face." To get little fingers moving, volunteers pass around a jar filled
with slips of paper suggesting things to draw: a favorite place, a greatest
wish. "it's usually a house, or a pet," she says. "We focus on the process, not the product. It's really
about giving them a voice. Often these children can't talk about their
situations, or they aren't given the opportunity. With art, they can say
it through their drawings and paintings. It helps to be able to get the
emotion out and know someone is listening."
Plus, it's fun. And there's a shortage of fun when you live
in a shelter. |
