Trauma, Art, & Healing: A Community Conversation
March 04, 2018
Trauma, Art, & Healing is a program of the Kent County Art Council’s “Heroin & Healing Exhibition Project”
On Sunday, March 4th, the Kent County Arts Council partnered with Washington College’s REACH Center for prevention, education, and advocacy, to hold a community conversation. The event focused on developing a holistic approach to wellness and how creating art can act as a healing process for trauma. The talk was introduced by John Schratwieser, the director of the Kent County Arts Council. Rachel Boyle, the director of Prevention, Education, and Advocacy at the Washington College REACH center, then talked briefly about WAC’s wellness initiatives and how the new REACH center at the college will serve as a space to promote student wellness.
The event discussed the New Day Campaign as well, which is an initiative to use art and public engagement to challenge the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and substance use. Peter Bruun, the curator of the New Day Campaign, talked about the new Heroin & Healing Art Exhibition, and several guest speakers also shared their experiences with trauma and healing, as well as their own healing practices. Artist Phylicia Ghee talked about her recent art exhibit and about art as a healing mechanism for trauma, while Deborah Mizeur and Pamela Whyte shared their personal journeys and current healing practices. The speakers then facilitated an informal conversation with the attendees of the event. The event was followed by a communal healing experience.