Creative Mindfulness With Art

These virtual sessions are intended for adults. Adults who wish to have their children attend with them is fine, but please note of the sensitive and emotional topics that may be discussed and may not be deemed appropriate for younger children.

NOTE: If no participants join the call/class within 15 minutes after the start time, the call/class will end.

To assist you in the virtual sessions, the descriptions and suggested supplies to have on hand are listed for each week. Sometimes a link to print a template is provided. Just click on the link below to view and print. 

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11/16 and 11/17: Gratitude Explosion
Supplies needed: paper, pen for writing, markers, or pencils
Template available
Description: Research has shown that showing gratitude for things in our lives improves our overall wellbeing. During this session we will focus on the simple, everyday experiences that make our life enjoyable.

>>>>>>>Nov. 23 & 24 Thanksgiving - no sessions<<<<<<<<

11/30 and 12/1: Found Poetry
Supplies needed: printed text, pencil, markers, or pens
Description: In this session we will create a new poem or statement using a page torn from an old book (OPTIONAL TEMPLATES: 1, 2, 3).

12/7 and 12/8: Community Joy (Mandala)
Supplies needed: (OPTIONAL TEMPLATE), pencil, colored pencils
Description: Mandala is the Sanskrit word for circle and often represents the universe. We will be creating a mandala using guidelines for a relaxing process resulting in a beautiful, finished image

Not only is creating art good for you but looking at art lights up your brain the same way as ‘gazing at a loved one’. In today's session we will talk about the benefits of making and looking at art and how we can spread the joy in our community. December 9 is Free Art Friday with the C.A.R.E. Program, and we encourage you to participate by sharing the work you create with your local community.

Follow this link for more information: https://www.henryford.com/visitors/caregivers/free-art-friday

12/14 and 12/15: Self-Compassion
Supplies needed: paper, colored pencils, or markers
Description: a visual reminder of the self-compassion you want to practice.

12/21 and 12/22: Stardust
Supplies needed: paper, colored pencils or markers, optional watercolor paint
Description: “We are made of star stuff” ~ Carl Sagan - In this session we will practice a breathing meditation and create artwork reflecting this.

1/12: Growth- preparation for Free Art Friday on 1/13
“I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love, If you want me again look for me under your bootsoles.” - Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
Description: As we set intentions for the new year, we will focus on what we want to grow. What does growth mean to you? What will grow from where you’ve been?
Supplies: paper, colored pencils or markers

1/19: Exploration
“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J R R Tolkien
Description: Imagine you are wondering around a new and beautiful place… what do you see? What everyday beauty do you notice?
Supplies: paper and pencils

1/26: Cozy Sweater- facilitated by Chasity, art therapy intern
Description: What does your favorite cozy sweater look like? Think of the fabric, the print, and the way it feels on your body. How do you feel when you wear it? What mood does it put you in?
Supplies: Paper, watercolor paint, and crayons

2/2 Lotus
“You must be a lotus, unfolding its petals when the sun rises in the sky, unaffected by the slush where it is born or even the water which sustains it!” - Sai Baba
Description: How do we approach our days? In today's session we will explore the ways we prepare ourselves for the day ahead, and how little changes can make a big difference.
Supplies: watercolor paint and paper, crayons or pencils

2/9 Flowing River- preparation for Free Art Friday on 2/10
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” ― Heraclitus (~500 BCE)
Description: What does this quote mean to you? As we create a river timeline, we will focus on how personal experiences help us grow.
Supplies: paper, colored pencils or markers

2/16 Name Tag (facilitated by Chasity, art therapy intern)
Description: In this session we will explore how we express ourselves to others - who do we tell the world we are?
Supplies: paper, colored pencils or markers

2/23 Simple Portrait
“Being human is not about being any one particular way; it is about being as life creates you—with your own particular strengths and weaknesses, gifts and challenges, quirks and oddities.” - Kristin Neff
Description: In this session we will create a portrait of our traits. The things that make us who we are regardless of titles and labels.
Supplies: paper, colored pencils

3/2 Being Yourself
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” - Joseph Campbell
Description: In this session we will focus on words we choose to use as part of our personal descriptions and how our self-talk can affect us.
Supplies: paper, colored pencils

3/9 Morning Mug-facilitated by Chasity, art therapy intern; preparation for Free Art Friday on 3/10
Description: Let’s focus on an ideal morning with our mug filled with what we need. What does your go-to mug look like? What’s inside your mug?
Supplies: Paper, colored pencils, fabric (or paper) scraps, and glue

3/16 Your Heart
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” - Dalai Lama
Description: What is in your heart? How do you share love and compassion with yourself and others?
Supplies: paper, colored pencils or markers

3/23 Boundaries
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Description: In order to be our true selves, we must listen to our heart and follow our values. Learning and growing is always a great idea but distorting ourselves to fit someone's else ideas is not.
Supplies: paper, colored pencils or markers

3/30 Perspective-facilitated by Chasity, art therapy intern
Description: In this session we will explore the different ways we see the world. What do you see? What do others see? And what is reflecting back to us?
Supplies: Paper, markers, circular shapes (for tracing), pen/ pencil

4/6 Everyday Gratitude- preparation for Free Art Friday on 4/7
"Each day brings new opportunities, allowing you to constantly live with love—be there for others—bring a little light into someone's day. Be grateful and live each day to the fullest" - Kyo Maclear
Description: Today we will focus on the simple, everyday things in our lives that bring us joy.
Supplies: paper, colored pencils or markers

4/13 Gateway
"Living in a state of gratitude is the gateway to grace," Arianna Huffington
Description: What would it look like to have a gateway that leads to love and grace? What would the materials be? Where would it lead?
Supplies: paper, colored pencils or markers

4/20 Feeling Flower- facilitated by Chasity, art therapy intern
Description: If you could visualize your feelings, what would they look like? Today we will transform our thoughts and feelings into a three-dimensional flower.
Supplies: Scrap paper, pencil/ pen, colored pencils or markers, and glue

4/27 The Beauty of Gratitude
"Gratitude is the closest thing to beauty manifested in an emotion." - Mindy Kaling
Description: Today we will practice a simple meditation and visualization with watercolor paints for increased relaxation.
Supplies: watercolor paper and paint

5/4 Inside / Outside
“Look outside and you will see yourself. Look inside and you will find yourself.” - Drew Gerald
Description: In today's session we will explore the idea of who we are on the inside and who we show to the world on the outside.
Supplies: paper, colored pencils or markers

5/11 Mind Map
“Your mind is like a gold mine, if you dig deep, you will find something golden.” - Gift Gugu Mona
Description: Today we will explore our thoughts and create a mind map to illustrate the connections we make.
Supplies: paper, colored pencils or markers

5/18 Iceberg of Thoughts
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” - Carl Jung
Description: today we will explore the idea of how our unconscious thoughts might be guiding our conscious actions
Supplies: paper, colored pencils or markers

5/25 A Meditation
“Be the witness of your thoughts.” - Gautama Buddha
Description: today we will practice a simple meditation to bring awareness to our thoughts.
Supplies: paper, colored pencils or markers

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The materials you should have ready for the classes are:

• Paper- which may include any of the following: printer paper, drawing paper, old mail envelopes, paper bags, wrapping paper, etc.
• Pencil
• Pens
• Markers
• Colored pencils
• Glue / glue stick
• Magazine (to cut up for collage)
• Pages from an old book (I can provide text to be printed at home for found poetry project)

All of the projects will be completed using items you probably already have on hand. We do not expect you to make large purchases for supplies. The Art Therapist will be able to assist you with modifications to the project with the materials you have.

*Classes are sponsored by Henry Ford C.A.R.E. Program and iCare4U ERG

WebEx link to join 10 am session: 
https://hfhs.webex.com/hfhs/j.php?MTID=m29b8df2d84b7f6bf6b31ae5bac9d9cab 
Join by meeting number 
Meeting number (access code): 1856 95 9400
Meeting password: Care 

WebEx link to join 6 pm session: 
https://hfhs.webex.com/hfhs/j.php?MTID=m887d4a7f97d8893a0e35b38476ffaf71 
Join by meeting number 
Meeting number (access code): 1854 82 9760
Meeting password: Care