Taking courses from CMHA helped me developing tools to support my wellbeing. This resource assisted me in building confidence, self awareness, coping skills and shifting my thinking process.
Learning innovative ways, I slowly created an opportunity for myself in my recover journey. |
Self Discovery Through Clay This project was facilitated for two different groups through Zoom during Covid. One group focused on the Chinese community to address seniors abuse and isolation which was facilitated in Cantonese. The second group was funded through Calgary Arts Development. It addressed Calgary's public wellbeing. It encouraged each participants to practice mindfulness, self awareness, kindness, playing, learning, sharing and accepting new situations and moving forward. Clay had special qualities for members to tap into and reflect on daily life. As they achieved, they contributed their ways of learning, solving problems and expressing their feelings. When they molded the clay, the clay shaped them.
There were 5 classes: Flexibility Basic Harmony Nature Nobility Figure Painting with Janey
This group of seniors came together to engage, socialize and paint once a week. Most of them had never painted before. With a little guidance, they were able to do some amazing paintings. The point was about willingness to try. At the end of each session, they had to sign their painting to prove "I did that!". The T-shirt painting session achieved much more than the lesson.
"Janey, I can't paint today. I have to go for a kidney treatment this afternoon." I said:"...well, you still have a few hours before the appointment, why not paint a little, if you have questions, I am here to help." Pat did this painting. She took it along with her to the treatment. She felt strong and positive. |
Paint Your Mona Lisa - N.E. Supportive GroupThis was a funded project, the New Horizon Senior grant to address seniors isolation and abuse. Facilitating expressive arts to 6 groups of seniors ages from 50-90, with a total of 105 people. Most of the seniors had never painted before. Each class started with music, dance, painting, and ended with self reflection. The activities helped the seniors to be aware of themselves, socialize with others and express their feelings. One member was isolated at home because his spouse passed away. In Vietnamese tradition, he had to stay at home to honor her for three months. During the four sessions, he started to paint his wife who was looking down to her garden from heaven and his last painting, he painted her portrait. This was a significant healing process to him and to many others. The paintings of My Clothes Line and My Tree showed plenty of hidden talents. I was very proud to be part of this project. Not only did I learn how to improve my facilitating skill, I also practiced my Cantonese.
Out of My Comfort Zone |
Testing my skill, I painted portraits for Grade 6 graduates for four years. My most ambitious accomplishments were drawing 147 Grade 9 graduates for two years. This devotion granted me the Roland Gissing Trophy in 2009 by the Calgary Sketch Club for outstanding contribution to the community. I also received the same trophy in 2016 for guiding the L3 senior group for two years and coordinated five art shows. These art shows proved to the public and the seniors that art could help them gain confidence and self esteem.
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