Innovative course helps bereaved parents through art
I would love to share with you a ground-breaking community-focused course that is beginning again soon in Edmonton. Here is more info about “Healing Art for Mourning Parents.”
HEALING ART FOR MOURNING PARENTS
Losing a child is one of the most unimaginable scenarios for parents who dream of bringing home their baby and starting a life together. When tragedy strikes, which it does for 1/5 pregnancies ending in miscarriage and 1/160 pregnancies ending in stillbirth, the parents often feel the sting of isolation and stigma as they mourn without support.
This is where Healing Art for Mourning Parents comes in. The course takes place at South Pointe Community Centre in south Edmonton as a part of their Wellness Project. The Wellness Project offers education and tools to help individuals and families in our community deal with the stresses of modern life. Healing Art for Mourning Parents is taught by yours truly. I am a professional artist with my Bachelor of Fine Art in painting and photography and my Masters of Fine Art in creative writing. More important than those credentials; I have lived through loss first hand. As the course instructor, I will share how I struggled to say goodbye to my son Zachary when he died in my arms at birth. Art transformed me in my healing process and this is what Healing Art for Mourning Parents is all about.
The class welcomes bereaved mothers and fathers into a safe environment where they can share their stories and make art.
“I strongly believe that creativity is a tool to break out of the debilitating grief after the death of a child.
It was the way I found peace and regained hope. I am passionate about helping others do the same.”
– Alexis Marie Chute
WEEK 1:
Participants will use creativity to look at their grief from different angles and uncover each individual’s unique healing vocabulary through creative writing.
WEEK 2:
Participants will use the writing from the previous week as a jumping off point for creating meaningful and symbolic collages.
WEEK 3:
Participants will focus on painting, both from life and abstract, as a creative outlet for mourning.
WEEK 4:
Participants will work with clay, discovering the healing freedom of explorative play and getting dirty.
Healing Arts for Mourning Parents will give participants the opportunity to create treasured keepsakes. In an experience where so much is taken from parents, including the future they envisioned for their family, this course is guaranteed to make a lasting impact.
11520 Ellerslie Road SW
780 438 4523
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Featuring Alexis Marie Chute of Wanted, Chosen, Planned
Thursdays, Feb. 23rd, Mar. 2nd, 9th & 16th (7:00-9:00pm)
This four week art-based support group is for moms and dads who have experienced the pain of miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant loss.
Using writing and various art mediums, Alexis Marie will lead you to a place of processing and healing in a supportive environment where your pain is understood.
Registration is open now. $50/person
6 Comments
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Hello there
When is the next class coming up? Also where can I register?
Thank u
Hi Barbara,
Thank you so much for your message!
The next course starts Thursday, February 23, running 4 weeks. It takes place at South Pointe Community Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Here is the link to register: http://bit.ly/2lWei4W
Do you live in Edmonton? I hope you are able to make it! Let me know.
Thanks Barbara!
Alexis Marie
Hi Alexis,
I know there is a 4 week class already started so can you tell me if there is dates scheduled for the following classes?
Thanks,
Lisa
Hi Lisa, Are you in Edmonton? We have two weeks left and I believe South Pointe offers pro-rated fees for people who start late. I am not sure when we will run the class next, but you can always add your name to the waiting list with South Pointe/The Wellness Project and then will be notified. You can also subscribe to the Wanted Chosen Planned blog here and will get notified by me when the next class will run. I have thought about offering the course as an online offering as well. As someone who is interested, would you prefer the in-person class or the online class? Thanks for reaching out about this. And I offer my sincerest condolences for your loss. Sending love and hugs your way!
– Alexis Marie
Hi Alexis,
I live in Edmonton. I would prefer to do the class from the beginning and in-person vs online. Thanks for the info.
Hi Lisa,
I will let you know when we run the class again. Thank you for your feedback about in-person vs. online. It is always helpful to know where people are coming from in terms of the experience they want to have. I do hope to meet you sometime soon, especially since we live in the same city.
I hope you are doing well!
Hugs,
Alexis Marie