Art Therapy with Refugee Elders

      Art therapy provides a creative process for people to look at their hopes, fears, struggles, and strengths.  The art becomes a personal visual expression and a means of insight. This expression can be shared with others

      Joyce Ogden (RSM) leads the therapy groups. She is a Sister of Mercy, an artist, art therapist, and art teacher.  She taught art for 25 years, was Cultural Director for the Portland Boys and Girls Clubs for five years, and worked at Bridgehaven as an art therapist for eighteen years.  Currently, she works in her art studio and volunteers with the City-Wide Program for Refugee Elders, Sacred Heart Village, and Day Spring.

Mandalas

This exhibit of art work by the refugee elders features Mandalas. Mandala means center, circumference, or magic circle. It is a symbol of self and has been portrayed by every culture. It can be a source of healing because it reflects our world and our inner selves.

     The art therapy sessions are break out groups from the English as a Second Language classes. Each person completed an individual mandala and explored the content with the invaluable help of  interpreters. They then worked with the group cooperatively to create a group Mandala. They named the group Mandala and shared feeling about the process of self expression and group belonging. Each group was very involved in sharing losses, hopes, and gratitude.