Created by and Art Journaling for Teen Wellbeing group
Paper Crane Vending Machine
A project inclusive of Araluen's "Creative Minds" group.
Knowledge and skills practiced through this activity: *Development of emotional intelligence, self worth, empathy, cause and effect, attachment understanding (letting go), process rather than product. *Creative process and activity, *Development of fine and or gross motor skills. *Decision making *Experiential knowing through art. Other benefits: Connection to each other (group work as well as individual tasks). Connection to the community. Awareness of environment. Gratitude. Development of creative thinking. Exploration of values. Self regulation. Fun.
The Girls Shed
A series of regular workshops designed specifically for adolescent girls.
Mothers Piecing Together Hope
A group inquiry into the lived experience of hope for mothers.
Mothers piecing together hope is an arts based research in which a group of six mothers came together to inquire into their lived experiences of hope. As a mother I was curious about the function of hope in our lives, not just my own, but for other mothers in the community around me. What does hope look like for a mother and what does it do?
As we sat in a circle, stories were shared in describing the phenomenon of hope as perceived by mothers. Their similarities were acknowledged and differences explored both individually and collectively. It was only then that we could explore the role hope can play in the life of a mother.
It was through quilt makers skills, a ‘bricolage’ of qualitative research methodologies and procedures used in the MIECAT form of inquiry, that we were able to look into hope. Colours, textures, words and sensations all contributed to a rich collection of ideas and possibilities throughout the exploration.
As a researcher I wanted to give a voice to these personal experiences of hope. I ‘patchworked’ and joined the pieces of my understanding of what emerged from my time with the participants. I wanted to show how they (and myself) came to know and appreciate more about themselves, others, and the values surrounding hope. The complexities of hope was integral in considering what hope is to a mother. Self-identity was found to influence hope in a mother’s life. The understanding of hope as it transitions through time and space furthered our exploration. The connection made as we sat together sharing a space was invaluable in our inquiry.
I also offer the methods and procedures described in this paper as a possibility. A possibility to bring groups of people together, to explore, to understand any topic, and open the potential to live differently.