Laughter and smiles filled the room as the Women in Recovery participants gathered together to learn about the benefits of conveying their feelings through painting, yoga and writing.
On March 31, Women in Recovery participated in an afternoon of imagination, creativity and emotional power. This event was a chance for the women to learn how to express their thoughts and feelings in a healthy and productive way. Leadership Tulsa and Tulsa Artist Fellowship wanted the event to be a shared experience rather than a lecture between the artists and the women. It was an afternoon full of healing and expression.
The afternoon began with a relaxing yoga session and a musical experience. Once the women’s souls were opened they continued with visual arts and creative writing. Art has a way of bringing people together and that was the case with our women and artists.
Executive Director of Leadership Tulsa Wendy Thomas explained that Leadership Tulsa is an expert in using the community as a classroom. Tulsa Artist Fellowship, a program for aspiring artists, wanted to give their fellows a chance to experience the city, especially the educational and social services programs that help make our city great. “This day was to help Women in Recovery look at the art of healing. Tulsa Artist Fellowship helped to bring creative expression to the social service and healing work that the Women in Recovery program does,” Thomas said.
Jenifer, a Women in Recovery participant, expressed how much she enjoyed the workshop. “We are getting to participate in different kinds of art. I find it amazing because people in our community have come together to help us express ourselves in a healthy manner and help us experience new things that we haven’t been exposed to before. When I write, it is so I can pour my feelings and my dreams hopes and aspirations out on paper. It is so much easier to articulate my feelings this way.”
All of the women in the program were able to attend, there were over 70 women and 20 artists that came together. The Hardesty Foundation generously funded the entire event. The women painted two canvases during the event that are planned to be auctioned off. The money raised will be used to fund needed supplies for yoga and art projects for our Women in Recovery.
