Art of the Guests at the Community Inn, Lexington, Ky
Homeless Shelter
I have been very busy over the past five weeks and haven't had time to write! This is a good thing for me because I've been doing Art and Healing with the homeless population in Lexington. I went there to tour the shelter to get ready for another part time job of shepherding 3 seminarians from Los Angeles (which just ended!) As we were touring, the leader of GodsNet, Ginny Ramsey, told us that they held classes every evening from 7-9 pm. They were doing yoga, computer literacy, health checkups, and legal advice. I suddenly realized that I had a class that would fit perfectly! So I offered to do Art and Healing. Ginny wanted me to start the next day~!
I'm always cautious about getting started with things, so I offered to do a six week class on Sunday evenings. The above artwork is a partial show of the art that has been done over the last 5 weeks! They have been quite interested in the artwork. When they see me pull up, somebody always asks if I need some help (very gallant!) and if we are doing art tonight? I have surveyed the people who have come and most say they feel better afterwards and want to do more classes like this! Music to my ears!
I started writing grants to get materials and some help so that I could continue the classes! The Franciscan Vision group in Lexington began taking up a collection for art materials and suggested a couple of places for me to go to for grants. And then one evening I stopped at Starbucks and Lauren, who was at the window asked me what interesting thing I had been doing that day. I told her about Art and Healing and she got very excited. She has arranged an Art Show for August 28 where we will display the artwork we have been doing And they will take up a collection of art supplies for the whole week! She also came to class this past Sunday and met some of the people. We plan to partner for each six week class to do an art show and take up a collection. They will also advertise the Sandwich Ministry and each Starbucks with take a week to do sandwiches by the employees. This is all very exciting for me!
In addition to the class on Sunday evenings, Ginny also asked me to do a class with the Homeless Veterans on Wednesday afternoons. This will be an on-going class that will be supported by the VA! I will include their work with the other's for the art show. In addition to doing the Art and Healing work as I've described in other blogs, I am giving them strategies for alleviating anxiety as they go through their week (thanks to my friend Amy Cloud, who is the Adult Education Coordinator for Grant County). I brought peppermints to class and encouraged them to take several especially if they were filling out applications (I made sure to say not to have one in their mouths if they were interviewing!) We do the sign for infinity in the air (a sideways figure 8) forwards and backwards about 4 times with each hand to connect both sides of the brain. And I showed them the thymus thump where you give your chest a light thump just under the collarbone. I also give them a small 2 x 2 piece of colored paper which I invite them to choose to take with them. I explained that when they get anxious they can look at this square of color and that will help calm their axiety. They have all made sure they take their square with them every week.
I thank my creator that I am able to use my gifts as a creative person to help people in such a wonderful way! I will continue to update you on what is happening as I go along! I'll have to carve out time to do my own art!
Photo from Kentucky Herald Leader! See Merlene Davis' story May 12, 2011!
