“I looked at myself in a new way that allowed for my truth and compassion.”
CONNECTION THROUGH EXPRESSION
The Connection Through Expression (CTE) program is a six-week virtual facilitated arts-based workshop series for individuals aged 14 to 18 living with mental health challenges.
GOALS
The program aims to help participants:
Foster connection and community
Express themselves creatively
Learn coping tools
Build grounding and mindfulness skills
HOW
Participants will join two Art Not Shame facilitators for weekly two-hour Zoom sessions of art-making, self-exploration and community-building through creative expression!
Together we will explore our individual and community journey. Each week we will explore a different theme through talking, art-making, and sharing.
No prior art-making experience is required to participate!
WHEN
Mondays from 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Monday March 28th to Monday May 9th (no session on Monday April 18th)
MEET YOUR FACILITATORS
Michelle Miranda (she/her)
Hi everyone, my name is Michelle and I will be one of your facilitators for Connection Through Expression! I have had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate and connect with Art Not Shame over the past 3 years as a mental health support, artist, and facilitator. I am so excited to have you join our workshop where we can come together to create, share, and connect as a community. As an artist, I enjoy creatively expressing myself through mediums such as watercolour, woodburning, and mixed media artwork. Some fun facts about me are that I am a big nature person, cat mama, food enthusiast, and passionate about randomly dancing everywhere I go.
I look forward to meeting you, having fun, expressing, and listening to what each of us has to offer!
Julie Mason (she/her)
I am joining Michelle as your Connection Through Expression co-facilitator and go-to person for mental health and accessibility needs in the program. I'm so grateful to have worked with Art Not Shame as a program participant in the program F*ck Perfect, and in the role of mental health supporter for program participants for the past year. I believe in the interactive power of expression, creativity and connection to bust shame, reduce stigma and boost joy. As a social worker and mental health therapist and peer, I am really into inviting people to express themselves in ways that goes beyond using verbal speech alone. My favourite art activity is doodling with markers and pens and drawing cartoony images. I love finding new forest trails to explore with my dogs.
I am foreseeing 6 weeks of magic and fun happening in Connection Through Expression and look forward to seeing what we will create all together!