June 5, 2015 - Building on past workshops about gratitude, self-love, hope and mindful thinking, Arts & Dreams provided the middle-school youth in Red Hook Initiative's Mirrors of Strength after-school group with a "Free Expression" workshop.
After a discussion about the power of choice, and feedback from the young women about how it feels to choose to love, soothe and nourish oneself no matter what the outside circumstance, as well as the role that art and writing can play in that, the young women were empowered to choose to express themselves creatively in any positive way they wanted.
Some chose to create loving mantras with fabric paints on tote bags and t-shirts, some drew inspired creations on paper, and every creation was a loving, hopeful message to self. Following the art making, the young women each talked about what their art meant to them, and then told themselves, "I love you, I really love you," while looking into a hand mirror.
Thank you to all the Arts & Dreams supporters, and everyone at RHI for making this workshop series possible. Photos by Patricia Geremia and Laura Baran.
