Creative Inspiration. Community Weaves.
Sharing photo snapshots below of collective weaves created in and with my long-term care communities, a project inspired and passed on by fellow art therapist, Stefanie Ly.
After setting up simple supplies in a communal gathering space in my LTC home, I eagerly waited for my next shift to see it transform.
My aim with community projects is simple: to offer materials that are engaging and freely available — an open invitation rather than a structured task.
The art-making becomes a doorway for conversation and sensory engagement, as folks can participate in whatever way interests them.
“Love the continuum for the residents, and that it’s not intimidating to pARTicipate, yet is tactile and weaving has its own soothing rhythm”
These community weaves can echo the seasonal themes that gently shape and orient life within the LTC setting.
I also really cherish community projects that invite others to contribute their own elements to the weave. For our Valentine’s piece, I put together small material bags for the recreation team to create alongside their residents — fuzzy pipe-cleaner hearts and wood ornaments. Later, some of those hearts found their place in the collective weave ❤️.
Other elements such as the round ornaments on the winter weave, were created in the weekly art therapy groups.
In communal spaces like LTC, materials left out can go missing … so I would continue to add more materials each time I was there to maximize offerings and participation.
Because of their scale, the finished pieces become visually striking and impactful — not just decorations.
Thanks to Art Therapist Stefanie Ly for passing on the project!
Thanks to the recreation team (Kiki and Rebecca) for assisting with the posters for the recent weaves.
And, thanks to all those who contributed to the community weaves!
✿ BLOG POST • The Secret Weave • community weave project retrieved from www.manymoonstherapy.org
