‘Supportive Hands’... The Origin Story.
A Journey of Creativity, Hope, and Connection.
I had always hoped to share this story in 2023, as a 10 year milestone for Judy. Although a little late, the value of every year that passes brilliantly punctuates the celebratory nature of this story. This post shares the origin story (my reflections and Judy’s gratitude note written many years ago) of the "Supportive Hands" painting - an art therapy project with my wonderful LTC team in 2013 that later inspired and planted the seeds for the larger resident focused community LTC Supportive Hands Mandala (story coming soon), and many other smaller ‘supportive hands’ projects in the years to follow.
“On December 10th, 2012 when my world fell apart, it was very hard to even imagine that so much good would come out of this journey. What you all did for me is yet another example of that... As I sit here and admire once more this beautiful painting, I can’t even describe the joy that I feel to be alive and take in the meaning behind it all. I have always been intrigued by the many concepts and the meaning behind the many symbols of hands…people holding hands, praying hands, healing hands but most important “ hands are an extension of our hearts.”
Shortly after receiving her painting, Judy wanted me to share her story and the evolution of this unique collaborative piece of art. I have waited until more time has passed in order to truly honour the experience and acknowledge each yearly milestone related to her health and wellness.
“What you all created was beautiful and it goes beyond the sketch, the lines, the paint, the brush, the colours, and the design. Its all about who each and every one of you are: caring, compassionate, so willing to put the needs of others before you.”
Facilitating an Art Therapy Project with my LTC Colleagues.
I was initially approached by my colleague Leanne and manager Linda, to facilitate an ongoing art project for the resident services team. This art project would ultimately become a customized collective gift for a cherished colleague.
The care team was devastated when they received the news of our colleague being hospitalized with Leukemia. Initially with no understanding of what the journey would be, other than an extremely difficult one, an urgency surfaced as all of us needed to reach out in some way, as we were understandably feeling so incredibly helpless and stunned by the news. The team rallied and provided personalized gifts, and notes filled with thoughtful messages to impart encouragement and ultimately hope. As the holiday season passed, for Judy the journey and harsh reality of treatment protocols continued. For the team, dialogue around a group art project formed driven by the desire to connect in community, support and do more.
The Art.
Brainstorming with some of the team lead to the concept of mandalas in their various forms. I reflected upon the mandala as an artistic, spiritual and symbolic entity. I was mindful that the art piece needed to capture the essence of this unique and supportive team, and the project itself needed to be welcoming and accessible for all the staff (to encourage participation even for those who really did not feel comfortable around art materials) with both content and intent resonating in some way with each of them .
I pondered my 'roles' (art therapist, colleague and friend) and the challenges around the conception of an inclusive and meaningful art project for multiple participants - an engaging project that I could facilitate, oversee and nurture as a part-time staff with limited availability at the home. It was also essential that this legacy art develop and evolve slowly over time..... enabling me to connect and engage directly with as many of the of my colleagues that I could. I wondered … with all of this in mind... how could I reassure, connect and involve everyone? … and then, how could WE visually capture the thriving spirit of this team who were reaching out in support and solidarity?
I considered the use of hand silhouettes in Mandala creations and art therapy in general, and reflected upon the simplicity and familiarity of the hand as an image, interlaced layers of symbolism and meaning (supporting.. connecting... reaching... holding), the importance of ‘making your mark’ in art therapy as author and narrator of your creative journey, and how the hand silhouette becomes a direct symbolic representation of the self visually woven into the circular/mandala framework
Instead of individual pieces of art on paper for example, I wondered about my colleagues creating more of a tactile, permanent piece of art: a medium sized painting that could be viewed throughout it's transformative states as each participant added their hand (and their "marks'), acknowledged and celebrated as a team upon completion and viewing , and later presented to our colleague as a gift of hope and encouragement (during the next stage of her challenging but thankfully much more optimistic path back to wellness.) With more positive news and updates at this part of the journey, this piece of art could progress and over time to provide my colleagues with comfort, distraction and an empowering experience as they anxiously awaited news from Judy ... the painfully extended "in between time" of a cancer journey…
Notes were left in staff mailboxes during each stage of the creative journey to provide updates, thanks and encouragement. Through the decorate and donate program, I donated the materials and volunteered my time to guide individuals through the process, and to document the artists/participants for a photo album. The painting was on an easel in the office so staff could witness any weekly changes as they entered the space. With 25 hands/participants (and not a large enough canvas) the colourful hands spilled out from the original circle/mandala outline and filled the entire canvas.
“This is not Judy’s Mandala it’s, “OUR MANDALA” and the journey you took with me. I feel honoured that you took the time, and put so much effort, thought and energy to do this for me. I am truly touched by your kindness and energy. “ May kindness always return to you in the same beautiful way that it was given”. This is truly a very unique painting and such a beautiful and powerful concept, my family and I will treasure it for years to come...remaining very hopeful and grateful.”
Having collaborated previously with Judy on an art therapy and recreation art mural project, I was aware of her creative interests and enthusiastic and caring regard for the arts, and that she would be open and receptive to a unique gift/project from the heart. Although still a long and difficult journey ahead, Judy had responded well to her treatments and received very good news about her prognosis. She lovingly provided regular email updates to the care team through our manager. It was an incredibly meaningful moving and inspiring experience as an art therapist, friend and peer!
“I hope that this story touches the heart of those who read it as much as it continues to touch mine...”
HAND Posts on The Connections Blog:
✿ Supportive Hands. A Connecting and Creative Legacy Project. 〰 AP • sharing a community art therapy story 2023
✿ Connecting Hands 〰 reflections on art therapy and older adults with dementia AP BLOG
✿ Connecting Hands & Creating Legacy. Moments. Meg. 〰 sharing a reflection story about legacy art-hand casting AP BLOG
FINGERPRINT Post on the Connections Blog:
✿ A Safe Space for Creativity & Wellness. 〰 Shara McLaren • a hospice art therapy story 2021
✿ Creative Prompt Link • Hold Onto & Let Go of 〰 from creativityintherapy web blog • Carolyn Mehlomakulu
✿ Creative Prompt • Hands Past and Present 〰 from Michelle Morgan Create Your LIfe website archive
✿ ARTICLE • Mandala History * it is incredibly important to honour and reference the cultural origins of the images and approaches we use
