Virtual Creative Mental Health Workshops

During the week of April 27, 2020,  Saint-Cyr Art Studio implemented a series of virtual creative workshops focusing on mental health. The goal of the project was to carry out 5 zoom art workshops geared towards all ages, but mainly kids and youths to help them express their thoughts and emotions, through visual arts and creative writing, as they are social distancing. 

During the workshops, we focused on creative exercises we can do for our mental health while social distancing. Some of the visual mindfulness art exercises included: drawing a dual self-portrait of how you portray yourself to the world, and who you are beneath the surface, and creating a drawing from a favorite memory. 

The creative writing exercises focused on introducing the participants to different forms of writing, such as a haiku, free-verse poem, memoir. The participants then used the prompt to write something reflective, such as a memoir on a time they were brave, a haiku about spring, and a free verse poem about their favorite memory. 

This project was funded by grants from the NYSCA DEC Grant, and a  Community Grant from United Way LI, and additional support by Minority Millennials. Saint-Cyr Art Studio collaborated with published author, Sade' Norwood. 

*Thumbnail art by: Jaritza