Generalmural2009
- 1. Healing Garden Project Chris Ann Drosdick, Art Therapy Counselor 2009
- 2. Overview The Healing Garden project began as an aesthetic enhancement for an adult psychiatric inpatient population.
- 3. A former smoking area on an outdoor atrium was drab and uninviting.
- 4. Starting Point This large concrete wall was the initial focus
- 5. Step one was to remove 25 years of nicotine stains from the wall.
- 6. The Design Plan Management supported the project and placed very few limitations on the mural design.
- 7. The mural was to be bright and colorful.
- 8. The mural was to be inviting, to encourage patients to step outside in the fresh air.
- 9. The mural was to be wordless – to discourage graffiti.
- 10. The Process Patients assisted in the completion of the entire project
- 11. The art therapist served as the guide for the overall design of the project
- 12. Here you see the start of the sun, flower urn and a butterfly.
- 13. The Process Large and colorful hibiscus flowers were plotted in.
- 14. Hibiscus symbolize love and divination.
- 15. The Garden Walk We began with several terra cotta pots and no plants.
- 16. With a grant from St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hudson, Ohio – we were able to create The Healing Garden and purchase the paint needed.
- 17. The Garden Walk Each flowerpot was painted a different color, corresponding to the chakras within the body.
- 18. Next, an affirmation was painted on each pot.
- 19. Plant Symbolism Perennials were added in the garden, each with symbolic meaning.
- 20. Delphinium (aka Larkspur) symbolizes an open heart, ardent attachment and convey a feeling of lightness and levity.
- 21. The Garden Walk Some plants we started from seed – patients were thrilled to see cucumbers growing in the garden.
- 22. “No garden is without weeds” by Thomas Fuller provides food for thought.
- 23. The Process A patient with active psychosis sketched this profile of a man in the area of the sun.
- 24. Management asked I remove the profile as some patients felt it was frightening.
- 25. Lesson Learned As an art therapist, I appreciate the spontaneous expression art can bring about.
- 26. Management does not always agree.
- 27. Documentation of the process helps to preserve these moments.
- 28. Final Product Changes made to the sun.
- 29. Cloud with silver lining in the sky.
- 31. Walk Overview A handout was created which offered a patient the opportunity to walk the Healing Garden and read a series of affirmations at each flower pot.
- 32. This intervention can be completed as a group or self-directed.
- 33. Walk Overview Frames on the screens were painted to add color.
- 34. More sunflowers on the poles.
- 35. Walk Overview
- 36. Concluding Remarks The Healing Garden project began in April 2009 and continues to evolve.
- 37. The garden is used on an ongoing basis for interventions.
- 38. Painting with patients on a psychiatric unit has challenges, however – this project was very rewarding.
- 39. Quotes From Participants “No one has ever taken the time to teach me to paint before!”
- 40. “I did not realize I had been sitting on the ground and painting for two hours, pain never entered my mind!”
- 41. Focusing on the project helped me to forget about my withdrawal symptoms for awhile.”
- 42. “I want to stay and see how it turns out.”
- 43. “This was fun!”
- 44. About the Artist Chris Drosdick is an Art Therapy Counselor at a community hospital in Akron, Ohio.
- 45. For further information about this project, contact [email_address] .
- 46. Chris is also the author of the book Healing Pieces, a book of thirty art therapy interventions designed to increase engagement in group therapy sessions.
- 47. Donations for future projects are being sought. Email for details.
- 48. In Appreciation Many thanks to the Women's Board of St. Thomas hospital for their generous donation of the furniture for the garden.
- 49. Additionally, we would like to thank the St. Mary's Women's Guild for their generous grant to purchase the perennial flowers and the paint for the mural.
- 50. Lastly, we would like to thank all of the participants for their efforts to complete the project.