Story Portrait Workshop: Using art for healing in grief

Join other families in a special Sunday afternoon grief workshop. The afternoon will be facilitated by community artist/author Laurie Phillips, assisted by Children’s staff. During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to select images from art bins and combine them with their own words to express their grief journey — thus creating their personal Story Portrait. There is no right or wrong way to participate in this activity. Artist Laurie Phillips will gently guide the workshop using question prompts. She describes creating a story portrait as similar to creating a collage. This process has been used in the past to help individuals affected by trauma and grief find healing. It has helped families feel safe in sharing their individual stories of grief with each other and with their support network. And, it has helped to make difficult subject matter — like death and grief — more approachable, creating space for understanding and meaningful conversation.

The workshop is open to bereaved parents and bereaved families.

Parents may come alone, or can invite their family members to join them.
Children kindergarten age and older, grandparents, and other close adult family members welcomed to the workshop. The workshop will be adapted to all age levels.
Attending children will separate from their parents into age-appropriate groups for the workshop portion. Near the end of the event, families will rejoin for a special candle-lighting ceremony in honor of the children who have died.

Free childcare is available to children ages 18 months through preschool age. Families with babies younger than 18 months will need to arrange for private childcare. All art materials will be provided. Attendees do not need to have experience or ability in the area of art to participate. There is no fee to attend this
workshop.

RSVP requested

RSVP requested is requested for this event by Jan. 16, 2019, to Bereavement Services at 612-813-7216 or [email protected].

Note: When registering for this event, please list the individuals planning to attend and their relationship to the child who has died. If children are attending, please also list their ages.