Creative Arts Program
Creative arts as companion therapy
The Creative Arts Program was founded in 1997 by Mary Louise O'Connor, a Dana-Farber patient. Creative arts therapies include art, dance/movement, drama, music, humor, writing, and poetry. These approaches encourage and support the exploration of the personal creative process. Most importantly, by using or being exposed to the creative arts, we can discover different ways to be in this present moment, as we imagine and create our future.
The creative arts are gentle therapies that are especially helpful during difficult times, when one might feel overwhelmed with diagnoses and treatment plans. It is good to be in a place where there is no confrontation, labeling, or definition in order to find a quiet and healing space inside.
The Creative Arts Specialist, Jessica Case, facilitates artwork with patients, family members, caregivers, and staff three days a week in the Arts Studio, located in the Blum Resource Center in the Dana building lobby. The studio is open five days a week in accordance with the Resource Center's hours of operation. Individuals who are interested may do art on their own in the art room or work with an art student intern when available. Individuals are encouraged to call ahead if assistance or guidance in the art room is desired.
Throughout the year, guest artists offer workshops in jewelry making, knitting, collage, landscape painting, mono-printing, and other artistic mediums to patients, family members, caregivers, and staff. (Pre-registration is suggested for workshops.) Materials are provided free of charge, and no artistic experience is necessary. Just bring an open mind and heart.
"Vital to life as Breath
is what we think, feel, dream and make.Discovering and expressing
What images and idea appeal to us
is a path to our own deeper worlds, and
connection to what inspires the human spirit.It is very important to be inspired
especially now."- M. L. O'Connor, Ph.D
Patient and Founder
