Fostering Creativity is a free therapeutic arts program for youth ages 5-21 affected by foster care in Genesee & Oakland Counties and youth who are involved, or at risk of being involved, in the juvenile justice system in Wayne County.
Operating as usual
Flint native Pharlon Randle Celebrates 15 Years of Studio on the Go
For over a decade, Pharlon Randle spent his days transporting students and his nights producing albums. His two worlds collided when he got a call from a friend in 2006.
We are in our 3rd week of our Theatre for Life! group in Flint and the kids are thriving and love playing Zip, Zap, Zog with Mr. Andrew! Here are some photos of them creating their superheros and villains right after they wrote their narratives and stories.
Spring is here! Enjoy this paper buttferfly activity š¦
https://kinderart.com/art-lessons/crafts/paper-butterflies/
by Andrea Mulder-Slater Summary: Butterflies are flying insects that begin their lives as caterpillars. They have two sets of large scaly wings, three body parts, six jointed legs and a pair of antennae. Using paper, children (and adults) can create simple folded paper butterflies which can flutter....
Today in our Grief and Loss group, the kids made strength sticks with miss Maragret.They used branches of various sizes, yarn, string, ribbon, feathers, beads, scissors and tacky glue to make this project.
The goal is to identify and represent personal strengths. They used the different colors of yarn or types of beads, etc. to represent these qualities about themselves. A group discussion took place at the end to share what each individual made.
Today in our Grief and Loss group, the kids made strength sticks with miss Maragret.They used branches of various sizes, yarn, string, ribbon, feathers, beads, scissors and tacky glue to make this project.
The goal is to identify and represent personal strengths. They used the different colors of yarn or types of beads, etc. to represent these qualities about themselves. A group discussion took place at the end to share what each individual made.
Our youth in Detroit have begun our Grief and Loss group with Margaret Sands-Goldstein, ATR.
Youth worked on collage this Saturday to help express themselves and tell their personal stories with the group. They reflected on their past, current life and future to summarize their thoughts and emotions. Textures and images were used to symbolize events and feelings. Articles about grief and loss were also provided along with cutt out words to add to their collage.The topic was: How it was, How it is and How it should be.
Our youth in Detroit have begun our Grief and Loss group with Margaret Sands-Goldstein, ATR.
Youth worked on collage this Saturday to help express themselves and tell their personal stories with the group. They reflected on their past, current life and future to summarize their thoughts and emotions. Textures and images were used to symbolize events and feelings. Articles about grief and loss were also provided along with cutt out words to add to their collage.The topic was: How it was, How it is and How it should be.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! š Here is a clover craft to try with your kiddiesš
https://kinderart.com/art-lessons/painting/clover-or-shamrock-color-mixing/
Children will review color mixing as they create drawings and paintings of clover (or shamrocks).
Here is another example of mask making in art therapy at our Detroit location over the weekend. This example represents what the individual shows everyone on the outside vs. What is hidden from the world on the inside.
Our youth in Flint are at it again! They are averaging one song per group- which is AWESOME. They're lyrical naturals! They are writing about "Style" this time around. Here is their beat š
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P9BaMpT7hYWavqkLPtD18xVrAhqwcf5g/view
Our youth in Detroit have started art therapy group with Angie Bolton, ATR, LPC. Her group explores a variety of art mediums for stress relief & relaxation while expressing socioemotional components. Below is a collage that was done in group titled "Safe Space".
Our youth in Detroit have started art therapy group with Angie Bolton, ATR, LPC. Her group explores a variety of art mediums for stress relief & relaxation while expressing socioemotional components. Below is a collage that was done in group titled "Safe Space".
Check out this article, written about Bangtown 'Studio on the Go' ! Our kids are currently participating in this group and are loving it.
https://www.wbur.org/npr/140716703/studio-on-the-go-a-creative-outlet-for-kids
A program based out of Flint, Mich., teaches kids the fundamentals of songwriting and music production. The songs they write, however, are not your typical bubble-gum pop.
Here's some motivation to help you get through the week. Its almost Friday!
Our youth have been working enthusiastically to create music during the Bangtown Productions and Recordings music group. Click on the link below to listen to the beat!
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2Ffile%2Fd%2F1nUMotjodTc7K_Vw-nhu8RtPZth8CV4nt%2Fview%3Fusp%3Dsharing%26fbclid%3DIwAR0XxkjlY6mFKe5cmXKOU529Gg-4pEKtuY4WMbH29bXC2m0VGF-D3k0MVts&h=AT2OF97KpFJ7pYnilCf5STwDGGtSwCbsEaH_1xr1ZDArSausyuh9abfA4NrptgLuuFlA79qgWgsJu9YXPln2SJMyWpl0OT0VD_Bktl0nqQmL-GbGVxWgaJjMvFsBFCQZW8Iakw
Timeline Photos
Finally get to share the cover of my first childrenās book!! I wrote āChange Singsā as a childrenās anthem to remind young readers that they have the power to shape the world. The poem is illustrated by the incredible @thelorenlong , the artist behind Barack Obamaās childrenās book Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to my Daughters, and I could not be more humbled by the beauty he brought to my words. It will be released by @vikingbooks @penguinrandomhouse this September.
ššæšPre-order it at the link in bio to be the first to own it!šš
P.S.
I felt strongly that the book should come out in 2021, when children would be facing the results of the 2020 election and whatever those would be, I wanted them to know they were the leaders of the future. I had no idea that around the same time I myself would be named the youngest inaugural poet at that time! So I am too learning and living the lesson of āChange Singsā āŗļø
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/634480/change-sings-by-amanda-gorman-illustrated-by-loren-long/?ref=PRHB67C865468&aid=48842&linkid=PRHB67C865468
5 minutes a day
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5 minutes a day
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day is coming up quick! You can download this free #dreambigMLK activity at the link below.
https://kinderart.com/blog/dream-big-mlk/
Learn how you and your child can make Wish Tags to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. In partnership with Education.com.
This technique is used to clear your mind, focus on your breath and find your center.
https://christabrennan.wordpress.com/2013/12/28/art-therpay-directives-using-finger-labyrinths/
Labyrinths have been used to aid in worship and mediation since the Middle Ages. A labyrinth is different than a maze in that there is one path that leads right to the center, no dead ends, no mislā¦
Fostering Creativity has kicked off its first group of the year with Studio-on-the-Go, Bangtown Productions & Recordings. It's great to have you back working with our kids, Mr. Pharlon!
During Studio-on-the-Go, participants will compose music: creating beats (electronically), writing personal song lyrics, and recording and editing their creations. Participants will work independently and collectively, gaining skills in community & relationship building, conflict resolution, leadership, and literacy. The authentic sharing of personal ideas and feelings requires a safe space which is facilitated with the help of the group facilitator and support staff. This environment offers participants the opportunity to shine, sharing their internal worlds and talents via music creation. At the end of the year, participants will receive a completed full-length CD of their individual and group efforts.
Check out their website at https://bangtown.org/studio-on-the-go
At Bangtown Productions & Recordings, we believe children are the future. Thatās why, through our nonprofit organization Studio On The Go, weāre on a mission to empower the next generation of artists and creators. We help kids discover the fun of writing, recording and producing their own music.
You are brilliant and beautiful
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Sometimes we get self care and maintenance/spending money confused with each other. Here are a few examples of diagrams to remind us of what self care looks like.
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Forgiveness boxes are a great way to release negative emotions that you no longer wish to harbor & help you work towards a place of forgiveness.This box can be specific to yourself or another individual. Find a small box and decorate it with your choosing of images, words, sensory objects - its up to you. Maybe write a note, happy memories or the persons name and keep it in the box.
Making a collage can be a relaxing way to de-stress. This exercise highlights the proximity between creation and destruction while encouraging the individual to take risks and to creatively push themselves.
Remember that it is okay to set boundaries š #selflove #Respect #arttherapy #boundaries
Puppetry in art therapy can aid in the emotional healing of the client by combining verbal and non-verbal modes of expression. The therapist can observe the interaction between the puppets and the clientās response to the puppetry. Puppets can help express feelings or thoughts that may be hidden or repressed. There can be many roles the puppet plays, narratives and themes that can be brought out through play. This information along with other important aspects of the clients history can be used to aid in psychological assessment.
The holidays can be stressful. This is for someone who needs to hear it ā¤ stay strong.
Self-portraits are often used in art therapy and within our art therapy groups here at Ennis. Below is a short excerpt from a paper on this topic. This excerpt sums up the self-portraiture project/directive pretty well.
"Self-portraiture can be a means of self-reflection and accepting the self. Art therapists can be informed of the benefits and drawbacks of recreating the self by examining the art of artists who experienced melancholy and depression... Self-portraiture is an introspective tool that can be beneficial with many client populations." - Simone Alter Muri, Ed. D.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197455607000482
Check out what Fostering Creativity has been up to this year....
Special thanks to our funders MCACA, Flint ReCast, and CCMO.
https://animoto.com/play/QJ4fvs7SMQaqEuIuycxZDQ
Animoto makes video creation easy! Animoto's video maker turns your photos and video clips into professional videos in minutes. Fast and shockingly simple!
"In art therapy, dolls are used for healing as symbolic vessels and transitional objects. Dolls create a holding space for an individualās emotions, as well as a tangible item to enact fantasies. Clients can project their thoughts onto the doll and share them with the art therapist during sessions. Having a doll as a metaphor to talk through makes it easier to share oneās innermost thoughts and feelings." - Ceara Genovesi
You can read the rest of this blog at https://arttherapyblog.sva.edu/?p=3052
Below are some examples that were made here at Ennis Center.
Found poetry allows us an opportunity to tell stories about our life, what we know, and what is important to us. Working through the process can help us understand ourselves better and give our experiences meaning. Sharing those stories with other people let's us see ourselves and those other people in new ways. Participants in our found poetry groups use images, words, sounds, and objects to tell and share their stories. An example is pictured below.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/skinny-revisited/201805/self-care-101
10 ways to take better care of you
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"The term "art therapy" was coined in 1942 by British artist Adrian Hill..."
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/art-therapy
In art therapy, the creative process may facilitate self-awareness and personal growth or assist individuals as they address areas of difficulty or concern.
Does anybody have any questions for our Fostering Creativity team?
129 E. Third St.
Flint, MI
48502
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This therapeutic arts program addresses emotional issues/concerns experienced by children as a result of complex trauma, including circumstances which led to their removal from their birth parents or primary caregivers.
Fostering Creativity started at Ennis Centerās Flint location in 2014 and expanded to Ennis Centerās locations in Pontiac (2017) and Detroit (2019). The program is designed to support youth ages 5-21 in out-of-home placement/foster care (Flint and Pontiac) and youth who are involved, or are at risk of being involved, in the juvenile justice system (Detroit) through therapeutic arts programming and art therapy.
This grant-funded program would not be possible without the generous support of the following foundations: Ruth Mott Foundation, Hagerman Foundation, Flinn Foundation, Flint ReCAST, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Child Welfare Society of Flint, and Ticket to Dream.
Ennis Center for Children has offered an array of services to meet the needs of foster children and their families since its beginning. To date, Ennis Center provides foster care, adoption, and related support services to more than 6,000 children and families annually.
Genesee County Health Department
630 S Saginaw St Ste 4Genesee County Friend of the Court
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619 Wallenberg StCommunity Foundation of Greater Flint
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Genesee County Community Action Resource Depa
601 N Saginaw St Ste 1B
Community Foundation of Greater Flint
500 S Saginaw Street, Suite 200
Flint Jewish Federation Official Site
619 Wallenberg St
Genesee County Health Department
630 S Saginaw St Ste 4
Genesee County Friend of the Court
630 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 2500
Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry
414 W. Court Street