Rising from the Ashes, a Storytelling and Healing Space designed to help the community to recover and to heal following the summer bushfires, will open in Milton on Saturday.
People can share their stories, verbally or creatively through writing and other free art- based workshops, including, photography, pottery, mosaics, music or even cupcake decorating at the healing space in Wason Street Milton over the next 12 months.
Project manager Vivienne Benson-Hodge says trauma can shatter our sense of security, our attachment to others and can disconnect our feeling of hope in the world.
“Telling our stories in our own way, in our own time, revisiting the sights, sounds and memories of our trauma can help us reclaim our lost selves,” she said.
“Some people have already started sharing their stories with us and are keen to book in for a workshop.
“We have been greatly supported by other health and wellbeing practitioners, already working in a similar vein with people, who have been feeling the aftermath affects of the bushfires or feeling isolated by the effects of Covid 19.
“We are keen to hear from other local artists, who may be able to offer a workshop in their area of expertise.”
Vivienne says all in the area are invited to this space, by either engaging in the storytelling as participants, or by artists creating in any medium or craft, offering to conduct a workshop.
Workshops are free to participants and we will fund the cost of required materials as necessary.
Some of the early workshops commencing in November/December that will be advertised on the group’s Facebook page include: Cupcake decorating for Christmas for adults and children’s craft sessions, by Trish Tompkin and Gentle Movement Dancing plus African Drumming by Desire, Layered drawing using charcoal and Ink by local artist, Julie Sydenham.
Workshops and items of interest will soon be also available on the website www.shoalhavenrisingfromtheashes.com
Photo Katrina Condie