Many of the youth I currently work with are involved with the juvenile justice system in one way or another. I LOVED my time volunteering as the art therapist at Burnaby Youth Custody Centre in 2006-2008. It started with the “Friday Art Class,” then it turned into the “Friday Art Classes,” then “Monday, Wednesday, Friday” etc etc! My time there taught me so much of the healing power of art and that there are no bad kids, just bad decisions.
I had only one rule, as I have now, which is NO CENSORSHIP while in art therapy, and it really is a powerful rule. Allowing free expression fosters camaraderie. This quilt allowed rival gang members to work together on a powerful piece, and lots of respectful conversation and art making ensued. The result is quite lovely. Truly a lesson in the healing power of art.
The quilt then stayed in my art therapy room at an alternative school from 2008 to 2011. It truly contains all the tears and laughter from my time there. This is one very special piece! It holds so many stories.
For more custody art, go to: http://klasssockmonkey.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/custody-art-and-art-therapy-healingpowerofart-corrections/
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This quilt is sketched/painted/handsewn by youth in rival gangs at the Burnaby Youth Custody Centre 2006-2007, facilitated by Katarina Thorsen, art therapist.
"The visible stitch is the mark of the artist."
EACH ORDER SUPPORTS MY ART THERAPY WITH AT-RISK YOUTH AND INCLUDES A SMALL ORIGINAL 6B PENCIL SKETCH BY KATARINA AS WELL AS A LITTLE SURPRISE.
To read more about Katarina's sock creations, go to http://poststreet.wordpress.com/
To read more about Katarina's work with sock monkey/art therapy for at-risk youth go to http://klasssockmonkey.wordpress.com/
To read more about Katarina's art therapy and visual art, go to http://katthorsen.wordpress.com
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