Description

This is a series of two workshops, led by an experienced art therapist, that engages a mixed-age group of veterans and their families in creating any kind of expressive art that evokes state of mind. The purpose of this art therapy program is to help veterans and their families explore their feelings, internal conflicts, reduce anxiety, manage behavior and addictions, manage stress, foster awareness, and improve self-esteem.

Audience

Art therapy programming can be targeted to youth or adults (separate events for children and for adults).

Cost

• The cost would be for the art therapist. The cost to the library would range from $110 to $120.00 fee for service for one 60 minute individual or family counseling session and $45.00 for one 60 minute group session. Prices may vary from state to state.  You can seek volunteer artists through your local art council.  
• Adult sessions:
  • Art kits for adults can be built into the speakers' fees by asking them to include them.  
  • You may want to also create grab and go supply kits for those who don't want to work on them at the therapy sessions. 
• Children's sessions:
  • If you provide regular children’s craft programs, use the art supplies you have on hand. Create grab-and-go kits for children with all the supplies they need to complete their project.  They can complete them at home and bring them in for display. 
• Utilize your Friends of the Library group to help pay for the program and/or art supplies. 

Timing 

Any time of the year would work and/or high-stress times like the holidays.

Suggested Duration

I would suggest a minimum of 2 - 60 minute programs for adults and 3 - 30 minute programs for youth.

Resources needed 

Art Therapists use various mediums in their art instruction.  They can use drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage techniques.  Programs utilizing pottery wheels for sculptured projects have also proven out to be a great therapeutic medium.  
Contact your local art council to find an instructor or to ask for a donation for art supplies. 
Other sites that can be useful: http://www.healvets.org 

Tips for Success

• Contact the art therapist to find out if there are any special tools, supplies, or settings they prefer to use. Some may prefer a quiet place and a limited number of attendees. I suggest offering this workshop as a series of at least two sessions so that attendees can use the first one to break the ice and feel more comfortable and more willing to share their feelings.
• You can offer in person sessions, grab-and-go kits, or both.
  • If you find that you are dealing with mostly veterans and wives, then I would suggest the in-person sessions.  
  • If you find that you are dealing with family issues that involve the children, you could hold special sessions for the children or provide grab and go kits with the therapists instructions. 
• Displaying art in the library is also possible.  Permission and subject matter of the artwork should be reviewed before displays are allowed. 

Assessment Ideas

Success would be evaluated by the number of attendees registered for the event and completed comments placed on an evaluation form that is planned and prepared in advance of the program.

Partners and Stakeholders

Local veterans organizations and the veteran’s agent. Contact your local art council and ask your Friends of the Library for funding.

Additional Resources/Bibliography

Kits made up of books, videos, and audiotapes suggested artwork and associated art materials would be helpful for those who wish to work alone on their own time. Create craft kits using supplies you already have as a “Grab and Go” offering which can be brought home, completed, and brought back for display. The directions should lead the children to create something that expresses how they feel about living with a veteran and other emotions.

Submitted by 

Lee Ann Amend, Sharon Public Library, Massachusetts

Creative Commons license