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Soles remembering souls

September 8th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Soles remembering souls)

Nanaimo hip hop artist SirReal will rap about loss this Sunday September 11th as he pays tribute to his brother, Nick

The subject of suicide is no longer something that people keep hidden in the dark, ashamed to talk about. There are many conversations going on and people are learning to reach out to others and to look for help themselves. Suicide is now a topic that people want to know more about, from learning how to recognize the signs of suicidal behaviour in others to learning about how to help. (more…)

The history of the Arctic is retold, from an Inuit perspective, and the project creates interest at an international conference

A University of British Columbia research study was presented at a recent international conference in Shanghai, China. Fourth year sociology student April Dutheil shared her experiences with the Nanisiniq Arviat History Project at the Universitas 21 undergraduate conference—hosted by an international network of 23 research-intensive universities.

The archival project began after a UBC social work professor was approached by Inuit elders from Arviat, Nunavut, who asked for help in passing on their experiences to a younger generation. A plan grew to document the experience and history of colonization—from the Inuit point of view. (more…)

A patient-built wall in Toronto stands as a monument and an emotional manuscript, and stars in a play

In 1860, patients at an Ontario psychiatric hospital helped to build a brick wall that would conceal them and their lives from the surrounding world for more than one hundred years. The wall still exists as both a monument and emotional manuscript to the lives lived at what then was called an ‘asylum’. This week, during Toronto Mad Pride, The Friendly Spike Theatre Band performs “The Walls are Alive” at the outdoor site of the patient-built wall. (more…)

Unique, soul-stirring, entrancing

July 14th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Unique, soul-stirring, entrancing)

Eric Harper’s musical journey began in Portugal, continued in Europe and L.A. and then led to Vancouver Island

Award-winning musician and performer Eric Harper’s musical education began in Portugal and then continued in Europe and the U.S. He has performed all over the world in many countries including Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, France, China, Israel, the U.S. and Canada. He recently appeared at a fundraiser for the nonprofit Columbian Centre Society, joining several other performers in support of programs for people experiencing mental illness. (more…)

The enjoyment of ‘doing art’

July 7th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on The enjoyment of ‘doing art’)

Anne Turner’s journey with art continues, as she opens a show at Studio 366 and turns herself ‘inside out’

Anne Turner became involved with art therapy in 2003 at Other Hand Studio in Parksville, B.C. Anne is an artist because she says she enjoys “doing art.” But Anne also uses art to help her combat severe anxiety and depression. Over the years she has moved from collages to painting with oils to chalk pastel work. She’s just launched a show of her work at Studio 366 in Nanaimo. (more…)

Using art to express and heal yourself

July 7th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Using art to express and heal yourself)

Mehdi Naïmi says that good art therapy empowers people, strengthens relationships, brings peace of heart, and joy to life

Long before there was “art therapy,“ artists explained themselves with their inner images as references to reality [Wikipedia]. Now considered a mental health discipline, art therapy combines the creative process and psychotherapy, facilitating self-exploration and understanding. Using imagery, colour, and shape as part of this creative therapeutic process, thoughts and feelings may be expressed that would otherwise be difficult to articulate. (more…)