Hi, it's Carrie at Easel & Wheel :)
As we open our creative space, I'm stoked about some of our more irreverent workshops, like Build-a-Bong or the Boozy Field Trips. I'm excited to let loose and have a good time in my new favorite art hangout.
But as I load these programs into the catalog, I'm reminded of why I decided to start my own formal program: It's been firsthand discovery that creative practice can insulate us from traumatic experiences, and help to maintain/regain a sense of stasis.
We offer a unique course series composed from my graduate thesis and years of diligent scientific research and discovery. I want to celebrate what a creative practice has done for my own healing journey by sharing it with the community.
I'm excited about our Identity Rebuilding Workshop. Meeting every Sunday, this series can help you or a loved one to cope, grow and heal after traumatic experiences through an art practice. It's a creative journey to finding yourself again after being gutted by trauma.
I conducted my study through the lens of A/r/tography (artist/researcher/teacher/autography). This qualitative form of research explores intersections of our plural identities, our human layers, the many roles we have and hats we wear as "ME." The primary data collected included two decades of artwork I made throughout my experience with intimate partner violence (IPV). My art was analyzed to gain understanding about how creative practice is essential for solace, escape, emotional expression, and narrative power. My research indicated the need for art to be of priority consideration as a source for those struggling to find stasis in situations of abuse.
Scholars of domestic violence, personal transformation after domestic violence, and art education/self-actualization agree that creating/discussing art can more comfortably explore emotions and create a sense of identity, so decimated by abuse (Hayes et al, 2023; Matheson et al, 2015; Mernick 2022; Heise & Kay, 2021).
Identity work is a highly critical aspect of the abuse survivor’s positive transformation. Self-awareness and being aware of others is an important component to dealing with interpersonal violence. (Hayes & Jeffries, 2015). Through art, survivors can develop an authentic voice and owned narrative within themselves, which is crucial to high functioning post-abuse and strengthening as a political group to improve social conditions surrounding their recovery.
And while my autoethnographic focus was IPV, these principles and methods equally apply to the many forms of trauma. Art has an intrinsic power that can be learned in a self-driven practice, especially after applying the principles and knowledge gleaned from this workshop series.
I hope that as many people take advantage of this series as possible - if you don't need it, please consider purchasing the program as a gift to someone who does. This could be either gifting to a loved one on your behalf, or purchasing a sponsorship for someone Easel & Wheel Art Space nominates from the community.
Hugs,
Carrie Armstrong, BFA, MA
Creative Director
Sources:
- Armstrong, C. (2023). Whispering screams: Authoethnography and art making's role in women's growth and recovery from IPV. [Masters thesis, University of Florida].•https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/AA/00/09/37/20/00001/Armstrong_Carrie.pdf
- Hayes, S., & Jeffries, S. (2015). Romantic terrorism: An auto-ethnography of domestic violence, victimization and survival. [Ebook.] Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137468449.0007
- Heise, D. & McKay, L. (2021). Trauma-informed art education: Caring for learners and each other. National Art Education Association (4, August). https://tyler.temple.edu/sites/tyler/files/Translations4_Trauma-informed%20Art%20Education.pdf
- Matheson, F.I., Daoud, N., Hamilton-Wright, S., Borenstein, H., Pedersen, C., & O’Campo, P. (2015). Where did she go? The transformation of self-esteem, self-identity, and mental well-being among women who have experienced intimate partner violence. Women’s Health Issues, 25(5), 561-569.
- Mernick, A.M. (2021) Critical arts pedagogy: Nurturing critical consciousness & self-actualization through art education (pt.1). Art Education Journal, 74(5), 19-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/00043125.2021.1928468
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