Thursday, October 16, 2014

Introducing....Healing Arts of Maine!

Hey there folks!  Thank you for sticking with me, even though I haven't posted in what seems like ages!  I cannot tell if I'm crazy, stupid, a glutton for punishment, or all of the above! But a major reason for my hiatus has been a project that is VERY near and dear to my heart...


If you've been reading along for a while, many of you may know my story.  For those who don't, here are 3 posts about "art therapy" that will help clue ya in.  Art therapy is what this newest venture focuses on.  It has been a dream of mine since I first discovered ceramics in 2011 to share the wonderful healing properties that creating art can have.  I wanted to share this phenomena with the rest of the world; in particular those who I personally felt could benefit the most from it.  

So back in August, I finally had a fire lit under my @$$ and got to work!  Healing Arts of Maine was established.  Effective August 26, 2014; Healing Arts of Maine because a non profit project under the financial sponsorship of Fractured Atlas.  I can hear those wheels turning now, and you asking yourself, "What the heck is Healing Arts of Maine???"  Well, allow me to tell you! 

The ultimate goal of Healing Arts of Maine (abbreviated as HAoM from here forward) is to provide a safe environment for Veterans and/or active duty military, first responders, disabled adults and children, and survivors of abuse/trauma, who are looking for alternative methods of coping and healing their physical/emotional scars.  The simple act of creating is cathartic, therapeutic, and healing.  We will be offering classes in watercolor painting, various music classes from theory to voice and instrumental instruction, hand-building in ceramics, sculpture, throwing on the pottery wheel, drawing, mixed media and collage, and soooo much more. Both individual and group music therapy sessions facilitated by a Board Certified Music Therapist will also be available.  Classes will be designated as CAT (creative art therapy) sessions, or art classes intended on helping you heal through the act of creating. Both are aimed to help the individual find their own path towards healing.

At this juncture HAoM is an idea, a dream.  I have been working on obtaining donations for our first fundraiser (an online auction that will run 1-30 November 2014), sending out sponsorship request letters, and getting more details finalized.  The hope is to raise enough fund by spring 2015 to be able to purchase property and begin to build the physical facility in the greater Bangor, Maine area.  When we do finally obtain property, another fund raising event will be an Empty Plates Benefit Dinner which will coincide with ground breaking ceremony on or around 4 July 2015.

So this is why I've been neglecting my blog.  But I think things are starting to calm down a tad...I won't bore you with details now.  But if you want to follow the progress, you can stay up to date on the Facebook Page.  If each one of you could help by spreading the word, I have no doubt that together, we can make my dream a reality.  Not just for me, but for the 20,000 people in the greater Bangor area who would benefit from the services that will be included.


The ultimate goal of Healing Arts of Maine is to provide a safe environment for veterans, disabled people, and survivors of trauma/abuse who are looking for alternative methods of coping and healing their physical and emotional scars. The simple act of creating is therapeutic, cathartic, and healing. - See more at: http://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=11205#sthash.P8uQmage.dpuf
The ultimate goal of Healing Arts of Maine is to provide a safe environment for veterans, disabled people, and survivors of trauma/abuse who are looking for alternative methods of coping and healing their physical and emotional scars. The simple act of creating is therapeutic, cathartic, and healing. - See more at: http://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=11205#sthash.P8uQmage.dpuf
The ultimate goal of Healing Arts of Maine is to provide a safe environment for veterans, disabled people, and survivors of trauma/abuse who are looking for alternative methods of coping and healing their physical and emotional scars. The simple act of creating is therapeutic, cathartic, and healing. - See more at: http://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=11205#sthash.P8uQmage.dpuf

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