» Prescott-Joseph Center – Programs … Art & Culture … HEARTs
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HEARTS – Healing Through
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Observations from the Director, Carmen Reyes-EdstromI have observed participants with no formal art training produce wonderful works of art. It is amazing to see the enthusiasm and care put into the planning and execution of each project. Some are expressing their voice in the language of line and color for the first time. Each project is a self portrait and a guide towards a road map. It has been my experience when working with the women that what they want most in life is not position, or earthly possessions. They say they want peace of mind, tranquility, to do something of value. Those with children want to show and lead by example. A mother with a teenage son is proud to be drug free and can now help her son who is doing drugs and wants to exit the scene. In her own words: "I can show him that it is possible not because I say it is. He can see that I am succeeding." This is not surprising since deep inside of all of us we want to connect with the good that we are. Participants are committed towards the completion of each project. We offer one three hour class per week. The students who can't make it because of things that are beyond their control asked to come on a Friday. I opened up Friday as a day for drop in and for help to those who want to talk about their problems. Fridays ended up being another class. The students don't want to go home because there is so much they want to learn and to read and to do. One participant had a job interview with the city and she was not going to make it to class. She arrived an hour late but happy because she made the decision to come to class instead of going home. She walked 5 miles to get to class because she did not have the money to take the bus. Most recently I have had the honor to witness miracles take place in the lives of most of the women who have taken my class. Miracles Three of the women are taking college prep courses and are leaders and house mothers, and another woman is preparing to pass her GED. I have women who had lost hope of ever seeing their children again who are now going to get their children back. There are other more personal victories but those are their stories. As for me each class I teach brings new challenges. Sometimes I wonder who is blessed more...the students or the teacher. It is my sincere belief that when the art spirit opens up in the individual...then there is nothing that can hold them back. They are like wild horses running free...free of addiction, of self doubts, of fear and self recriminations. This is when we see the miracles of rebirth. We acknowledge and are honored to be part of the healing process of these “angels with broken wings” and are privileged to work with SISTERS in this important work.
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