Art For The Grieving Heart™

A welcoming event for those experiencing the pain and sorrow of loss, in a safe creative space where alternative healing can occur through art.

In January 2018, Park Memorial launched a unique monthly series of events focusing on grief expression through art therapy and informal conversation. It began somewhat serendipitously: Express your Heart Through Art Day happened to coincide with Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 31, 2018, so we decided to combine the two and host Art for the Grieving Heart, a grief support community event. We reached out to two organizations that would become long-term partners of the program: Box Social Events and The Art of Cake. Deanne Ferguson of Box Social led us through a beautiful crafting session where each guest created their own terrarium, including thoughtful little pieces and mementos that could be written on and inserted.

In the months that followed, these intimate events continued to grow and see capacity attendance each month. We are fortunate to have a group of local grief experts who have given their time to attend these events and facilitate the informal grief conversation that follows. Sometimes the conversation focuses on self-care… other times guests share how grief is affecting their daily lives and give and receive comfort and understanding to each other. It is a consistently safe, warm, and inviting space where people who have a basic commonality – even though every loss and every grief are vastly different – can connect and feel heard and understood.

What to Expect

These events are definitely more than an art class; the intention of these events is to bring those who are grieving together for an evening of connecting through creativity. All grieving hearts are welcome, no matter the loss being grieved. Whether your loss is due to the death of a loved one, the loss of a marriage or job, or the death of a pet, your grief is always welcome at our table.

The event flows as follows:

6:15pm Doors open, sweet treats and warm beverages (included in ticket price) served

6:30pm Welcome and introductions

6:40pm Crafting begins

7:25pm (approx) *Discussion begins

8:30pm Event draws to a close

*Please note that this is an informal, facilitated discussion; there is no 'curriculum' that we follow. Each event's craft activity is themed with its roots in grief, and that is generally the starting place for our grief facilitator to begin the discussion. From there, the conversation goes where the individuals and group need it to go to best serve their needs.

"I really find value in the other people who are sharing their stories, or their memories. Grief comes from so many different sources, lose of a job, death of a family member, death of a pet. It is just sharing those which makes stories which adds so much value and importance."

Karen Smith

"Great gathering place, good food, kind and caring people that facilitate and attend. Warm and welcoming atmosphere."

Meryl Wilson

"A moment of peace to revive in your own comfort with those around you who feel the pain for different reasons but still there. The event helps to unlock emotions you may hide day in and day out."

Jasmine Martin