Healing Through Art: A Journey with Park Memorial's Grief Support Events
Embracing Grief, Finding Connection
Grief is a journey that knows no bounds, touching everyone in deeply personal ways. Understanding this, Park Memorial launched a unique series of monthly events in January 2018, aimed at providing a safe space for those navigating the pain and sorrow of loss. These events, which focus on grief expression through art therapy and informal conversation, have grown to become a cornerstone of support for our community.
The inception of this initiative was serendipitous. Our first event, ‘Express Your Heart Through Art Day’, coincided with Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 31, 2018. This perfect alignment inspired us to brand this event series
Art for the Grieving Heart, a community event integrating artistic expression and grief support. We partnered with two wonderful organizations, Box Social Events and The Art of Cake, setting the stage for a meaningful journey of healing.
The art project at our February 2025 event was creating beautiful dot mandalas on paperback journal books. Our focus was on 'repeating simple tasks with care' not only in the art project, but also as an approach to the overwhelming road of grief.
Deanne Ferguson of Box Social led our inaugural session, guiding guests through the creation of their own terrariums. Each terrarium was a unique blend of thoughtful pieces and mementos, personalized with messages and memories. This crafting session was more than just an art project; it was an intimate experience that allowed each participant to channel their grief into something tangible and beautiful.
From the very beginning, our events have been about meeting people where they are in their grief journey. We provide a safe and practical space where guests can sit together, share their experiences, and simply be with others who understand their pain. Each event has fostered connections among individuals united by a common experience, despite the unique nature of each person's loss.
As the months progressed, these intimate gatherings continued to flourish, with an increasing number of attendees each month. We have now welcomed over
200 individual guests to these monthly events! We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of local grief experts who generously give their time to facilitate the informal conversations that follow each art session. These discussions often center on self-care, daily challenges, and the ways grief impacts our lives. The comfort and understanding shared in these conversations have been invaluable to all who attend.
"The art projects allow me to gently access the pain of my grief" ~Doris, Event Guest
The pandemic brought a temporary halt to our gatherings, but we have since resumed our monthly events with a couple of changes. Our new location in our Park Memorial reception centre provides a welcoming environment, and Alexandra, our talented staff member, now leads our art projects as Deanne and her family relocated during the pandemic.
Alexandra's ability to create art projects that resonate with the journey of grief is truly remarkable. Her personal passion for using crafting to support her own grief journey shines through in every aspect of her art facilitation, from ensuring that we have a regular guest's favourite colours for every project that she creates (pink and purple remind him of his daughter who passed away) to ensuring that every detail and piece of her instruction is thought out completely.
The Art of Cake continues to delight us with their exquisite sweet treats, maintaining their long-standing partnership and support.
Park Memorial's grief support events are more than just a gathering; they are a beacon of hope and healing. By embracing the power of art and community, we are able to offer solace and connection to those who need it most. We invite you to join us and witness the transformative power of shared grief and creative expression.
Click
here to access our coming events page and follow the upcoming dates for
Art for the Grieving Heart and our other grief support events.
