A Bold New World

Last week’s creative wellness workshops for staff at Rikers Island marked a true highlight in my 15 year career as an art therapist. Despite my best intentions, I came with my own defenses and biases that had been influenced by news headlines and former colleagues. I expected a cold, hardened, and heavily defended atmosphere where I would have to work hard to create a sense of safety for any kind of authentic creative expression to take place. And yet, I was humbled to see how quickly the correction officers, dietitians, mental health professionals, and maintenance staff in attendance embraced the opportunity to share who they were and what they cared about with their colleagues, some of whom they were meeting for the first time. Through creative warmup, art observation, writing, and art-making exercises, I was introduced to new mothers adjusting to ‘round the clock caretaking demands, proud clergy leaders devoted to their congregation, hardworking volunteers with at-risk youth in their communities, musicians, eager fiancés, and devoted pet “parents.” 

Collaging with mixed media inspired by a contemporary abstract artist allowed for further self expression and connection to one another, with self portraits, symbols of hope, and representations of life stage transitions emerging. There was a textured metallic wedding dress for a glowing bride-to-be, a vibrant crown made up of resilience and self love from a deeply grieving granddaughter, and a smiling robot hinting at how demanding and dehumanizing working within “the system” can feel. 

Pat Allen, art therapy pioneer and co-founder of the open studio process adapted for these workshops writes,  “Imagination is the deepest voice of the soul and can be heard clearly only through cultivation and careful attention. A relationship with our imagination is a relationship with our deepest self.” It was a true gift to be able to witness some of NYC’s boldest tap into and share a part of their inner worlds.

Post by Sharon Itkoff Nacache ATR-BC LCAT LPAT PMH-C