Art therapy offered Sunday afternoons

Charleston's heart is broken, and area residents are struggling with feelings of grief, fear, anger and helplessness as they try to understand the senseless murders at Emanuel AME Church.

Although grief doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution, residents in communities with other traumatic events - Sandy Hook and Boston - tapped into their creative process to find help with their feelings and emotions.

A new initiative, launched by HEARTS MEND HEARTS with Charleston County Public Library, is offering similar support to local residents faced with feelings of stress, dread or grief prompted by the church shooting. 

Residents can work with experienced artists and mental health professionals during art-based sessions each Sunday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Charleston County's Main Library, 68 Calhoun Street. There is no age limit and no art experience is needed. Art materials are being provided for the free sessions. Free HEARTS MEND HEARTS sessions are Sundays 2:30 to 4pm until the end of December.

The goal is to help individuals use art as a tool to tap into their creativity, express feelings and ultimately work toward healing - all while in a safe environment.

The creative art process has been used for hundreds of years to help people identify emotions, encourage communication and promote healing. Understanding this connection, a group of local art therapists, educators, mental health professionals and artists joined together to create HEARTS MEND HEARTS in hopes of helping the Charleston community.

The professionals will lead attendees through the steps to create mandalas, an internationally recognized process that encourages individuals to identify personal emotions and reconcile conflicts.

HEARTS MEND HEARTS includes numerous art and mental health professionals, all volunteering their time. The organization was started by a small group that included: Registered Art Therapist Dianne Tennyson Vincent, MAT, ATR; Psychiatrist Deborah Milling, MD; Psychoanalyst Sharon Martin, FNP, CNS, PhD; and Nationally Board Certified Art Educator Laura De LaMaza.

If you have any questions about any of the upcoming events, 

feel free to contact the

Reference Department at 843-805-6930.

Main Library

68 Calhoun Street

Charleston, SC 29407

843-805-6930 www.ccpl.org

Mon-Thur 9-8, Fri-Sat 9-6,  Sun 2-5

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Calling All Artists! Calling All Artists!!!

St. Andrews Library TeenSpot

Art Showcase

 St. Andrews Library TeenSpot Art Showcase will include artwork submitted between Monday, April 1, 2013 and Saturday, April 27, 2013. No entries will be accepted after that date. Winner will be notified by Wednesday, May 6, 2013. The winning design will be on display in the Young Adult Department of the St. Andrews Regional Library until the end of the school year.

What types of artwork are eligible?

• Designs must include artwork on 8 1/2” X 11” paper.
• Designs must be the original work of the contestant.
• Designs could be in black and white or color.
• You may not use any copied images.
• Computer-generated images may be used, but all components must be completely original. Limit two (2) entries per contestant.

 

What are the awards?                                          

Prizes will be awarded for First Place, Second Place and Honorable Mention.

• First Prize: Assorted basket equaling the amount of $30
• Second Prize: Assorted basket equaling the amount of $20
• Honorable Mention: Assorted basket equaling the amount of $10

 

How will awards be determined?

• Entries will be judged by a panel of librarians, librarian assistants, and participants of The St. Andrews TeenSpot Ambassador Board.
•  Judging will take place the first week of May. Awards will be announced Monday, May 6, 2013. The decision of the judges is final.

 

 

Who can enter?

• Eligibility is limited to amateur artists ages 12-18 at time of submission.
• Contestant must live in the area where Charleston County Public Library services are rendered.

 

How must the designs be submitted?

• A hard copy of the design must be submitted to St. Andrews Regional Library (1735 North Woodmere Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407) by close of business Saturday, April 27, 2013.
• No electronically transmitted or mail-in entries will be accepted.
• Each entry must include a completed entry form attached with a paper clip and must be signed on reverse side, in case entry and entry form become separated.

 

For more information about the St. Andrews Library TeenSpot Art Showcase or an entry form

please contact Young Adult Librarian Assistant Patrice Smith at

smithp@ccpl.org or (843) 766-2546.

 

St. Andrews Regional Library

Charleston County Public Library

1735 North Woodmere Blvd

Charleston, SC 29407

843766-2546 www.ccpl.org