In Orbost, a small town in the East Gippsland area, CatholicCare Victoria’s Community Development Workers have been running a fortnightly Colour and Creativity workshop for nearly two years. Launched in response to the 2020 bushfires, the workshop is a part of our Bushfire Community Recovery Service, which provides mental health and wellbeing support to communities across East Gippsland.
Each Tuesday afternoon, community members gather together and explore their creative sides. Using traditional media such as acrylics and ink, participants are free to get creative and push the boundaries of their own artistic comfort zones.
Recently, the group experimented with using palette knives as their main tool. This wasn’t everybody’s preference, however it prompted a reflective discussion on the value of trying new things, and what that process teaches us about ourselves and each other. In art, as in many things, trying a new technique requires perseverance, and sharing the results takes vulnerability and courage. Madelaine, the workshop facilitator, reflects,
We all sometimes feel like hiding our art, but it was great to see them all sharing together and sharing kind words of praise and encouragement. What a great session of learning around self-acceptance and one pathway to personal growth and enrichment."
Sessions can also include periods of guided relaxation. Participants might spend time reflecting on the bushland surrounding the venue or picturing themselves walking barefoot through beautiful greenery.
Kim, a participant in Buchan, had a moment of great personal significance after one such session. Overcoming her usual reluctance to share her work, she proudly showed the group a beautiful painting of soft yet strong green with a splash of yellow peeping through like sunshine.
It is these moments of personal growth, creativity, reflection, and healing, which make the Bushfire Community Recovery Service Colour and Creativity workshops such a valuable blessing to the communities of East Gippsland.
Similar workshops also run in other East Gippsland towns like Bruthen and Swifts Creek.
Brent Grimes | Communications Officer