A new art exhibition, Holding Space, featuring the work of several local parents, is due to take place at Walcot Chapel in Bath in September.
Holding Space is designed to demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of allowing time in our lives to think and feel on our mental wellbeing. All of the work on display has been created by artists who met on the Art Therapy Foundation course at Bath College.
Among the artists taking part is mother of two, Alicia, who explained, “As a parent, Holding Space has made a significant difference in multiple ways. Just having carved out time to create and process thoughts and concerns has freed up my mind and my art. I am finding myself more able to be fully present with my children and consequently less reactive when problems arise. Both my children have noticed the difference it has had in me, and they too have started to explore the power of the ‘image’ and have become freer in expressing themselves through art, which feels such a blessing.
“More than that, I feel having studied art therapy at a foundation level I have begun to recognise and acknowledge ‘stuff’ about patterns of behaviour established from childhood. This has been hugely empowering to my life, having experienced the trauma of divorce as a child I feel I am only now appreciating the effect on my own behaviour and personality. Once these patterns can start to be acknowledged, it is amazing what healing can be allowed to happen.”
“We hope by sharing our stories we can create a platform for other parents and their children to experience some of the benefits that art can bring at a therapeutic level, and in doing so raise funds and awareness for the Bath based charity Creativity Works.”
Holding Space takes place at Walcot Chapel, Walcot Street, Bath, from Wednesday 25-28 September, 10am-6pm.
For more details, go to holdingspace.space