The first took place in Farmingdale NY [on 12/22/2009], at a unique store called Fancy Free. In truth describing Fancy Free simply as a store is doing it an injustice - while there is a lovely store front that sells hand made crafts and accessories, there is also a classroom area in the back as well as a kitchen and office area. In the classroom area is where I met with my first art therapy group. Fancy Free functions as a boutique, on a main strip in Farmingdale, yet it is not a typical boutique; the proceeds of the merchandise, as well as art work created by the mentally retarded adults who attend the art therapy group, go to FREE, to support its programs, including art therapy, and its clients (or consumers). There has been a great deal of success in terms of selling the work created by the art therapy clients, in fact 14 of 17 paintings/drawings were purchased, as well as the majority of the hand painted wine glasses and votive candles.
For sometime before my arrival, Ed and Lauren (Ed attends the sessions at fancy free) have had the clients painting wine glasses and votive candles for the purpose of production - while this may not seem like a therapeutic session, it does in fact serve as an exercise that gears the consumers to build self worth in a progressive manner, as well as life skills. The group members have been painting holiday orient themes as of late. These include Christmas, Hanukkah, and most recently the new year. In this session we pushed the clients to begin producing for the next holiday, Valentines Day.
I was amazed to see just how high functioning the group was (having been told they were "high functioning" prior to meeting). I have personal experience with mental retardation, and I believe I generalized the diagnosis of MRDD based on my singular knowledge of it. --> Lesson #1: There are varying levels of mental retardation - not one person classified as MRDD is the same. Lesson # 2: Not one person in each classified level ("High Functioning" "Intermediate" or "Low Functioning") is the same or will behave the same.
I was somewhat nervous when I the group first began to filter in. Lauren introduced me to some of the clients individually as they came to say hello, and they hesitantly replied, all the while looking me over with the question I can only assume - 'Can I trust her?'. Yet as we began the group, and after a brief introduction by Lauren my presence as a new person nearly disappeared. All clients, with only one exception - an elderly woman whom I had observed sitting idle for some time - were open to, even eager to have my help and opinion. I approached the idle woman and asked if she needed material. She responded quietly, "I think I am Okay.". I prompted her again, and this time she stated that she would wait for Lauren or Ed. Not wanting to push anything on her I said that was alright and continued on my way around the room.
I was so glad to see how happy everyone was in their creative process. Each consumer was wiling to show her sketches, and hoping for feedback - and once feedback was given they ungrudgingly made suggested changes.
The end of the session gave me a small insight into how quickly the atmosphere can change. When Lauren and Ed attempted to sum up the session by using two clients' pieces as examples of "production like work" to strive for, an argument as to whose were the best broke out between two clients. Lauren and Ed allowed it to go on for a short moment - as the argument was a misunderstanding - and 1 sided. The second party was trying to explain the differences in the pieces. In pointing these differences, out she meant to compliment her fellow client, who inadvertently took it as a negative comment. The consumer was unabel to communicate her thoughts which lead to an argument, and therefor Ed and Lauren stepped in, ending the session by asking each group member to strive to create work that was on that level.
I thanked the group members for allowing me to help out and for trusting me enough to be there.
Reflections:
I believe that when I began I may have been using my teacher, or little kid voice (speaking as if I was speaking to a child or student). This is something I noticed and reprimanded myself for. I do not want to treat any of the clients any different (in terms of tone and demeanor etc) than you or me. I am not sure if it went unnoticed by the clients but it will be something I keep an eye on throughout as I believe it may be a pesky tendency of mine.
I must have noticed it through my observation of both Ed and Lauren who spoke with the clients much like they would speak to me or others. That is very important I think, in terms of forming a solid connection and tapping into a therapeutic notch.
I was truly happy - I felt great fulfillment and am eager to meet with this group next week.
Please check out this article that give a brief explanation of Fancy Free
http://www.newsday.com/business/nonprofit-opens-farmingdale-store-to-train-disabled-1.1233809
Art-ing about it :)
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