A Window Between Worlds - Art as a Healing Tool

Cultural Competency—A Holistic Approach

September 30, 2006

Healing Hearts: In one of the projects at Arctic Women in Crisis, participants were asked to paint a series of hearts that would depict their journey from childhood to adulthood: the first heart, depicted how their heart felt as a child; the second showed how their heart feels when going through the struggles of domestic abuse; and the third showed how they wanted their hearts to feel in the future.

Windows at Arctic Women in Crisis

Art has become a valuable part of the holistic approach to cultural competency at Arctic Women in Crisis as they integrate traditional Inupiaq values into their programs.

Windows leaders Ginny Walsh and Barbara Lippe share, "Historically, many of AWIC's clients have been suspicious of the Western style group format which mainly utilizes talk therapy; some clients state that they are shy, worry about revealing too much of their personal history, or simply can't find the words to describe their experience.

After one of the art projects the clients shared 'Art in our culture is a way of expressing ourselves... The things we do let me express how I'm really feeling inside. It's easier for me to express how I feel through my art than it is sitting around and talking.' Another participant stated that, 'This art actually showed me my life before and after and how I can change.'"

Ginny and Barbara also find that the art also helps the children relax and engage. "Children who have been traumatized often find it hard to express their feelings. But something as simple as drawing a picture can begin the healing."

Click here for full details in AWIC's newsletter:

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