The  Light of The Heart: A Community Art Therapy Project has partnered with Triple Threat Mentoring to provide East Aurora High School students the opportunity to express themselves and build community through art making. The students created
with a theme of superheroes, exploring personal superhero characters through painting, collage, and three-dimensional mask-making. The students’ creations will be showcased in a special exhibit called: A Journey of Undiscovered Heroes at the Aurora Public Library, 1 E. ...Benton Street, with an opening reception on Wednesday, November 20th, from 4:00pm-5:00pm. 

The students joined the program with an interest in art and a desire to express themselves creatively. Through this program, they have gained insight, perspective, and a safe place to explore new talents.  They are proud to share their work with the community of Aurora, and hope they will inspire others to pursue their dreams and passions.  A Journey of Undiscovered Heroes will be on display through the end of the year, stop by to be inspired.

Thank you to the AMAZING Art Jam Committee: Angela Hedlund, Chair,
Julienne Reid Stickney, Mike Kletz, April Hedlund, Briana Colton, Carla
DePalma and Melissa Hedlund for pulling off an amazing event!

A special thank you to FUE, Andrea Dawn,
Left Hand Signal, Chris from Dots & Splashes, Javi Terrazas,
Portrait Artist-Extraordinaire, and Olivia Leonardi from OHENNA.

'We have partnered with our friends at Triple Threat Mentoring to provide an art therapy program for adolescents from East Aurora High School. The goal of the program is for the teens to unleash their inner 'superhero powers.' The group meets weekly  for two hours each week and starts with time to write or draw in their personal
journals. We then use open discussion and various art materials to explore what the teens think makes a superhero great, and how they see these qualities in themselves and other people.  Ultimately, we want them to see their inner power, the light of their heart, and use it to create their own superhero self.  We will conclude with an exhibit in the community featuring their superhero-themed works.' Briana Colton, Clinical Art Therapy Intern

I believe to live is to balance opposing truths.  White light is composed of all visible colors of light, and black is the absence of light.  White pigment is the absence of color, and black pigment is the presence of all color.  This paradox encourages me to honor my experiences from multiple angles.  The texture of tears and richness of laughter each add to the canvas of life.  When we get stuck, unable to see the color in our black pigment, the richness in our white light, we can benefit from the perspectives of others.  

Honor your light:  When you create today, create in community.

Ruth Dogra, Board Chair

                                         Painting created by young Aurora artist for TLOTH’s community mural



If you watch small children they love to sing, dance and make art.  I've yet to meet a toddler who refused to create art because "I can't draw."  As members of our community work together to create a mural I am reminded of how self-conscious we become as adults.  We judge our art as though these non-verbal thoughts are not polished or pretty enough.

Honor your light:  Your thoughts and art are valid and have beauty.  Honor yourself today by creating without caring who is looking.

Ruth Dogra, Board Chair

                                          

We have created a powerful video sharing a snapshot of who we are and who we help. This video has been entered into TechSoup's Digital Storytelling Challenge. Please watch and share with friends.