Arts & Dreams worked with high school students to create Gratitude Journals at the Red Hook Initiative on April 3, 2015.
Our activities focused on creating art that empowers self-love and hope, led by Arts & Dreams' co-founders Laura Baran and Patricia Geremia.
First we discussed the power of feeling grateful for every blessing, and how gratitude brings more to feel grateful about.
Everyone received a blank journal with unlined pages where they can draw, write and express their dreams, hopes and fears. Opening to the first blank page, they all wrote a list of 10 things for which they're grateful and shared their lists, feeling that magic spark of gratitude for all that's going well. Then participants decorated their journals with paints and appliques.
We closed the workshop by looking into a mirror and expressing a kind and loving word to ourselves. Thank you to RHI and all of our donors and supporters for making Arts & Dreams empowering art workshops possible.
Photos by Patricia Geremia and Laura Baran