Fulltime Diploma Graduates

2006 - Saskatoon, SASKATCHEWAN

I want to tell everyone about my new job! I have a four month contract to work at a long-term care home (Parkridge Center) as an “artist in residency”. Basically this means that I am doing Art Therapy work but am hired as an Artist. It is funded by a grant through the Arts Council. They recognize both my Art and Therapy skills and there is opportunity to use both. It is along the lines of what I wrote about in my thesis and I feel very lucky to have this position even if just for a short time. I am doing a series of groups with the residents and some individual work. They also have asked me to do a series of Art Workshops for Staff. So far I have worked with people with Dementia, various mental disabilities, a woman with no arms or legs (mouth painting) and a woman whom is over 400 lbs. I have a little art trolley that they have well stocked with supplies for me, that I cart around to each different area of the building.

I have also been approved to run an Art Therapy group through the University Hospital Mental Health Services in July 2007.

I am very excited about this work and wanted to tell you all about it! Now I just have to work on getting them to hire and Art Therapist on staff in the fall!

- Laurel Boerma

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