The Haggerty Museum of Art hosted its Community Art & Wellness Retreat on Nov. 15. The retreat began with a long-table discussion which served as a forum for attendees to talk about their trauma in a safe space and inspire others to do the same. Jan Tichy’s “Installation No. 46 (Rhythmus 24)” served as a backdrop to the conversation.
The free and open-to-the-public event made possible by a number of community partners, the Lilly Foundation Inc. and emeritus faculty member Mary Anne Siderits — was designed to mesh with the museum’s current exhibitions and themes.
Rachel Kieselburg, the museum’s assistant director of business affairs, said, the exhibition followed themes of empathy, connection and care which were mirrored in the discussion that allowed for reflection, dialogue and healing.
“In other words, it’s not just about viewing art — it’s about experiencing art in a way that nurtures both personal and communal well-being and recognizing that true wellness is only possible when we care for one another” Kieselburg, said.
Generally, art therapy can be useful to those who are unable to find words to describe how they are feeling. The process of creating art can engage the mind, reduce stress and promote mindfulness. Additionally, creating art with other people may help some feel less alone and more comforted by people experiencing similar things stated Erica Browne, an art therapist and director of Bloom Art and Integration Therapies in Milwaukee.
Although new to the art museum, long-table discussions date back to 2004 and were designed as a way to stage conversations on serious topics. The idea riffs off a dinner party style setup where there is food for thought, and everyone is encouraged to pull up a chair, as stated before the long-table discussion by Jodi Brown, an art therapist and licensed professional counselor.
The discussion was titled, “No One Knows All It Takes,” and invited attendees to share their experiences with art and trauma. As the microphone was passed, guests openly shared their stories.
“This gives us the ability to be part of something bigger than ourselves,” Tia Richardson, a community mural artist, said while at the table.
Many of those who spoke attested to how their experience with art had helped them work through their trauma and had served as a form of release or expression. Some cited very personal experiences while others related to events that had a global impact, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that caused feelings of isolation for many people.
“In partnership with Marquette’s Counseling Center and Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee, the museum sought to create a space where people can reflect, create, connect and heal,” Kieselburg said.
The retreat featured other events that promoted full body wellness, including dance performances by the Catey Ott Dance Collective and chair massages by the Academy of Health. In total, the event was five hours long.
“Physically, activities like movement or touch integrated with art can support relaxation and bodily awareness,” Kieselburg said.
Following the long-table discussion, Browne prompted attendees to create their own prints to hang up right alongside Raoul Deal’s prints in the museumthat represent the journey of Latinx immigrants settling in Milwaukee. Then, guests were able to take their print home at the end of the event.
The idea is that a guest that interacts with similar materials as the original artist prompts a deeper empathy for the art created and the thought behind it, Brown said.
“We’re asking people to create an image through the block printing process of their journey to be here today,” Browne said. “It could be a personal journey. It could be ‘I broke my bike on my way here today,’ whatever journey to get here today.”
This article was written by Mina Marsolek-Bonnet. She can be reached at [email protected].
