Healing Arts: Masks of Grief

Healing Arts groups, led by Susan Rosano and Denise Jaffe, are a powerful gateway to self-expression and communication when words can’t capture our feelings. The latest group, which finished last month, included mask-making as a way to address grief.

“In our lives, we often put on masks that hide our true selves from others. These masks can show how we want to be seen, covering up the emotions that are swirling inside.

Each participant is given a blank mask, a canvas on which to express their inner world. They divide the face of the mask in half, however they’d like. They then paint one half of the mask to reflect the façade that they present to society, which shows how they wish people to see them.

On the other half of the mask, they paint symbols and colors of their true emotions, revealing their authentic feelings and struggles hidden beneath the surface. They use symbols, abstractions, or anything that shows their true feelings on the inside.

When finished, participants share their experiences with others in the room, followed by discussion.” Susan Rosano

If you are interested in attending an upcoming Healing Arts group, please contact Lars Hunter at 802 257-0775, lars.hunter@cfsolace.org.