Creativity can be just the therapy you need right now

Creativity cannot be confined. In fact, confinement can serve as a catalyst to creativity. When our bodies cannot roam about freely, our minds are more apt to seek other ways to be free. There’s been a huge uptick in reading. In fact, you’re doing it right now. This is certainly the opportunity to prove or disprove that theory.

Galleries may be closed, but they are still providing help and stimulation. Chagrin Falls’ Valley Art Center — which has cancelled its annual Art by the Falls — has launched ARTLIVES. This new platform replaces the personto-person class experience with visual art instruction ranging from free online demos to full six-week instructor-led courses that can be completed at home with minimal equipment and include instructor feedback.

There is a growing number of virtual tours of museums, galleries and zoos coming online. Think of them as field trips for home schoolers. Mom, dad or older siblings can watch first, making notes and preparing challenges and rewards. This can help keep their resident students interested throughout the tour.

Google is your best friend right now. Ask for kid-friendly tours, galleries or zoos. You can pause the action to sketch as you go. Check out the Cleveland Museum of Art or visit museums and landscapes around the world.

Travel local, with the reward of a real-life tour of your favorites later. I envy parents home with their kids during this crisis. What a wonderful opportunity to bring the family back to center of your universe. I had a lot of creative fun with my kids as they were growing up (and yes, I still do) so I hope families are making the most of this unique time together.

Remember to create art. Be ready when it’s time to exhibit your work again. Art shows, competitions and festivals will return. Don’t get caught with your paints down.

There is no shortage of stress these days. From working at home, to losing your job and income, to being alone and housebound, to having an essential job and facing the dangers of exposure every day. How do you cope?

Art and garden therapy work for me. I’m lucky to spend my days in the garden center, flowers feed my soul and inspire my art.

Stella’s Art Gallery

I spoke to Dani Klein, a registered art therapist and owner of Stella’s Art Gallery, which relocated to Willoughby just as the shutdown began. It will reopen in its new home at 38033 Euclid Ave. as life returns to normal.

I asked Klein how art helps to deal with stress.

“During this time of Isolation,” Klein said, “I have often made sense of the experience with the five stages of grief by KuglerRoss: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. I have found myself in denial, This can’t be happening; anger How dare this happen as I’m planning to move my gallery; depression -This sucks, I don’t feel like doing anything; acceptance -This is how it’s going to be for a while, so I better make the best of it. I haven’t found myself bargaining yet.”

“What I keep in mind, is that ... this is normal. These feelings are human and expected during this time. My best advice as an art therapist is to draw/ paint/collage, use whatever media you like to use ... (grab the kid’s markers or crayons) and create those feelings ... even the not so nice ones, especially those! If you are not feeling all sunshine, unicorns, and rainbows ... don’t paint them.”

Klein urges you to paint how you truly feel. The goal is to “GET IT OUT and know it’s OK to feel that way.” When she creates something from sadness or anger she usually feel a lot better afterward. If not, she suggests thinking of images that feel calming, happy, or peaceful; a place you would like to be and create that. This is a tool to help you through, the goal is not to be wall worthy, that would be a bonus.

If depression continues or deepens seek professional. Don’t hesitate to call your doctor.

Learn more about art therapy at at-institute.arttherapy.org.

Valley Art Center

Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls, may be closed to visitors but they are virtually open every other way. The new platform, ARTLIVES, keeps you connected to the arts. You can take a virtual tour of the gallery, shop the online, participate in at home class presentations and join the effort to provide face masks for the Cleveland Clinic.

VAC instructor Diane Farr leads the face mask project and is looking for volunteers to prepare the fabric, sew, and distribute the masks. If you would like to answer Governor DeWine’s call to action, email dianefarr@att.net.

ARTLIVES also includes an art marketspace featuring exclusive work by VAC member artists and the works included in VAC Gallery exhibits.

Their flagship annual event Art by the Falls has been cancelled.

“We were looking forward to being the first art festival to kick off the summer season! But we care about the safety of all concerned. In response to the COVID-19 safety directives ordered by the governor of Ohio and guidance of the mayor of Chagrin Falls, Valley Art Center’s 37th Annual Art by the Falls is officially cancelled,” VAC director Mary Ann Breisch announced.

Visit valleyartcenter. org or call 440-247-7507 to learn more.