Emily Harris,Art Therapy Volunteer, watches over patients
in Art Techniques
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Volunteer Spotlight
From watercolors to worry dolls,
the U-M Cancer Center Art Therapy Program volunteers help
adult patients tap into their creativity. Art therapy addresses
the stress of illness by exploration and expression through
art.
A team of volunteers, several from the U-M School
of Art, may be found each week in the infusion area offering
patients the opportunity to work on pre-designed projects.
The volunteers make the hospital experience less stressful
by offering projects such as handmade journals, rain sticks,
picture frames and origami.
When asked about the impact of the Art Therapy
Program and its volunteers, a patient recently commented,
"It was a great benefit and helped me a lot. It took
my mind off my troubles. The thing I liked least was when
the volunteer had to leave."
Eleanor Chang, Art therapy Volunteer, helps a patient
in Art Techniques |
The weekly volunteers also assist in the Cancer
Center Art Technique classes. Volunteers help with fine motor
skills, such as cutting, tracing and other detailed work with
which patients need assistance. Classes teach such techniques
as silk painting, weaving and watercolors, and are led by
professional artists. Many of the artists are members of the
Creative Arts Council of Rochester.
Volunteers are supervised by the Cancer Center
art therapist, who stresses that no art background is required.
"Being comfortable with people" is the key skill
needed. Patients may request a volunteer's help with a pre-designed
project by calling the Art Therapy Program at (734) 615-4012.
Information about the art techniques classes, as well as other
art therapy offerings, is also available at that number.
If you are interested in learning more about
this or other volunteer opportunities, contact Mary McCully,
Program Coordinator, Volunteer
and Community Resource Program at (734) 936-8307 or mmcully@umich.edu.
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