Art Works
Art Works is an introductory course in Expressive Arts / Intermedia Art Therapy for teachers working with children and young people from difficult family backgrounds in Abkhazia1. The unclear status of the region makes it difficult for its inhabitants to update their professional training. This course, which is led by external specialists, was created upon specific request by local teachers.
Expressive Arts / Intermedial Art Therapy is an art-based method to strengthen people in their development and to promote their resilience. It is also used in work with groups.
First, we only planned an 8-month course, consisting of two on-site workshops and online supervision sessions. After its implementation (Art Works I), it became clear that the schools, special schools and kindergartens where the course participants were working were also interested in getting to know the approach. In a follow-up project (Art Works II), demonstration and trial lessons for Expressive Arts / Intermedial Art Therapy were therefore held at these institutions. In doing so, the lecturers could also respond to the respective institutional frameworks and conditions. The next step will be to integrate this art-based approach into the training of teachers in Abkhazia generally.
Art Works II
In April 2023, the second part of the Art Works project took place in Abkhazia1, the application of the Expressive Arts / Intermedial Art Therapy approach in the schools, special schools and kindergartens where the participants of the first part of the project (Art Works I) were active. It was used in the concrete work with the children and young people of these educational institutions, as well as in preparatory and follow-up discussions with our experts.
In the run-up to the workshop, we were uncertain whether it would be possible for Swiss nationals to enter Abkhazia due to the tense political situation, and we invited only one of the lecturers of Art Works 1, the art therapist Varvara Sidorova, to lead the workshop. She conducted it together with her assistants.
In the end, it was possible for our team members to enter the country, and we were able to observe how more than 30 teachers in 5 different educational organisations got an idea of the methods of Expressive Arts / Intermedial Art Therapy through demonstration lessons and trial lessons by our “old” Art Works I participants. We discussed with the directors how these approaches could be integrated into the regular programme of their schools. The evaluation of the project showed that an openness for art-based ways of working has developed within the institutions. Now it is up to the participants of Art Works I and II to use this “Spielraum”.
Place and year
Sukhum/i, 2023
Participants
Twenty teachers from the Panorama Center for children from difficult family backgrounds, the Sukhum/i Youth House, the local school Alashara, and two kindergartens
Lecturers
Varvara Sidorova (Expressive Arts Therapy at Moscow State University of Psychology and Education)
Marina Smirnova (Expressive Arts Therapy at Artdom Art Therapy Center, Moscow)
Yulia Talyzina (Expressive Arts Therapy at Artdom Art Therapy Center, Moscow)
Oksana Novikova (Expressive Arts Therapy at Artdom Art Therapy Center, Moscow)
Yulia Levina (Expressive Arts Therapy at Artdom Art Therapy Center, Moscow)
Project management
Nasta Agrba (SKLAD)
Dagmar Reichert (artasfoundation)
Olivia Jacques (artasfoundation)
Partner organisations
SKLAD Sukhum/i
Sukhum/i Youth House
Panorama Center, Sukhum
Financial Contribution
Abegg Foundation
Art Works I
This 8-month introductory course in Expressive Arts / Intermedial Art Therapy was attended by twelve educators (19 to 54 years old) who work with children and young people from difficult family backgrounds in Abkhazia1. The course was led by a specialist from Moscow, Varvara Sidorova, and a specialist from Basel, Annatina Strub, and consisted of two one-week workshops in October 2021 and January 2022 in Sukhum/i, as well as a series of supervision meetings with the two experts. It concluded with a practical and theoretical examination.
In the workshops, the participants tried out the methods of Expressive Arts / Intermedial Art Therapy primarily through their own practical work. In this way, they experienced in themselves what they can later apply with their students.
For the trainers and organisers of the course, it was impressive to see the changes the practice of Expressive Arts / Intermedial Art Therapy could bring about in the participating Abkhaz teachers. In a film about the project, the participants also report on these changes. It seems that one of the principles of the Expressive Arts approach, namely “low skill, high sensitivity”, opens doors to trust in one’s own creativity, to enjoy it and to strengthen oneself.
Place and year
Sukhum/i, 2021–2022
Participants
Twelve teachers from the center Panorama for children from difficult family backgrounds, the Sukhum/i Youth House as well as the local state school no. 1.
Lecturers
Varvara Sidorova (Expressive Arts Therapy at Moscow State University of Psychology and Education)
Annatina Strub (Expressive Arts Therapist MA, Villa Blu, Binningen)
Project management
Nasta Agrba (SKLAD)
Dagmar Reichert (artasfoundation)
Partner organisations
SKLAD Sukhum/i
Sukhum/i Youth House
¹artasfoundation would like to underline that its use of names and titles particularly in regards to conflict regions should not be understood as implying any form of recognition or non-recognition by the foundation or as having any other political connotation whatsoever.