NEW PROGRAMS   Program is now full, no more intakes, thanks for your interest! ART for HAART - new! Eve Tesluk, B.A. Hon., Art T. dip. (pending) and Frances Bryant-Scott, M.S.W., Art T. cert. (pending) are two art therapy students from the British Columbia School of Art Therapy who wish to offer the members of the Vancouver Island People Living with HIV/AIDS Society a ten week art therapy support group that will begin February 2nd and run Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm to 8:30pm, concluding April 6th. What is Art Therapy? Art Therapy combines visual art and psychotherapy in a creative process using the created image as a foundation for self-exploration and understanding. Individuals participating in the group do not need to have prior art experience, only a desire to explore ideas and issues in a visual/verbal medium. Some of the themes that will be explored in this group are transitions, self-care, relationships, and coping with treatments, however the group will not be limited to these areas. The facilitators of this group strongly believe in addressing the needs and desires of the group participants, and during the intake process, will be compiling a collection of themes that interested members want to explore. The structure of the art therapy group itself will consist of art making using different media, structured and unstructured creative writing about the artwork and underlying thoughts and feelings that are connected to them, and group discussion. Participants are encouraged to take creative risks while at the same time being respected for finding their own comfort zones with creativity and levels of sharing. Basic art supplies required to create and complete activities in the group will be provided by the facilitators, however participants are encouraged to bring their own extra supplies if they wish. VIPWAS will also be providing light refreshments. There is a brief intake interview with the facilitators required prior to the beginning of the group on February 2nd that can be arranged by calling VIPWAS. Currently facilitators are open for intake interviews on Mondays between 11:00am and 1:00pm, Wednesdays between 9:00am and 11:00am and an evening intake on January 26th between 6:00pm and 8:00pm, but individual arrangements can be made if those times do not work. Since this is not a drop-in group there will be no new admissions after the start date. The facilitators request that participants be prepared to commit to attending the group every week and are asked to call VIPWAS if they will be missing a session. If you have any further questions please call VIPWAS and the staff and volunteers will be more than happy to answer your questions. If you have more in depth questions about art therapy you can leave your name and contact information with VIPWAS and one of the facilitators will be happy to contact you. Art For HAART Starting Wednesday, February 2, 2011 6pm to 8:30pm Location: VPWAS Office - #101-1139 Yates Street Contact: 250.382.7927 or support@VPWAS.org