Last summer, I had the privilege of leading two Healing in Arts workshops with military families. The first one took place at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida, and the second one at the Coast Guard Base in Kodiak, Alaska. For both art mystery projects, each participant painted a small wooden tile with Sharpie markers without knowing the final design. These projects invited a diverse range of people of any age to express themselves through art.
The collaborative nature of the art workshops added an exciting element to the creative process. Everyone contributed to form a rich tapestry of individual expressions. The reveal of the mystery designs added a fun layer of anticipation and celebration.
The final community pieces showcase the beauty of diversity and the strength that comes from individuals united by a common purpose. This shared moment of discovery reinforces the idea that everyone’s contribution, no matter how small, is valuable.
