‘Spaces for Being: Art Therapy and Contemporary Creation’ is a project led by Paula Montes de Oca Alda, a cultural manager with extensive experience in artistic, educational, and social initiatives. She guides those participating in these activities, all inspired by art therapy, play, or the study of the works of contemporary artists who incorporate autobiographical and emotional elements into their creative processes. Healing Workshops: Art as a Therapeutic Tool in the Psychiatry Unit of Fuerteventura Hospital
This edition, divided into two sessions from 4th to 21st August, focuses on identifying how the body, time, silence, or listening can serve as refuge, containment, or potential for transformation through art. The methodology employed is experiential, flexible, and inclusive – a technique grounded in the principles of art therapy and artistic education, aiming not for aesthetic results but to improve, as much as possible, the well-being of the participants. Samuel Cruz, an occupational therapist at Fuerteventura Hospital, explains, “Art therapy-related activities are important because they help participants become aware of their problems and thus begin a rehabilitation process.”
The four workshops (‘The Line that Resides in the Body’, ‘Matter that Remembers’, ‘Fragments of a Personal World’, and ‘Silences that Resonate’) begin with a brief inspirational introduction (image, quote, object, gesture), followed by a block of individual or collective creation, and a final sharing session (if desired), respecting the rhythms and needs of each participant.
In addition to fostering creativity, the workshops are designed to create a safe, accessible, and respectful space where participants can express themselves through art, enhance self-esteem and autonomy, and facilitate contact with their emotions and inner world.
Healing Workshops: Art as a Therapeutic Tool in the Psychiatry Unit of Fuerteventura Hospital
