Meet Helen Spaw

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Helen Spaw a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Helen, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
By support from family and friends, and making space for spiritual guidance. Hearing other’s stories of resilience though my work is also powerful. I have a sense that overall everything is working out for better, even when it feels like a turn for the worse in the moment.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I have been leading congregational care, outreach, contemplative and faith formation through art programing through St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for 13 years, and Healing Art Circles in the community since 2016. Before this, I was a therapist for a variety of populations. I have my master’s degree in Art Therapy and Creativity Development from Pratt Institute. In addition to creating and leading The Art Tent (an art studio program for unhoused participants), the Labyrinth program (labyrinth walks and events with The Labyrinth Society team), and a spiritual practices through art Circle at St. Paul’s, I started my own company- Healing Art Circles, LLC.
I am excited to begin more wellness through art programs though Healing Art Circles. I currently lead a monthly Healing Art Circle for Healing of Racism sponsored by The Center for the Healing of Racism. I am beginning to collaborate with The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD to offer art workshops and Wellness through Art Circles for clients and staff.  I am hosting the creative art space for Ecclesia Downtown’s women’s retreat. I also have ongoing Wellness through Art classes at two retirement centers in Houston. This year is off to a growing start!
I love witnessing the transformation and wisdom that comes from these interactive art events.
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If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

  1. Open to learn
  2. Taking time to practice
  3. Engaging fully in the moment

These are all areas that can be explored and developed through experiencing the creative process, and in a Healing Art Circle event.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am looking for service providers that would like to offer a Wellness through Art Circles or events for their staff and community. Self care is essential to avoid burn out, and these Circles offer a return to our inner guidance and a way to experience our wholeness. These Circles and Workshops also allow us to experience group wisdom, and become aware of the self care skills we already have.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Helen Spaw

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