Home >> Programs >> Take heART! >> SoulCollage® Workshop

SoulCollage® Workshop

By Marilyn Garrison

I was inspired to contact Create Now! after meeting Jill Gurr at the Nexus ICAN Conference on foster youth.  I was aware of the great work Create Now! has done.  With my strong desire to mentor “at-risk” youth, I knew they would be able to help me fulfill my desire to work directly with these young people with a program I have been involved with called SoulCollage®.  Jill was able to put me in touch with a group of young women who would be interested in this program in South LA.

Each Tuesday evening you will find me at a group home for foster youth in Inglewood, volunteering my time coaching five restless, teenage girls.  Challenged with lives of abuse and neglect, these older girls have been legally removed from their homes, and placed in the foster care system.  Their life circumstances are emotionally charged, often resulting in painful and unexpressed feelings.  Having worked in the Child Welfare system for the last 19 years, I know the turmoil and difficulties youth face when separated from their family.  Feelings of abandonment, fear and loss are not uncommon.  Through the process of SoulCollage® I offer these girls a non-threatening means to share their feelings, sort out their confusion, and learn about important aspects of themselves.

SoulCollage® is a process of self discovery developed by artist and psychotherapist Seena B. Frost.  Frequently teens will rebel at the very thought of traditional therapeutic intervention.  However, as a licensed therapist, and trained SoulCollage® Facilitator, I have introduced to them a way of introspection that centers less on talk, and more on their intuitive ability to recognize images that mirror their internal world.

Initially the girls were skeptical and guarded, indicative of issues of trust and misgivings.  To ease their doubt, I openly shared my genuine motivation and desire for their emotional and healthy well being.  Gradually, they opened up, offering glimpses of themselves through humor, dialog and disclosures.

The focus of the weekly workshop is to create SoulCollage® cards. which are added to their personalized deck.  The materials required are minimal: scissors, glue sticks, mat boards and magazines.  Each week they are instructed to leisurely look through publications for images they are drawn to.  They do this activity to the accompaniment of slow and soulful music.  After carefully cutting their images, they create a collage.  Most often they are asked to fashion a card that reflects an aspect of their personality, for instance: “the shy one” or “the brave one,” or the “scared one.”

These “personality” cards comprise the “Committee Suit.”  Ms. Frost describes the “Committee Suit” as those inner voices of your unique soul.  Other times the girls are asked to compose cards about significant people in their lives, living or dead, known or unknown.  These cards represent those that guide, inspire, support and love them.  Through the creation of these “Committee” and “Community” cards, the girls explore aspects of themselves, and their relationship with others.

The process has proven to be both therapeutic and insightful.  What sometimes cannot be said aloud becomes visibly apparent as images are glued upon 5x7 boards.  Time is always allowed for sharing, a critical element of our work together.  This is a time where each girl presents her creation, a part of herself that she shares with the world.  This time of sharing is honored and respected.  Sometimes the sharing is inspiring… sometimes heartbreaking, and always revealing.  What results is a beautiful and creative piece of art depicting a part of them they are eager to know.  As a leader, I facilitate their process, and as a group, they support each other.  Through our experience together, we have bonded.  They are learning that they each are a collage of splendid woven threads, and are learning to accept and appreciate their variety and beauty.

Recently the teens were encouraged to submit their art to the 16th annual Animagination Festival, sponsored by Youth Opportunity United.  The event was held at 20th Century Fox Studio and provided a day of learning and artistic exploration.  Industry professionals from all of the major animation studios, computer graphics companies, and related fields spent the day explaining what they do, sharing their career paths, and providing foster youth with the promise of an exciting and rewarding career in the visual arts through hard work and creativity.  This year’s theme was “Animals” and each of these teens chose an animal most like them, and created a collage.  The resulting menagerie included a lion, jaguar, monkey, butterfly and leopard.   At the event, their art was prominently displayed in the student gallery.  It was thrilling for them to view their creations.  By their report, this event boosted their level of artistic confidence, and provided them a feeling of accomplishment and pride.  I too celebrated their success.

This continues to be a rewarding mentoring experience for me.  It is in the giving that I receive.  The hours that I spend provide me a personal satisfaction in knowing that these girls are aspiring to recognize their true nature and potential.  Their excitement and willingness to continue week after week is heartening and their courage to face their fears, and broaden their perspectives, is a true testament to the resilience of their spirit.  Other mentors interested in learning more about SoulCollage®, or desiring training in this illuminating process, please email me.  If you are interested in mentoring with Create Now! or supporting the organization in any capacity, please contact Jill Gurr.

About the Mentor

Marilynne Garrison works as a Children's Services Administrator for the Department of Children and Family Services.  Create Now! has invited Marilynne and the girls from Dangerfield Group Home to the Hollywood Bowl, the Pasadena Playhouse and Disney Concert Hall this summer, and to other cultural events so they can continue to broaden their horizons and involvement in the arts.  Create Now! will be sponsoring a workshop in SoulCollage® for our mentors that Marilynne will lead.