On Wednesday 26th June 2024, ASeTTS held the opening night of the Dr. Krishna Somers Expressive Art Program Exhibition at Cleaver Street and Co. Studio.
The art exhibition, which ran for two days, was a special way to mark Refugee Week and International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and to celebrate the progress made by our clients on their art therapy journey.
The program was split into two separate groups with one group for young people, which was held at UWA, and the other for adults held at our community centre. Participants were engaged in art-based expressive therapies to support their trauma recovery and improve wellbeing. Programs introduced participants to different ways of making art and provided opportunities to build new social connections and support. The therapeutic process was highly personal for each participant. For many this was their first time exploring their creativity, for most the first time exhibiting.
Throughout the youth and adult programs, clients were supported by our Art Therapist Hannah, student placement Keiko, Community Development Officer Shirin, Bicultural Workers, UWA Guild Volunteering, facilitators and other ASeTTS staff.
At the opening night we were joined by Leanne Peacock from the Krishna Somers Charitable Trust, who officially launched the exhibition. ASeTTS is one of the charity organisations Dr Krishna Somers chose to support and has made this art program and other programs at ASeTTS possible. We were also joined by Alison Xamon, Mayor for City of Vincent, supporters, staff, Board members and of course our amazing talented client artists and their families.
There was a variety of artworks on display from creative to more personal pieces but each one telling a story about each client’s journey, we thank our clients for sharing their amazing talents and personal stories through their artwork.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in the programs from our various staff, student placements, independent artists, and volunteers from the UWA Guild Volunteering, and to our generous supporter the Krishna Somers Charitable Trust. This program would not have been possible without the ongoing support of the Trust.
Photo gallery
