art as a healing pathway
Lori is an artist, a social worker and a facilitator of wellness workshops
designed to call upon our innate ability and need to interact with the
world around us in creative ways. She is the founder of Creative
Wisdoms, offering workshops for over 18 years in creativity, stress
management, health and healing, and personal and spiritual growth.
Lori's personal art in clay sculpting and mixed media artwork is offered under the business name Sacred Images. Her artwork focuses on the intricate web of connection with nature and the delicate dance of mind, body and spirit in the seen and unseen worlds. Common themes include transformation, rebirth, gratitude, relationship and dream states.
Lori has designed and implemented programs using art as a tool for relaxation, teambuilding, healing and self-discovery for many different clients over the years: New York State Office of Mental Health, Western Region Family Support Coalition, Healthy Alternatives through the Healing Arts (HA-HA), the YMCA/YWCA, Chautauqua Institution special studies, Kalieda Hospital System, Ecumenical Center of Orchard Park, Orchard Park and West Seneca School Districts, Jamestown Pubic Schools, Future Leaders Network, Soaring Eagle Wellness Center, Healing Touch Network, Unitarian Churches of Hamburg, Dunkirk and Jamestown, The Arts Council of Chautauqua County, Bonnie Collins Counseling and Wellness Center, The Resource Center, The Breast Cancer Society, Warren Hospice, First Presbyterian Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church and a variety of other organizations and sites.
Lori Currently contracts with a number of local organizations: Chautauqua County Arts Council offering, programs to the public and for afterschool programming; The Audubon Society for summer art camp, and the Chautauqua County Office of Mental Hygiene for a weekly class for clients from their agency.
This past year, Lori also received training from AWBW - A Window Between Worlds, an organization in California that has been using art for healing the trauma of domestic violence for 9 years now. Lori has been working with the Salvation Army Anew Program in Jamestown to assist in setting up a local chapter of AWBW.
Lori presented her work for the Hospice of Warren County Healing with the Arts Event and presented a healing art exhibit at Adams Art Gallery for the 3rd Annual Healing Arts Tribute. Most recently her exhibit for "art for healing" was shown at the Prendergast Library Gallery and at the Wright Gallery for The Arts Council of Chautauqua County for Jan 2008.
Lori demonstrates the master teaching skills of
empathy & openness... Her sincerity is so pure she is able to take a group
of people to new horizons easily. She shares her gifts in a flowing, natural
manner, pulling students in, rather than pushing information out.
- Diane Clark, retired schoolteacher & Job Corps Outdoor Educator
Beginning college with an arts scholarship, Lori graduated with honors from Mercyhurst College in social work and psychology. She also did graduate work in Expressive Arts and Women's Spirituality at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. Lori has studied extensively in the areas of stress-management and relaxation techniques and the field of using art for healing purposes, personal growth, problem solving, team building, and self-awareness. She is certified in Therapeutic Touch and Reiki II.
Lori has worked as a professional social worker for over 20 years in child welfare, early education, mental health, and medical care settings. She currently uses her professional skills as liaison, organizer, and service provider in her creative endeavors.
Currently, Lori is enrolled at Wisdom University in California in the Masters of Healing Arts program and recently attended the inaugural week long intensive in Gainsville Florida at Shands Hospital's "Art in Medicine" program.
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