TVN-CRC Youth Create Peaceful Murals
The new artwork at The Village Network-Mt. Vernon/Knox County isn't framed and it's not a famous replica. The artwork is the walls themselves and the artists are the boys and girls living at TVN's Children's Resource Center (CRC).
The project is part of the art therapy program and involved close to 20 youth. Three walls inside TVN-CRC are transformed into colorful landscapes with vivid shades of blues, purples, gold and pinks. The community space, or the "chill-x-ation room", is used as a quiet place to think and relax.
The Village Network Mt. Vernon facility is one of 10 locations across Ohio treating troubled and traumatized youth. TVN-CRC is one of the agency's three residential programs.
"It was an event," said Liz Hartz, TVN-CRC art therapist. "Everyone was involved including the staff. People would walk by while the group was painting and take photos so we could appreciate the changes."
The actual painting took a little more than two days and was a combination of group and individual efforts according to Hartz. She laughs when she talks about working with the computer to project the image on the walls. It was the hardest part of the project she said. Hartz has high hopes the mural program will continue to expand.
Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. It is widely used at all ages from children to older adults. It is very effective at helping resolve conflicts, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress and increase self-esteem and self-awareness.
Hartz is a registered art therapist and has worked inside the field for 12 years. She holds a master in art therapy and is currently working on a master in social work.
The Village Network has worked with troubled and traumatized youth for over 60 years. TVN operates residential, day treatment, treatment foster care and alternative schools programs in 10 locations including Mt. Vernon/Knox County, Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Delaware, Newark, Uhrichsville, Sandusky and Wooster. For more information visit http://www.thevillagenetwork.org/