Over the past two years, Callanwolde's Community Outreach Program has partnered with the Starlight Children's Foundation to provide art therapy to sick children. This year Callanwolde will provide art therapy to Cystic Fibrosis patients at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Art therapy is an effective tool in assisting seriously ill children deal with illnesses. Art therapy allows children to deal with grief, frustration and learn effective coping mechanisms. It is also a fun activity that exposes children to a variety of artistic techniques.
Callanwolde is also pleased to provide Improv programming in the Dialysis Unit of Children's Healthcare. This program utilizes traditional improvisational techniques often used with children. The improv program provides a positive, fun and creative outlet for children whose treatment severely limits their mobility and interaction.
Most families with sick children are so financially strapped as a result of medical expenses that extra curricular activities become impossible to afford. Our programs teach valuable artistic skills that children can expand on and work on independently in the future. Callanwolde's arts programming in hospitals makes the experience of obtaining treatment for illness more tolerable and fun.
The poem (above left) was written by a student participating in Callanwolde's art therapy programs. The hand-made tile mosaic (above right) was created by Cystic Fibrosis patients in our art therapy programs.
Outreach Instructors
Callanwolde is proud of the talented outreach art teachers on staff that assist us in providing diverse arts offerings to the community. The following instructors particularly assist with the Arts Therapy programs:
Jenny Welty-Green, Ed.S, ATR-BC: Ms. Welty-Green is a Board Certified art therapist and a credentialed professional member of the American Art Therapy Association. . For nearly two decades she has provided clinical art therapy services to children, teens and adults who have experienced severe emotional and behavior disorders, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse and bereavement issues. She works as an art therapist at South Metro Program (GNETS, Georgia Network of Educational and Therapeutic Support). Ms. Welty-Green instructs all of the art therapy programs with the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and any additional art therapy projects in conjunction with the Starlight Foundation.
Emily Russell: Ms. Russell holds a Bachelor of Theatre degree from Georgia State University and is the proprietor of Whole World Theatre in Atlanta. She is an experienced improv comedy performer, writer and director and works extensively with youth and teen Improv Programs. Ms. Russell conducts all of the Improv Program in the Dialysis Unit of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.