The Seeds of Strength
The Seeds of Strength is an ongoing expressive arts project focused of providing trauma-informed and culturally sensitive support for people in movement, especially those internally and externally displaced. However, it can be also applied in other contexts, where a strong need for new resources, nourishment, and beauty arises. We offer expressive arts workshops and creative cycles establishing safety, restoring connection, and making space for hope. Our participants are invited to reconnect with their natural ability to create and share their stories using the arts.
“Such is the strength of art, rough things to shape.” — James Howell
When we make art, we also make choices and this allows us to restore the sense of agency. Our stories can be finally told on our own terms, using the language of the arts.
The space and time of art-making can offer us safety. As we interact with beauty and co-create it, our confidence has a chance to strengthen. That can contribute to our overall well-being.
We are not alone in our joys and sorrows. Art-making can help us to reconnect with others, rebuild trust, and find a place of comfort. As arts are indigenous to all humans, we can turn to them any time!
The Seeds of Strength in Belgium [27/06/2024]
Workshop in Eeklo
Our first workshop was facilitated by Joanna Wróblewska at Rode Kruis-Vlaanderen Opvangcentrum Eeklo in Belgium. The participants came mostly from Afghanistan, but also from Syria, Iran, Turkey, nd Palestine.
The Seeds of Strength in Iran [14/07/2024]
Workshop in Tehran
Our second workshop was facilitated by Elahe Rahimian at Kariz in Tehran, Iran. They support young talented people from under-resourced environments and that includes refugees from Afghanistan. Artworks were created by Mohammad, Mohammad Reza, Fatemeh, Mousa, Sima, Farimah, Mojtaba, and Sharif.
The Seeds of Strength in Oregon, US [19/07/2024]
Workshop in Portland
Our third workshop was a bit bigger and included around 30 participants of various ages. All of them came from Afghanistan. Artworks were created mostly by children, teens, and their mothers present during the event.
Join us on Zoom!
We would like to invite you for this short Zoom event, during which we will discuss the outcomes of our workshop series and the prospects for the future. The event will be conducted in English. However, we will provide a Dutch, Persian, and Pashto translation, if needed. We invite anyone, who is interested in learning more about The Seeds of Strength:
Our participants
Their caregivers and social workers
Art therapists interested in migration and displacement
Other mental health professionals
OUR TEAM
Get to know our team members
Elahe Rahimian
REAT, PhD Candidate
Emma Sullivan Uebele
MA-ET
Joanna Wróblewska
PhD, MA-ET
We are now in the process of developing an expressive arts therapy protocol that could be applied in various contexts, with a special focus on people in movement and those, who feel excluded and lack resources. Please don't hesitate to get in touch to learn more about our progress and join the efforts to make art therapy more available to persons with difficult migrational experiences.
The Seeds of Strength Team
Elahe, Emma, and Joanna
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© 2024 The Seeds of Strength by Elahe Rahimian, Emma Uebele, and Joanna Wróblewska. All rights reserved.
Please get in touch to start a collaboration.
