Garfield Group

One thing Bo and I have been helping with weekly are art groups at the Garfield Commons. Some of participants in the group also helped with the installation of the Neuro Blooms installation. With this, we have been reflecting on themes of home, community, and belonging in the group and looking for connections on if and how involvement in the Neuro Blooms project strengthened that sense of community. In our discussion, one participant reflected that seeing people’s reactions to the different blooms naming “ This one is me! This one is mom…”etc. helps normalize the presence of mental health conditions and that they can impact anyone. I am glad I was able to be part of a discussion where such comforting realizations were being made. And what a connection with and reflection on community? These conditions that can carry a lot of stigma are connecting people and building community through the Neuro Blooms.

Right now, we are continuing the discussion of community through our work on a collaborative piece where each participant has been able to depict their representation of ‘home’. It has been interesting to see the overlap of what brings each of us comfort and how many different meanings home can hold.

Next week we will get to help pass out candy on Halloween and connect more with the community in that way!