Beyond Words is a supportive and creative space designed for individuals who have been grieving the loss of a loved one for at least a year. If you have previously participated in grief support programs—such as Living with Loss or Mourning Café—and now feel ready to explore your grief through artistic expression, this group offers a unique opportunity to commemorate your loved one while transforming your pain into a tangible symbol of healing.
In Beyond Words, art becomes a medium to give meaning to loss. Using the Japanese Kintsugi art technique—a process of breaking a ceramic object and then repairing it with gold—we invite you to express your grief visually and emotionally. The act of breaking, mending, and embellishing your own ceramic piece symbolically represents the journey from brokenness toward a new, resilient normal. Alongside guided discussions and reflections, you will create a personalized work of art that encapsulates your individual healing process.
Who is this program for?
This program is ideal for you if:
- You lost a loved one at least one year ago.
- You have already participated in a grief support group (e.g., Living with Loss or Mourning Café) or feel that you are ready to explore your grief on a deeper, more creative level.
- You are interested in using art as a way to express, understand, and transform your grief.
- You appreciate working in a small, intimate group setting (the group is closed to a maximum of 10 participants).
What does the program offer?
In Beyond Words, you will:
- Engage in six in-person sessions held every two weeks at the Wellness Centre
- Explore the Kintsugi art process by:
- Bringing your own ceramic bowl (a piece you select for its personal significance) to participate actively in the process.
- Reflecting on the meaning of your grief and discussing what your ceramic bowl symbolizes.
- Progressing through stages of breaking, repairing, and painting your bowl with gold to represent the beauty of mending what once was broken.
- Benefit from a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can share your emotions and experiences
- Gain insights from trained grief support volunteers who facilitate the sessions.
What participants say
Participants in similar art-based grief groups have shared that:
- Expressing grief through creative activity can provide a sense of relief and empowerment.
- The process of “repairing” the broken ceramic piece helps them symbolically mend their inner wounds.
- The group setting fosters meaningful connections and the realization that they are not alone in their grief journey.
How can I join the program?
Contact our bereavement program coordinator. She will discuss the program with you so you can determine if the program is a good fit for you.
Important things to know
- The program is free
- This program is best suited for those who are at least one year into their grief journey. Previous participants in other grief support programs are especially encouraged to join.
- The group is closed to a maximum of 10 participants to maintain an intimate and supportive environment.
- All sessions are held in person to allow direct, hands-on creative engagement and support.
- Your ceramic piece will be safely stored at the Wellness Centre between sessions until you take it home at the conclusion of the program.
If you feel ready to explore your grief through art and join a compassionate community on the path to healing, we invite you to consider Beyond Words.
How might engaging in a creative process help you find meaning in your loss?
