The benefits of art therapy are well documented and praised across every age group, medical condition, and cultural demographic. Engaging in art therapy also enhances and encourages the grieving process. Through Pathways of Hope grief support, patients and their families at the Dayton Hospice House, as well as members of the public, may join informal art therapy programs to make art when talking about loss, uncertainty, and grief are difficult.

Some of the programs offered as art-based grief support include:

The Art Cart is a mobile cart full of art supplies and projects designed to enrich the lives of patients and their family members of all ages by providing life enhancing creative activity. Look for the Art Cart in the halls of the Dayton Hospice House on Thursdays and occasionally Sundays.

Drawn Together Open Studio is held at the Yeck Art Center and is designed especially for children and family members visitng patients at the Dayton Hospice House. This open studio program gathers on Wednesday afternoons.

The Art Forever After Group is a multi-generational art-based grief group that provides a place for individuals, friends, and family members to make art with others. This group meets in 3-month segments and is currently scheduled for Monday evenings September through November, and February through April.

Tribute Squares: An Art Response to a Sudden Death in a School or the Community is a special program designed to provide organizations and schools an art-based grief support in response to a sudden death in the community.

Art Groups for Camp Pathways and Breakaway: Youth weeklong and one-day only events have been geared toward group grief-support while kids and teens engage in fun activities.

For more information about all these programs and more, please contact Pathways of Hope at 937-258-4991, or email pathwaysofhope@hospiceofdayton.org.