Healing Through Art: Ukrainian Women Rebuilding Their Lives Through Creativity

Written by Mariia Matviian, group participant

On one December morning, I checked my email inbox as part of my routine and came across an intriguing letter. The email was from Grassroots Response and mentioned an art space for Ukrainian women as a form of personal healing, called “Healing Art.” It immediately caught my attention as I had recently been thinking about finding an activity to join within a like-minded community. “This might be a sign for me. Let’s apply,” I told myself and proceeded with the application process.

The first meeting was held on January 6th at the Mill Courtland Community Centre in Kitchener, where the organizers were generously offered the space for free. Before the meeting, we were connected via a WhatsApp group, allowing us to introduce ourselves and get acquainted more quickly (we have a group of 19 women). Inna Biliaieva, the volunteer coordinator at Grassroots Response and the main organizer of the “Healing Art” project, explained the purpose of the event. She created a sense of safety and confidence among us. There were no expectations, no restrictions, and no rigid guidelines. The room was filled with various art supplies for painting, knitting, crocheting, and more. Each woman was free to choose an activity that suited her best at that moment.

Additionally, as someone engaged in social work and counselling, Inna prepared another intriguing activity involving “Metaphorical Cards”. As I later discovered, these are a therapeutic tool used for self-reflection, self-expression, and exploring emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Many women eagerly joined the session, which wasn’t surprising. Being a newcomer is challenging, and we are constantly seeking support; even a simple chance for self-expression can be healing.

The cozy atmosphere was enhanced by candles, sweets, snacks, and heartfelt conversations over a cup of tea. To top it off, the staff at the Community Center offered free Brazilian dance classes, which some participants were excited to attend!

To give you a better sense of the project’s atmosphere and significance, I’d like to share some feedback from participants:

“Thank you very much for creating a wonderful space. It was cozy and welcoming. I was glad to meet and get to know everyone” – Svitlana.

“Thank you very much for the opportunity to be part of this amazing art program! Getting to know you was not only interesting but also a valuable experience. Creative approach and support inspire and encourage me toward new achievements. I’d also like to thank you for the warm atmosphere, where everyone started realizing their potential and felt part of the team. See you soon” – Mariia.

Since I was late, I didn’t have the chance to join the Metaphorical Card activity. There were only a limited number of cards, and perhaps my “zero” card meant it was better not to be late in the future. Instead, I found a canvas and paints and began creating my masterpiece. Honestly, I’d always wanted to paint and display my artwork at home but hadn’t found the time until now. In that art space, I felt like time belonged to me, and I forgot all about the many tasks and worries on my mind. By the end of the day, we were all relaxed, and in high spirits, and I was proud of my new painting.

In closing, we would like to express our gratitude to all volunteers at Grassroots Response who brought this wonderful art healing space to life. A heartfelt thank you goes to Carol Ann Weaver, Dave Logan, Pamela Rojas, and The Artstore for support, inspiration and supplies, and to the Mill Courtland Community Center for providing the venue and free Brazilian dance courses. I’m deeply thankful to everyone who donated materials and resources to support this project. Together, we are strong!

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If you’d like to generously support this meaningful initiative, which will last from January to May, please, consider donating. It can be done online with a tax receipt provided by CanadaHelps (via the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre). Go to the Grassroots Response donation page, https://www.wrgrassrootsresponse.ca/donate. Please mention "Healing Art” in the Comment section to ensure that the donation is properly allocated.

Also, you may donate any supplies for the project from the list: click here.

Please simply send an email to wrgr.volunteer@gmail.com and mention what supplies you might want to donate.

Finally, please note that if we have extra money for the project, we will use it to support those Ukrainian families who find themselves in particularly difficult situations.

Your generosity can help ensure that more women experience the transformative power of Healing Art.

This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to helping displaced Ukrainians rebuild their lives with dignity, care, and community.