Traveling art therapy show
This year marks the fourth annual art therapy show for Hospice of Tuscarawas, Stark & Carroll Counties that celebrates National Hospice month in November. The art show travels throughout the service area, starting in Stark County, then Tuscarawas County and ending in Carroll County.Each year, patients who are currently participating in the art therapy program decide if they would like to enter their artwork to be displayed for the public to view. Most are excited about the opportunity and enter several of their pieces, like Bill Millard.
This is the second year Millard has entered his artwork into the show. He has entered five paintings and a decorative wooden box he made for his wife, Betty. “My favorite art medium to work with is acrylic (paint), but I would like to learn more about oil painting,” said Millard.
Art therapy has been helpful to numerous hospice patients and their family members since the program began in 2006. The therapy can be used to address low self-esteem, life review, anxiety or, as in Millard’s case, reduce pain levels. “I enjoy being able to paint. It is bringing a light into me that I never knew was there. I concentrate on painting and my pain level goes down.”
Betty Millard has also noticed the difference art therapy has made in his life. “It lifts his moral spirit, increases his self-worth and helps his depression.”
Bill Millard gets some of his inspiration for painting from his favorite artist, Bob Ross. “His painting techniques are made to calm you,” he said. When asked what art therapy means to him, he shared, “It is a good way to shut out the world, get right into your painting and find out how relaxed you are afterwards.”
To view Bill Millard’s artwork, as well as others, visit the Kent State Stark Campus, Oct. 27-Nov. 9; North Canton Library (informational display board with a few pieces of artwork), Oct. 27-Nov. 9; Union Hospital (information display board with pictures only); Tuscarawas County Public Library, Nov. 11-17; Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts, Nov. 18-30; or Carroll County arts program, Dec. 1-14. In addition to the art show, this year a 2010 calendar is available with photographs of Hospice patient artwork.
Donations for the calendars will help raise money for the future home of the Hospice House located in Tuscarawas County. Calendars are available at the Tuscarawas County, Stark County and Carroll County Hospice offices. For more information, visit www.myhospice .org.