Kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery with gold metals, is a powerful metaphor for life and personal growth. The fragments of broken pottery symbolize the challenges and trauma in our life journey. We acknowledge that our scars do not diminish our worth.
When we shared this with participants at first they were quiet and somewhat emotional, however as they created and spoke to one another they all shared gratitude.
After the workshop, one participant sent this message to her assigned Specialist (advocate through the DA’s office): “At first I didn’t know what to think and then as it went on it all started to make sense why I was there…. I needed this, I did!!! I cried and I needed that too!! The rain on my face when I came out felt refreshing. It is MY STORY and I HAVE PURPOSE and this does not define me, what has happened to me.”
Another participant came in with her young adult child who made mention that they often do crafts at home as a form of stress relief and bonding. They shared that this workshop not only was meaningful to them but meaningful to have been able to do it together. The mother was a victim of domestic abuse and her daughter witnessed the abuse over the years. They both shared that the space given and created for them was peaceful and they enjoyed it.
Changing Our Story: The Art of Kintsugi was used as a part of awareness for National Crime Victim’s rights week, through the DA’s program S.T.O.R.I.E.S. (Stories Told or Read in Empowering Spaces), and featured the art in our 4th annual Healing H[arts] exhibit.
