Being a health care provider is a highly rewarding and stimulating career, but at times it can also be emotionally demanding. As part of our hospital’s commitment to nurture and support our people, the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) partnered with JBH's Mental Health Recreation and Wellness Program, with input from the Peer Navigator and Recreational Therapists, to offer a unique series of workshops that explore creativity as a way to improve mental wellness. Reclaiming Clay is a program designed to explore the therapeutic potential of clay as an artistic and healing medium.
Katlyn Alcorn, JBH’s Well-Being Specialist, noted, “There have been a number of studies on the mental health benefits of art, and we have seen that through the AGB’s collaboration with inpatient and outpatient mental health programs at JBH. So, we were excited about expanding the Reclaiming Clay workshops to encourage staff to focus on their own well-being, engage in a new activity and socialize with colleagues outside of work hours.”
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Reclaiming Clay introduces creative practices that prioritize mindfulness. Participants are encouraged to focus on breathwork and mindful awareness while working with clay. Mikah Fortier, Art Therapy Intern, leads the workshop and noted the focus is on the process rather than the final product. “It’s about the tactile experience of sculpting the clay, exploring the nature of the medium while centering permission for creative exploration and play. That’s what I hope people can get out of this workshop.”
The program was first conceived under the leadership of AGB’s former Associate Educator Tara Bursey. When COVID-19 put a halt to in-person programs, AGB moved to an online virtual model for patients in hospital. In 2024, it was expanded to include hospital staff.
Heather Kuzyk, AGB’s Education Studio Technician and a clay instructor, has been involved with the program since its inception. “As the pandemic persisted and the toll it was taking on health care providers became apparent, the idea was to offer Reclaiming Clay to hospital staff as a fun night out that was also a self-care tool,” she said.
The philosophy of reclamation – of both clay and self – is central. Each creation is eventually returned to its original form at the end of each workshop. This act of letting go symbolizes renewal and embraces the notion of starting anew, a powerful metaphor for resilience and transformation.
Niki Brideau is a Registered Practical Nurse who works in JBH’s Operating Room and the Family Health Clinic. She was intrigued by the concept of art as wellness and wanted to participate as a way of recharging mentally and creatively. “The OR is a controlled and sterile environment,” she said. “It’s good to get out and learn a new type of art in a fun social setting. When you spend so much time working, it’s a nice reminder that there’s a lot more to the world beyond the walls of the hospital.”