Body Mapping: Honoring Your Story Through Art [Rock Row]

Overview

Living with cancer changes the way we experience our bodies, our relationships, and ourselves. Body mapping offers a gentle, creative way to reflect on that journey and give it shape through art. In this two-part workshop, participants will create a life-size body map—a personal visual story that explores experiences of illness, healing, resilience, identity, and hope. Through guided reflection, conversation, and artistic expression, we will use color, symbols, words, and images to represent what cannot always be easily spoken.

Originally developed as a healing and advocacy practice for people living with HIV/AIDS, body mapping invites participants to create a visual representation of their experiences, strengths, challenges, relationships, and sources of meaning. Through guided reflection, conversation, and artistic expression, we will trace and transform the body into a personal map of resilience, identity, and healing.

No artistic experience is necessary. This workshop is not about making “good art,” but about creating space for self-expression, insight, and connection in community. The workshop will be co-facilitated by an artist (who lives with chronic cancer herself) and an oncology counselor, offering both creative guidance and emotional support throughout the process. Following the second session, participants will have the option to share their completed body maps in a private artist reception at the Center, celebrating the courage and wisdom each story holds.

Open to adult Dempsey Center clients.

Led by Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, Christine Brome, LCSW, OSW-C, and volunteer Buzz Masters.