TO EVERYTHINGTHERE IS A SEASON

THE SALVATION ARMY FIRST FLOOR PROGRAM GENNIFER ANDERSON

6th June - 30th June 2019Wollongong Art Gal lery

Creativity connects. Creativity connectspeople and experiences together. Creativityconnects us to our own experience, allowsus insight into ourselves, our emotions and

our story. Creativity is a powerful tool forhealing.

The Salvation Army First Floor program have been using creativity in oursupport groups and programs for over 10 years. Originally, the creative spiritof FFP founder Jayne Wilson was the impetus for exploring the use of art asa therapeutic tool to allow people to express themselves, add form to their

experiences and help others understand their journey.

Now, creativity has become a part of almost every expression of ourprogram and the people we support, from our weekly Art 4 Healing group, to

our yearly exhibition, art has become a part of who we are.

Along the way, art has allowed our community to express, understand, shareand heal. Its transformative power is always a gift.

We are excited to offer this gift with you through this small collection of ourwork.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed over the years, participants andfacilitators alike especially; Jacqueline Cavallaro, Julieanne Lowe, Stephen

Dunn, Gemma Mackenzie, Megan Galbraith, Christine Hansell as well as ourJayne Wilson Memorial Feature Artists John Kennedy, Shining Rainbow,

Jedd Dimension, Gennifer Anderson and Aiden Campbell (2020).

Art 4 HealingIn 2010, our Art 4 Healing group was established and led

by Jacqueline Cavallero. During this time the group workedon visual diaries, created plaster figures and began

“Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain”. FFP ChaplainStephen Dunn continued this process, working with the

group in 2015. In 2012 FFP Intern Psychologist JulieanneLowe introduced the concept of the Strength Garland to

the group, a tradition which continues to this day.

etc...Since its inception in 2009, the etc suicide and bereavementgroup has been one of the First Floor Program’s most prolificproducers of art. Working alongside Jacqueline Cavallero from2009-2010, the group explored the nature of grief and lossthrough trying to capture their emotions in paint, creating “griefmasks” and incorporating these into canvas works which tellthe story of their loved one. Later, alongside facilitator MarilynDunn, the group have created mosaic “stepping stones” whichplot the course of grief and recovery.

SoLOur SOL children’s group was one of the first FFP groupsto employ creativity as a way to offer insight into the innerworld. In 2008 group facilitator Marilyn Dunn led thechildren, impacted by a parent’s drug and alcohol ormental health issues, many of whom were placed in thecare of their grandparents as a result, on a journey,exploring the colours of their inner world. The Sol canvasis the result. Since this time, SOL have also been involvedin a joint photography program with University of theThird Age (2011) as well as using art to explore theirstrengths and social support (2014).

“Creativity amongst what at times is chaos in our lives can be adifficult feat, especially for those starting out in this group. Our

shared discussions are sometimes hard, sometimes humorous,sometimes inspiring. But what connects this group is the

shared journey, of love, of suffering, and from that growth.

The positive strength garlands came out of this group as anatural progression to highlight that in all the chaos there are

still moments of hope, of strength, of positivity and beauty. Wehave three rules- give it a try, don’t say can’t (creatively), andonly talk positive about your own and others creative pieces.

Over time these positive garlands grew, they took up more

than just physical space, they marked the group with a senseof connectedness to hope, to see the mass of positive

moments amongst the chaos was a beautiful thing, and aninspiration. They marked the strength we possess and began alife of their own. They created new lenses- to reflect on at theweek’s end - “what was one positive moment this week?”. At

first it was hard, but as the mass of the garlands grew theeasier it became.

It’s now been over 5 years since I left this group as facilitatorand it continues to flourish. The community, the family, theyhave created is simply beautiful. I remember coming back in

2018 and being so overwhelmed with joy seeing the physicianpresence (the garlands) of this groups strength that it brought

me to tears. like the people who drew, cut, painted, and pastedtogether each and every one of those garlands- they are a trueinspiration- of the strength one can grow if given the tools and

means to do so”

Julieanne Lowe - Art 4 Healing Facilitator

Ohana Inc. In 2008 the Ohana Inc. support group was established byJayne Wilson to assist members of the NSW Police cope

with the impact of their service to the community.Throughout 2009, Jayne invited Jacqueline Cavallero to run

a series of workshops with the group using art to explorethe impact of trauma. Members were encouraged to collectmaterials to use and create a work of art telling the story of

an incident which impacted them. These works werecreated in monthly sessions over the course of 12 months.

Shared SentenceShared Sentence is our support group for families with a lovedone in gaol or in contact with the criminal justice system. Thename of the group reflects the shared impacts of incarcerationand crime. In 2014 we explored this experience with the families,asking them to collect materials which represented theirexperience and create a sculpture over the course of a month.The works show; “the separation, isolation and discomfort of aprison visit” and the lives lived; “always under a cloud, notknowing what the future holds”

Express Yourselfexpress yourself is our 8-session adolescent program

where teens can build positive relationships and exploretheir creativity and potential. Express Yourself usescreativity and group work to help teens understand

themselves, explore their potential and build positivesocial connections. In the program we map their village,explore feelings, acknowledge strengths and put this all

together in a helpful way; having fun along the way

Jayne WilsonMemorial ArtsCompetition andExhibition FFP Founder Jayne Wilson loved creativity,which is why art features in so many of ourprograms! Each year the FFP host a MemorialExhibition and Competition in her honour. In order to celebrate Jayne’s service to the localcommunity an annual art competition andexhibition was established in her honour.The annual exhibition is organised in conjunctionwith the Wilson family, who judge the winning entry in the Wilson Family Award- for the workwhich best represents Ms Wilson. “We wanted to involve the community inhonouring Jayne’s legacy; she loved art andused it frequently in our support groups andprograms, so this was a way we could combinethese elements and celebrate her passion forfamily, recovery and hospitality”Marilyn Dunn, FFP Team Leader Since it’s inception in 2015 the MemorialExhibition has grown to receive entries from allover Australia from professional and hobbyartists, inmates, school students and therapeuticart group participants. All of these works are hung together in acelebration of creativity centered around a yearlytheme chosen by the FFP team. Each year a Feature Artist is chosen to exhibit abody of work within the exhibition.

“Straight away, there was a sense of

inclusiveness; of being able to contribute. Shehelped me see that, yes, I can do this. When

someone else recognises what you do, there’ssomething very powerful about that; it takes you

out of that lonely bubble. Jayne wanted you to bethe best version of who you are. I was committedfrom day one. She helped me feel like I could go

into this creative world”

2016 Feature Artist – John Kennedy

“Every year there are so many more beautifulentries and I think it’s an awesome tribute to the

legacy Jayne left to the Illawarra and the artworld. The exhibition is building to a major

showcase of the enormous talent in our regionand the equally enormous role art plays in the

healing process”

2017 Wilson Family Award Winner and 2019Feature Artist – Gennifer Anderson

2019 Feature Artist - Gennifer Anderson

I am captivated by the randomarrangements of nature and theconcept of belonging. My workinvestigates connecting to othersthrough creativity. My works arethe depiction of memories ofemotion, time and place. As a ‘constructor’ of art I build in layers usinga wide variety of media including acrylic, oil,sand, paper, shells, found objects and resinwith resin being part of the artwork and theglue that holds the work together. Resinenriches the colour and protects the workwith a glass like coat. It also allows megreater freedom to experiment with media,supports and surface preparation. Since completing the Diploma of Visual Artsat West Wollongong TAFE in 2013 I haveexhibited work throughout the Illawarra andhave been awarded a First and a Secondplace at the Albion Park Show (2015/2016).I have public art commission works at theShellharbour Hospital Ambulatory CareCentre and the Wollongong Arts Precinct. After winning the Jayne Wilson Memorial artprize in 2016 I was Feature Artist in 2019.During this exhibition I lead a diverse groupof people through the creative process tocreate a public piece which will feature in theexhibition at Wollongong City Gallery titled‘To Everything There is a Season’ openingon the 6th June 2019*.

I have recently joined the RenewWollongong initiative and opened a gallery

‘Gennifer Anderson Art’ in the Crown StreetMall Wollongong. Gennifer Anderson Art is

a studio/gallery designed to encourageparticipation from a wide variety of

creatives in an open and welcomingenvironment. Being situated in a highlyvisible space encourages the public to

freely experience art in many formats andget a closer look at the creative process.

Art is a great source of joy for me that Ishare with others. I spend every spare

minute in the studio or working oncommunity projects.

*This project was made possible by a Ward - Based Arts

Grant.

“ Recognising the untapped power within, orunfulfilled gifts and talents we have, the available

energy and unused success we have ignored,unlocking this potential can translate into all you

can become and all you want to be.

Imagine if we tapped into our full potential, whatour day, our community, our family and even the

world would be like.

If we were living to our full potential, exposing thedivinely deposited dream in our heart, just how

high would we fly?”

Jayne WIlson