Media Relations
William Woods University

When life seems unbearable, create something. When struggling under what seems a mountain of stress, create something. That's what the William Woods University Art Club attempts to accomplish with art therapy.

 

Sunday, April 15, the WWU art club, known as T.A.G. (Thriving Artists Group), teamed up with the Central Missouri Dream Factory chapter to offer art therapy for Dream Factory children. WWU art students designed multiple crafts and assisted the children and their families in constructing their projects.

 

For a couple of hours, the children worked to create paper flowers and paint vases from recycled water bottles. Their WWU art buddies also traced their bodies and helped them write cheerful and encouraging sayings inside their tracings.

 

Participating WWU art students were Jessica Bargate, Erica Begley, Cristina Christianson, Meghan Greenwalt, Cassie Kennedy and Jamie Lanagan.  In addition, Jennifer Sain, art club adviser; her daughter, Ellie; and Terry Martin, professor of art, accompanied the group. Leigh Rice, a WWU student and Dream Factory volunteer, also helped with the event.

 

Four University of Missouri organizations, the Little Sisters of the Pearls and Rubies, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Kappa Theta and Beta Sigma Psi, assisted with the event.

 

The Dream Factory is a national volunteer organization that works to fulfill dreams for critically and chronically ill children between the ages of 3 and18. With the help of generous donations and a variety of fundraisers, the organization fulfills dreams for children and their families.

 

To remain in touch after their dreams, the organization conducts multiple events throughout the year for the children and their families to attend. These include annual Halloween and Christmas parties, a Royals game, and other games and activities.

                                                           

The Dream Factory is the only dream-fulfilling organization that works to create dreams for both critically and chronically ill children.

 

The main goal of the organization is to acknowledge that each of these children and their families have to endure an overwhelming regimen of doctor visits, hospital stays and medical challenges.  The organization strives to reduce the stress the child and family face.

 

"We really appreciate the selfless work the WWU Art Club did to bring this project to the kids of the Dream Factory. The kids had a really great time interacting with the students on a one-on-one level. The vase project gave them the opportunity to create something they might not have had the opportunity to experience otherwise," said Michelle Windmoeller, president of the Central Missouri Dream Factory chapter.

 

The Dream Factory provided snacks and drinks for the children, families and volunteers, and the Little Sisters of the Pearls and Rubies set up various stations for face painting, finger painting and other activities.

 

The children also worked with their Greek buddies to design cards with uplifting words. The fraternities and sororities will take the cards and vases to local nursing homes and hospitals.

 

The Dream Factory Art Event was one of a series of art therapy events the WWU Art Club has conducted this year.  In November, the art club traveled to Joplin, Mo., to bring art therapy to members of the community to help them cope with the F-5 tornado that tore apart their city in May. They have also conducted art therapy projects at various hospitals.

 

"I have noticed that when creativity flows, it is hard to be depressed. Friends share creative time and life is good," said Martin, who sponsored the event.

 

"The art club loves any opportunity to share our love of creating with others. It was a amazing experience to watch each member, and all those who volunteered, connect with and inspire a child in some way. I think art really brings people together and this was so evident that afternoon."

CUTLINES:
T.A.G. members help Dream Factory children with crafts.

Erica Begley works with a youngster on his project.

Jamie Lanagan "goofs off," much to the delight of the young boy she was assisting.

Amanda Coehoorn helps a young girl with her project.