Community event uses art to help grieving children

Through a guided painting session and a packet of cookies, community organizers hope to teach area children that art can be a great outlet for grief.

UnityPoint Health Hospice, in partnership with Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids, is hosting an event later this year that aims to teach children that art can be a good tool to express their emotions following the death of a loved one.

Virtual Cookies and Canvas will take place on Saturday, Nov. 6 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The event — which is free for anyone to attend — will be hosted over Zoom because of COVID-19.

Each registrant at the virtual event will create a painting of a koala guided by an instructor from Cork N’ Canvas Iowa. Around the midpoint of the morning, participants also will get the chance to enjoy a package of cookies provided by event organizers.

Though the event is targeted toward children, parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate as well in order to help provide families with resources as they go through the grieving process, said Jamie Siela, UnityPoint Health Hospice coordinator.

“Our purpose is to build children’s and family’s grief toolbox,” Siela said. “We want to expose them to as many coping mechanisms as possible.”

In addition, Siela said it’s important for children and families to connect with others who have also experienced the loss of a loved one.

“It’s an opportunity to be with people who are also grieving and learning how to grieve,” she said. “It can help with learning about the process and the normal aspects of grief and what can come with that.”

Grief programs hosted by UnityPoint Hospice is open to all ages. Siela said the typical age range for their participants is ages 7 to 16.

Throughout the year, they also host other events to teach kids about other coping mechanisms, such as pet therapy or lessons on mindfulness as part of an effort to provide ongoing support.

“For a lot of kids, this may be the first loss they’ve experienced,” she said.

Community organizers have hosted Cookies and Canvas in the past, but this is only the second year that the event was held virtually.

Because Virtual Cookies and Canvas will be hosted over Zoom, there’s no cap on the number of registrants who can participate, Siela said. They’ll also need access to an electronic device to participate, such as a computer or tablet.

However, families need to register in advance. Those interested in attending the event should call UnityPoint Hospice at (319) 369-7744 or sign-up by emailing jamie.siela@unitypoint.org.

Individuals also can reach out if they want to learn more about Virtual Cookies and Canvas.

Comments: (319) 398-8469; michaela.ramm@thegazette.com