Michelle Jackett, Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement Coordinator, reflects on the importance of artistic expressions of healing spaces in the latest edition of Grebel Now. As the Grebel Gallery prepared to welcome a new exhibit this May, Michelle shared her thoughts and insights on modes of community healing, story-telling, and the importance of trauma-informed spaces as part of regular community life.
The upcoming exhibit, “Not Traumatic Enough for a Shock Blanket” created by Yasmeen Nematt Alla, explores the ways in which trauma is experienced and discussed, with the central theme revolving around how those who feel unworthy of their trauma express and share themselves. The exhibit focuses on creating space for trauma, using infamous bright orange shock blankets inscribed with testimonies to wrap and heal those who visit.
Both Yasmeen’s exhibit and Michelle’s article challenge the community to discuss the ways in which we can provide spaces for trauma-informed healing. While Yasmeen’s exhibit has not yet been able to open at the Grebel Gallery in light of the global health crisis, the importance for society as a whole to proactively hold space for trauma and healing in this time is increasingly apparent.
Visit Grebel Now’s online publication to read Michelle’s article and learn more about the upcoming exhibit.