On view at LeMoyne Arts from Thursday, May 23 to Saturday, June 29″From Grief to Grace” , featuring the works of Paula Gaspirini-Santos, depicts the psychological and relational experience of grief. Through her paintings and poetry, Gaspirini-Santos explores grief as the meeting of the unknown, not exclusive to loss through death, but rather the thing that occurs within us when life changes and we meet fear at the edge of the unknown. When chapters close, when relationships end, when we meet death and loss, when we are faced with choices and sacrifices–all of it requires us to have intimacy with grief.Through visual exploration and poetry, this exhibition invites the audience into a dialogue, self reflection, and expression of their own grief. The artist believes that one’s ability to become intimate with grief is equal to one’s ability to be deeply alive in the world. She wants through these works to challenge the notion that grief is reserved for death and dying, but instead that grief is essential for creation and beginnings. What the caterpillar sees as the end, the artist sees as the butterfly.
OPENING RECEPTION Thursday, May 23 | 5:30pm-7:00pm Live music performed by Madison Avery Light food and beverage provided by Chicken Salad Chick, DEEP Brewing Co., and Distillery 98Grief Witness HoursDuring the Opening Reception of this exhibit, Thursday, May 23, there will be an opportunity to sign up for a special 1-on-1 session with the artist. Paula Gaspirini-Santos, who is also a licensed mental health counselor, will be hosting “Grief Witness Hours” where she will sit with those who need a listening ear for their pain to be shared and witnessed through poetry.Grief Witnessing is an art experiential, where for 20 minutes you will sit in privacy with the artist to share a burden that weighs heavy on your heart. As you share, the artist will be witnessing you through poetry using only your own words. When you are done sharing your grief, the artist will present to you a reflection of your pain written up through poetry. You may take this poem with you, or add it to the “Words Left Unsaid” letters up on exhibition.**********************************************************************************************
Be Part of our Installation Piece: “Words Left Unsaid”Have there been moments when you wished you could express your deepest grief, thoughts, forgiveness, love, fears, and desires to someone, but lacked the courage to do so? During the exhibit “From Grief to Grace” the artist will be creating an installation piece to create an opportunity for our community to engage with grief work through poetry and letters. We encourage you to become a part of this installation piece and anonymously share the words you have left unsaid. Bring your letters in-person, email it to chloe@lemoyne.org, or mail it to the Gallery. There will also be the opportunity and space to write a letter at the Gallery during exhibit hours.
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