Over the summer, Sonia ’26 organized workshops for artists and community members affected by the Palisades Fire to find healing through creativity. The fires displaced numerous families and caused widespread emotional trauma, leaving many residents struggling to process the loss of their homes and neighborhood. In response, Sonia ’26 helped create a program where participants could express themselves while connecting with others with similar experiences.
As part of her internship with A Window Between Worlds (AWBW), a nonprofit dedicated to using art as a tool for healing trauma, Sonia ’26 was able to provide a creative outlet for those who were affected in her community. The group gathered at the Santa Monica Airport Art Studios to participate in creative activities while fostering a supportive community.
“I have always loved art and am so glad that it is being used for healing,” Sonia ’26 said. “I chose to work with AWBW because I strongly believe in the power of their work in using art to transform trauma.”
The workshop ran for four weeks during the summer, with one session each week on Tuesday evenings in July and August. Each meeting began with an opening circle, where attendees were invited to share their thoughts, feelings, inspirations and intentions for that evening’s session. Participants then spent time immersed in their chosen art forms, ranging from acrylic painting on canvas to mixed-media collages. A wide variety of art supplies were provided, allowing attendees to experiment with different techniques and materials in a supportive environment.
Every workshop offered six open slots for participants, and almost all of them were filled throughout the summer. Each event ended with a closing circle for reflection, allowing attendees to discuss what they created and how the process made them feel.
“I learned a lot about how to facilitate meaningful conversations, hold space for big emotions and even how to lead a group-guided meditation,” Sonia ’26 said.
Planning the workshops was itself a collaborative effort. Sonia ’26 spent the early summer clearing out old artwork at the studio and meeting constantly with AWBW’s founder, the workshop’s co-leader and the studio owner. Because the creative recovery pod was a pilot program, its impact reaches beyond just the summer meetings. AWBW is currently writing a grant with the hope of expanding the concept of Sonia ’26’s workshops into a larger-scale workshop series. For those who attended this summer, the pod provided more than just a chance to paint or collage.
“It was such a wonderful and collaborative experience planning the workshop,” Sonia ’26 said.
