Art Provides a Safe Space for Healing
Using Art to Create Something Beautiful, and Overcome Life’s Challenges
Blayze Buseth teaches pottery throwing on the wheel to the men of Matthew House.
Back in July, the residents of Matthew House were given a wonderful opportunity to embark on an 8-week pottery class taught by Blayze Buseth of The Creation Shop. During this class, our men worked closely with Blayze. He taught them to throw pots, get creative with different methods and styles and even use the potter’s wheel. For others, some worked on creating cross sculptures while others used their talents to paint directly on a vessel to make impressive designs.
One of the residents Eddie commented on the experience, “I have never tried it before but it was a lot of fun.” Another Matthew House home member Damascus explained that “Working with clay made me feel calm.”
Art provides a safe space to be creative and live mindfully in the moments. For Blayze, he believes that in creativity is the peace troubled minds are often seeking, and since humans are inherently creative, this workshop has allowed them to explore and be happy about doing it.
The most rewarding thing for Blayze when teaching the class is something he has been lucky enough to witness with each week. “It’s fun to see that they all have these friendships and relationships with the others” he notes. “When they come in here with their energies, it makes it a happy place to be.” Adam, another participant, echoed Blayze’s words by saying “It gives me something to look forward to each week.”
Clay sculptures created by the men from Matthew House.
As we know and as we have witnessed firsthand, art is more than a class—it provides a safe place for the mind and for people to explore their feelings, emotions, traumas, self-worth, and so much more. By utilizing art and learning additional methods of it, it can help to create new coping mechanisms, manage addictions, relieve stress—all of which are some of the most important parts in the process of recovery.
Blayze Buseth, Professional Sculpture and Visual Artist