Upcoming Events
The Art of Grieving Festival 2022
Exhibition
Private View 26th May
Open 27th May - 4th Sept 2022
St Albans Museum + Gallery
(Free admission)
Zellerhaus Art and The Art of Grieving present
The Art of Grieving film
Sunday 19th June at The SandPit Theatre, St Albans
This amazing documentary follows artist Preston Zeller, who feels compelled to take on a year-long creative project after the sudden death of his 35 year old brother. Preston decides to create an intuitive abstract painting every day for 365 days as a way to process his grief and he shares the ups and downs of this momentous challenge in the film.
This award winning and thought provoking film also addresses why Western culture is so poor at dealing with grief and explores whether art can help.
Following the screening there will be a Q & A with filmmaker and artist, Preston Zeller and clinical director of the Art Therapy Project, Lindsay Lederman.
Profit from the screening will be donated to Rennie Grove Hospice Care.
Good Grief
Ugly Bucket Theatre
Ugly Bucket and The Art of Grieving present
Good Grief
8pm Wednesday 20th July 2022 at the Abbey Theatre, St Albans
A dying man’s last wish: for his friends to create a show about death. 'It’s fast, it’s funny and it plumbs the emotional depths exquisitely... exciting, innovative work' - The Stage
Featured by BBC Stories, Good Grief is a paranormal physical performance of loss, and the memories left behind, brought to you by ‘one of the UK’s most exciting young theatre companies’ – New Diorama.
Profit from the performance will be donated to Rennie Grove Hospice Care and The Ollie Foundation.
The Ollie Foundation and The Art of Grieving present:
Finding Magic
by Beverley Bishop
Friday 5th August at the Trestle Arts Base Theatre, St Albans
Do you believe in Magic?
This amazingly poignant and unique show, which has been to the Edinburgh Fringe, was created by Beverley about her journey with grief following the death of her son, Jess Fairweather, who took his own life in October 2018, aged 20.
In October 2020 Beverley said, “Finding Magic is about my ups and downs and the grief process so far, but it’s also broader than that it’s about finding life force, finding magic and looking at what it is that makes us feel alive. ''
C Arts said 'Equal parts moving and magical, Finding Magic is a story of loss, longing, love and laughter.'
Book now by clicking on the date you wish to attend
What is a Death Cafe?
At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. The objective is to offer an accessible, respectful and confidential space for discussion of this subject 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'.
A Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session.
The Death Cafes movement has spread quickly across Europe, North America and Australasia - since September 2011 there have been 13569 Death Cafes in 81 countries.
To learn more about Death Cafes visit www.deathcafe.com
Zentangle
Sunday 21st August 2:30-4pm
The session will be at St Albans Museum + Gallery
As part of The Art of Grieving Festival 2022 The Ollie Foundation is facilitating a Zentangle session. The session will provide 90 minutes of calm where, regardless of artistic ability, participants can enjoy creating a unique and beautiful piece of art. Through their work, participants will consider that there are no mistakes, only opportunities, that we are all unique and we can all create something beautiful. No artistic skills are needed for this mindful art session that offers relaxation, connection and a metaphor for life.
The Art of Grieving presents
FIVE DAYS TO SAY GOODBYE
by Beverley Bishop
Saturday 6th August 2.30pm at the St Albans Museum + Gallery
Five Days To Say Goodbye is a 20 minute screenplay based on Beverley Bishop's final days with her son Jess in the funeral home. In Beverley's words 'It is a story of love, loss and life after tragedy. It is a story I felt the need to tell, in the hope that it would help others.'
'Five Days to Say Goodbye impacted me in a powerful way. I cried and I smiled as Beverley remembered and paid tribute to Jess, while seeking to understand and respect the decision he made. I truly believe the film will have a positive impact on the lives of others who watch it. A moving and powerful testimony.'
David Richardson, Vice Chancellor, UEA
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion.
Art of Grieving
Workshops
These 'Tree of Life' workshops are for everyone - participants do not need to be artistic. The workshops will be in a creative and supportive setting, led by an art therapist.
The workshop uses the image of a tree to tell a life-story. Starting with the roots, participants will use art making to make their own tree. Each person in the group will make a unique tree, which captures them and the important people in their lives. The Tree of Life is a hopeful way to think about challenges and experiences in your life and to spend time reflecting on your strengths and personal resources.
Each of the one day workshops will be held in St Albans. Either at the Learning Studio in St Albans Museum + Gallery or at Grove House.
For more information about the sessions and to book please click on the date you wish to attend.
