PRESS RELEASE: May 5, 2009 For Immediate Release

Delaware Hospice’s Family Support Center held its first annual Children’s Expressive Art Grief Workshop on Saturday, April 25th, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford.

Directed by Lezley Sexton, LPCMH, NCC, New Hope Coordinator, and Lorraine Hudson, Professional Artist, the goal of this workshop was to allow children to explore their grief in a safe environment by using the medium of art.

Activities began with a get-acquainted snack time and a nature walk to find items from nature to incorporate into their art project. Lezley Sexton said, “We talked about their loss, and we emphasized how to grieve in a healthy way with happy memories and the awareness of what that loved one meant to each of them.”

The reason for an art workshop is that children often find it easier to express their feelings of grief through artwork.

Lorraine Hudson guided the children in creating their projects. She said, “Each child worked with their hands to create a mixed media collage with a combination of paints and items that we collected. The purpose was to bring out feelings from within in this unique, freestyle form. They had total choice of color and items which they place on a special foam board. The completed work of art was then placed under a black light which magnificently brightened the colors and brought such joy and smiles to every child.”
Delaware Hospice’s Family Support Center supports you to reinvest in life. To learn more about lectures, retreats, workshops, or Lifeworks counseling service, call Vicki Costa, 302-856-7717, ext. 1129, or visit: www.delawarehospice.org.

Artist Lorraine Hudson helps Spring Vacey of Milford put the finishing touches on her painting.

Media Contact: Bev Crowl, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 302-547-1816.

About Delaware Hospice
Since 1982, Delaware Hospice has provided exceptional care and support to 30,000 patients and their families. Its mission is to help each patient, each day, live the fullest, most comfortable life possible. Delaware Hospice is the largest and only licensed, nonprofit, community-based hospice serving New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware and southern Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania. For more information about Delaware Hospice’s programs and services, upcoming events, or employment opportunities, call 800-838-9800 or visit our website, www.delawarehospice.org.