Healing Children with Creativity at Child Center~Marygrove

Behind the brushstrokes, there are stories of violence, abuse, and neglect; there are stories of emotions that just couldn't be controlled; and stories of loneliness and anger.

But between the shaded lines of chalk, outside the precise etchings in pencil, amid the seemingly haphazard distribution of magazine images and tissue, you cannot see the stories. They are hidden somewhere deeper than the eye can penetrate.

Dawn Johnson knows. She knows their background and their struggles. She knows how the children have arrived at Child Center~Marygrove and how difficult their lives have been. But Dawn is not a therapist. She's an art teacher. She channels their pain, their hardships, and their emotions into something beautiful.

"I know that they are struggling in there," Dawn said, referring to the hearts and minds of her students. "But in this classroom they can feel free. Even if they are struggling academically in their other classes, in art class they can feel good about themselves and what they can do."

Director of Educational Services, Wendy Pikula said, "The art program is much more than just making pictures. It's a therapeutic process."

Dawn begins each class by leading the kids in a demonstration of what they will create. She flexes her artistic muscles, while the students follow along.

"My father was an artist, so I've always been interested in art," Dawn said. "In here, I get to make art and help kids make their own art. For me, it's a perfect job."

Dawn's passion and dedication is rewarded by the commitment of her students.

"All of the kids look forward to art class," Wendy said with a smile. "Once they get in there, they are quiet and focused, which can be rare with our students. We call Dawn's room the Peace Room."

To help develop this tranquility, Dawn plays classical music from a small stereo in front of the class. She believes music helps to calm the children.

"The music is very steady and soothing," Dawn said. "There aren't lyrics to distract the kids. I've tried other types of music like gospel and jazz. But jazz is so jumpy, the kids get a little too lively."

Controlling the level of the class is an important aspect of Dawn's work. With many children suffering from behavioral and emotional conditions, maintaining a safe and constructive workspace is vital to the success of the program. Dawn approaches this actively.

"I don't ever sit down. I'm never behind the desk. I'm always walking around the room, staying close to the kids as they work."

Dawn's personal, one-on-one touch provides guidance for a very diverse group of students. Since the art program works with residents as well as students from Special School District of St. Louis County, Dawn's classroom can be made up of children ranging from eight to fifteen years-old.

"I try to explain projects in simple ways at first to the whole class. Then I can walk around and work with the children who need closer attention."

By creating these works of art, the children receive blessings on many levels.

"I want the kids to take pride in what they do," Dawn said. "It's a real self-esteem booster. A lot of them start with the feeling that this is too hard to do, but when you work with them and they finish a piece, they are so happy. They can show it off to staff and visitors. Many of the kids suffer from low self-esteem because of their backgrounds, and for them to feel good about something they've made is really a blessing."

In a recent visit to the class, Archbishop Burke recognized the impact of the program.

"(The artwork is) very creative and helpful for the young people to get through the difficulties they have," he said. "It's very well-done."

As Christmas approaches, there is even more motivation for the children. Dawn helps them make presents for their families or a member of the staff they feel very close to.

"I pick up supplies so we can make gift baskets. The kids can make baskets with spa items or cosmetics like lip gloss. If it's for someone on staff I tell the student to ask the employee what their favorite color is so we can make something in that color. The kids get really involved."

In the end, much of the artwork decorates the walls of Child Center~Marygrove in a place they call Gallerie M. Visitors can walk through and marvel at the fun, colorful, and sometimes striking artwork the children create. And although these spectators may never know the true depths of each tiny artist in Dawn's classroom, it doesn't matter. The small amount of release and gratification the children receive from these pieces is reward enough.