A Shippensburg University psychology major hosted “Voices of Resilience” for individuals to relax and express their own stories about overcoming hardships through art last Wednesday.  

Senior Angel Sauer organized the event with the goal of creating a safe space for other students to learn about different art mediums that were workshopped during the hour it ran. 

Over the summer, Sauer attended the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Women’s Leadership Conservatorium. There, she learned a wide variety of skills that she would then have to apply to an event. 

“This is what I wanted to do. ‘Voices of Resilience’ is letting people tell their story and different creative outlooks and giving them opportunities to build a community on campus,” Sauer said.  

Several different art-related activities were offered, including drawing, painting and knitting, with separate tables for journaling and making a vision board. 

The evening also consisted of developing those techniques to eventually craft a project that tells a story based on the event’s themes. Along with resilience, there was an emphasis on the values of diversity, mental health awareness and women’s leadership. 

Different campus groups were there to talk about their experiences relating to the themes of the event. These groups included the Art Club, Feminists of Shippensburg, Latino Student Organization, Pride and Gender Equity Center, D.I.V.A.S., National Alliance on Mental Illness and Psi Chi. There was also a table by the door with information on the wellness center, as well as stickers supporting mental health awareness. 

Not only was there a focus on sharing a specific narrative, but Sauer also wanted individuals to learn the importance of relieving stress through art.

Sauer opened up about her own struggles with bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder. She shared that art has helped her through difficult times and how being able to express herself allowed her to power through, demonstrating resilience. 

Sauer said, “During the years of college, I've gone through hospitalization, medication trials, all the works of having a mental illness and disorder, and each step taught me a valuable lesson of resilience, and I had to teach that myself.”

One activity set up for relaxation had a psychological element, with students practicing neurographic art at the painting table. Teaching the technique was Sara Swacina, an adjunct art professor. 

Swacina said neurographic art started in 2014 when a Russian psychologist provided the activity to his patients to calm down. It involves drawing lines on paper or canvas from one edge to another, thickening them where they intersect to represent neurons, and then painting in between the lines. 

In reflecting on the event’s theme, Swacina said that demonstrating resilience was a part of life. 

“There's tons of times throughout life that you just experience so much, and I think life is so much about how you handle the difficulties and get through them,” Swacina said. “It builds your character, then use that to help somebody else, and just having grace for others because you know that we're all going through something.” 

As attendees considered the themes of the event, the small community of SU student artists and creative-minded individuals who came took advantage of all the opportunities provided, including participating in the art workshops, interacting with different campus clubs and taking home supplies. 

SU student Alarice Huff participated because she found out about the activities as a member of the art club and agreed with the message Sauer was sharing. 

“I just really believe in the power of art to calm your nerves. I had a test today and I really needed a break, so I came and I had fun,” Huff said. 

Overall, Sauer was proud of the campus community support she received in planning and hosting the event. 

“So many departments have helped me put this together and spread it out, so I was not expecting that much support, but it just warmed my heart to really get that from this school,” Sauer said. 

Sauer is accepting photography, painting and drawing submissions that highlight the four values of the event for a gallery. Submissions must be turned in to her by Nov. 17, with the gallery opening on Nov. 22 in the Huber Art Center. 

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