As Of March 21st, We Have Relocated To: 2254 San Diego Ave. San Diego, CA 92110

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LGBTQIA+ Expressive Arts Group

Group: LGBTQIA+ Expressive Arts Group

  • Facilitator: Lina Hong, ASW (Supervised by Leah Mitchell, LCSW)
  • When: TBD
  • Location: In person here at FWC 2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305; San Diego, CA 92108

Total number of sessions: 9

Min/Max clients to run group: 3-12 (not required to attend weekly since it’s a workshop; you can choose which one to attend or to attend all!)
Who: For anyone who is interested in attending and/or identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community
Cost: $40 per session or $35 per session if you pay for all up front (total of $315); cost includes price of materials/art supplies
*Please note that this is a skills-based workshop and not a psychotherapy group. As such, this group should not be construed as therapy.
Sign Up For This Workshop
Join Freedom Within Center’s very first LGBTQIA+ Expressive Arts Group! Dive into a world of self-expression and exploration through the use of art and creativity. Each meeting, you’ll be invited to engage in artistic activities to help explore your identity, experiences, and emotions. Embrace the expression of your identity in a safe space that allows you to focus on the therapeutic and self-expressive aspects of the creative process. You will have time and space to discuss, reflect, and share the meanings and emotions behind your artwork with other group members in a safe space. Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot now! Session fee includes cost for materials provided.

Goals of the Workshops:

These groups are intended to provide a safe and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to explore and express their identities and experiences, foster creativity and self-expression through artistic mediums, promote emotional healing and resilience, build connections and a sense of community, challenge stereotypes, and promote LGBTQIA+ visibility and acceptance through art.

Are these groups right for me?

This is a place to be YOU and feel a sense of belonging. Leave any judgment or shame behind and be around others who want to express themselves in ways that feel right to them. You don’t have to be an artist, this group is for anyone who just wants to tap into the creative side of themselves. Tapping into art and creativity can help unleash trapped emotions and allow you to process things in a healthy way. Leave feeling lighter, more connected to yourself, and at ease.

Weekly Topics:

  • Week 1 Collages: Exploring Identity Through Collage
  • Week 2 Pride Flags: Crafting Identity, Piece by Piece
  • Week 3 Personal Narrative Journals: From Pages to Pride
  • Week 4 Community Mural Project: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Diversity and Resilience through Unity in Color
  • Week 5 Body Mapping: Embracing and Celebrating Every Curve
  • Week 6 “Oh Shit” Kit: Crafting Resilience
  • Week 7 Resilience Stones: Stones of Pride
  • Week 8 Exploring Intersectionality Through Artful Masks: Identity Unmasked
  • Week 9 Photography Project: Empowering Self-Expression Through Photography

Week 1: Collages: Exploring Identity Through Collage

Date: TBD
Where: 2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305 San Diego, CA 92108
What: Join us in creating artistic collages representing different aspects of our identities, including gender, sexuality, culture, and personal experiences. You’re encouraged to reflect on the meanings and symbolism behind your chosen images and materials!
Sign Up For Week 1 Workshop
Sign Up For All 9 Workshop

Week 2: Pride Flags: Crafting Identity, Piece by Piece

Date: TBD
Where: 2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305 San Diego, CA 92108
What: This week, create your own interpretation of a pride flag that represents their unique identities or experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community. We will engage in discussion about the symbolism and significance of pride flags and how they can reflect the diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Sign Up For Week 2 Workshop
Sign Up For All 9 Workshop

Week 3: Personal Narrative Journals: From Pages to Pride

Date: TBD
Where: 2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305 San Diego, CA 92108
What: This week we will create visual journals or sketchbooks to document our personal narratives, experiences, and reflections as LGBTQIA+ individuals. You are encouraged to incorporate a variety of artistic techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, writing, and mixed media to express yourself using provided prompts/themes including identity, coming out, resilience, activism, and community!
Sign Up For Week 3 Workshop
Sign Up For All 9 Workshop

Week 4: Community Mural Project: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Diversity and Resilience through Unity in Color

Date: TBD
Where: 2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305 San Diego, CA 92108
What: Our activity this week is to collaborate and create a large-scale mural that celebrates the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. Feel free to contribute your artistic talents to different sections of the mural, incorporating symbols, images, and messages that represent various aspects of LGBTQIA+ identity and experience.
Sign Up For Week 4 Workshop
Sign Up For All 9 Workshop

Week 5: Body Mapping: Embracing and Celebrating Every Curve

Date: TBD
Where: 2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305 San Diego, CA 92108
What: This week we will use body mapping as a creative tool to explore and celebrate our bodies and identities. We will facilitate a discussion about body image, self-acceptance, and empowerment within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Sign Up For Week 5 Workshop
Sign Up For All 9 Workshop

Week 6: “Oh Shit” Kit: Crafting Resilience

Date: TBD
Where: 2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305 San Diego, CA 92108
What: Join us in discussing coping skills we use and would like to learn to assist in times of stress and emotional dysregulation. Together we will create “Oh Shit” kits to help remind us of the tools and skills available to us in times of turmoil.
Sign Up For Week 6 Workshop
Sign Up For All 9 Workshop

Week 7: Resilience Stones: Stones of Pride

Date: TBD
Where: 2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305 San Diego, CA 92108
What: This week, we will decorate small stones/rocks with LGBTQIA+ pride colors, affirmations, symbols, and more to represent our identities. Once decorated, these stones are yours to keep as a tangible reminder of your resilience and connection to community.
Sign Up For Week 7 Workshop
Sign Up For All 9 Workshop

Week 8: Exploring Intersectionality Through Artful Masks: Identity Unmasked

Date: TBD
Where: 2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305 San Diego, CA 92108
What: We invite you this week tol create masks that represent the intersections of all aspects of your identity such as race, ethnicity, culture, gender, religion, and more. We will also engage in discussion about the intersections of identity and the importance of embracing and honoring all aspects of oneself.
Sign Up For Week 8 Workshop
Sign Up For All 9 Workshop

Week 9: Photography Project: Empowering Self-Expression Through Photography

Date: TBD
Where: 2650 Camino del Rio N Suite 305 San Diego, CA 92108
What: In our final meeting, we encourage you to explore themes of body positivity, self-acceptance, and empowerment through self portrait or portrait photography (cameras or smartphones can be used). We will engage in discussion together about body image, beauty standards. and representation in the LGBTQIA+ community. Together we will explore how photography can be a tool for reclaiming agency and visibility in the world.
Sign Up For Week 9 Workshop
Sign Up For All 9 Workshop
We look forward to working with you…
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As Of March 21st, We Have Relocated To: 2254 San Diego Ave. San Diego, CA 92110

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Wednesday April 30th, 2025 4:30-6:30pm
2254 San Diego Ave San Diego CA 92110
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