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the voice oF the abingtons abingtonsuburban.com | February 23, 2017
The Festival of Ice brought many to Clarks Summit |PAGE 7
A local company made a donation to the animal shelter |PAGE 12
A Clarks Summit student’s artwork won an award |PAGE 14
PAintinG your loss 10-week class uses art to deal with grief
by Teri Lyon
was Chris Calvey’s brainchild,” Chibirka said. The program was recognized by the SPeCiAL To THe AbinGTon SUbUrbAn the National Funeral Directors Association as a meaningful and supportive “Art is a wound turned into light.” — venue and was awarded the National George Braque Pursuit of Excellence Award in 2016. The Marylou Chibirka not only believes group continues to support the class. those words, she lives them. The local, Chibirka stressed that no previous art privately commissioned, professional portrait artist is about to do an encore of her experience is necessary to take the classes. “We are looking for beginners,” she successful “Good Grief Art: Learn to Paint said. “They don’t need to know how to through Your Loss” program for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved paint. I’m there for them every step of the way.” one or pet. The instructor said the end result is Beginning Wednesday, March 1, the less about producing a perfect work of 10-week program will feature classes art and more about providing an eternal every Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at bond between the artist and the perthe Abington Senior Community Censon or pet who has passed on. Having ter, 1151 Winola Road, Clarks Summit. experienced this herself when she painted The program is free but registration is required. Additional information may be her deceased father’s portrait, Chibirka said, “It’s about the connection of love obtained from the center. “Good Grief Art introduces art to pro- between you and your loved one.” “Something transpires that moves vide the healing process of an individual you away from the sadness. When you experiencing a loss,” Chibirka said. paint your loved one’s portrait, there is The art instructor will lead students, working from photos, through a journey a person-to-person connection versus a photograph in which there is a machine, a of sharing memories of their deceased device in between you and the other perloved ones on canvas as they learn to son,” Chibirka said. “There is a connection paint their portraits in oils. Meanwhile, that flows from your heart to your mind, guest speakers will discuss the healing that flows down through your hand, to process through art. the brush and onto the canvas.” The initial pilot program was held in Another plus is the support system 2016 and sponsored by Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services. “It really a grieving person receives by painting alongside of others who are in the same situation. “It’s really an inspirational small, intimate group,” Chibirka said. “During the course of the program last year, the TS_CNG/SUBURBAN/PAGES [S01] | 02/22/17
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Instructor Marylou Chibirka (standing) examines student Mary Golden’s portrait of her father.
students slowly started talking to each other, sharing stories about their lost loved ones. There is common ground.” Chibirka said any adult who has experienced loss, at any time in life, is eligible for the class. “There can be someone who lost their mother a long time ago and another person who just lost a pet last week, but the need for closure is still the same. Every-
one processes grief differently.” Chibirka is a professional portrait artist who was born and resides on her family farm in rural Dalton. Since opening the Chibirka Gallery in 2006, which was designed and constructed by the artist, she has been commissioned to paint more than 250 portraits and was awarded several grants to paint members of the northeast Pennsylvania community.