Art & Soul

Dr Michelle Sanders has a love for art and community development.  She is involved in many community projects in many forms of painting and art. 

Art & Soul began in the form of a 10 week course teaching people who suffer depression and anxiety to paint) This course covers themes such as; loss and grief, guilt and shame, identity and more.

This is what Michelle had to say about the creation of the program:

Several years ago I went through what I call ‘the dark time’ I know I can be a bit dramatic, but this period was really dark. Work was so difficult, I became isolated from my friendships and just basic functioning became extremely difficult.  This didn’t last for just a few weeks, or even a few months, it went on for two years. It was during this time that I discovered painting and it changed my life. 

When I came through this time I spoke with an artist friend and said, wouldn’t it be good if we could take what happened for me and teach others to do this. And so we began looking at different themes that were helpful for me during this time and put together Art & Soul.

In the first course 21 people attended and it just worked really well for them as well. Since then, hundreds of people have gone through this course giving them new perspectives on themselves and their world.

Michelle has focused her doctorate around art. She uses painting to engage people in conversations and process their life issues. Michelle has just enrolled for a second PhD looking at the benefits and effects of art on those who have suffered trauma.

Michelle heads up the Art department and teaches Community Development at Eastern College Victoria, which offers a Bachelor Degree in Arts and Community Development.

Contact: michelle.kscope@hotmail.com