Art of Recovery

ART OF RECOVERY

Art of Recovery is a project of psycho-emotional support for internally displaced children aged 5 to 10 and their mothers who moved to Lviv from the frontline regions of Ukraine in 2025. The project participants experienced the loss of home, separation from loved ones, prolonged stress, and a difficult process of adapting to a new life.

The goal of the project is to create a safe and supportive space where children and mothers can gently and gradually restore emotional balance through art, creativity, and shared presence. For children, art therapy becomes a way to express complex feelings without words, reduce tension, and regain a sense of security. For mothers, it is an opportunity to pause, be close to the child in a calm environment, and once again feel inner support and trust.

The project lasted one and a half months and included 10 art therapy sessions, each lasting 2 hours. Classes were held twice a week in small groups of 14–16 participants — children together with their mothers. Each meeting took place in an atmosphere of silence and safety: with soft lighting, calm background music, and a sense of acceptance.

During the sessions, participants worked with various art materials — paints, pastels, chalk, markers, natural textures, and mixed techniques. Children and adults freely chose the form and method of creativity — individually or together. The process was accompanied by professional art therapists and psychologists who helped safely experience emotions, reduce tension, and strengthen emotional resilience.

Each session ended with a short reflection circle — in a calm atmosphere, with tea, drinks, and healthy sweets. This moment allowed participants to pause, share their feelings, and note the internal changes that occurred during the meeting.

PROJECT RESULTS

Project Participants

Within the Art of Recovery project, 167 unique participants took part, including:

87 children aged 5 to 10 years
80 parents

Conclusion

For the Art of Recovery project team, this work became confirmation that art can be not only a form of creativity but also an effective tool for recovery, stabilization, and restoring a sense of security for families affected by the war. We are grateful to every family for their trust and willingness to be part of this process.

Project Support

The project was implemented with the support of Terre des Hommes Netherlands.