Article Contributed on: 9/28/2009 8:41:21 PM
Who can cook up creativity with charcoal, iced tea mix, Koolaid (preferably grape), rock and crayons? . . . A visionary who has witnessed and experienced, first hand, the wide range success of utilizing art and poetry with significantly at-risk youth in residential treatment.
Loren Lichti is a one man force of nature when it comes to finding unique applications of what we call "experiential" therapies. In "therapy-speak", experiential therapies are treatment modalities which bypass the censoring right brain of the individual in therapy, allowing for clearer and more authentic informational and emotional communication. Simply put, when traditional talk therapy doesn't work, utilizing art, poetry, photography and even gardening and recreation will reach those kids who've built seemingly impenetrable walls around themselves.
Children and youth in Lost and Found Inc. programs are wise - especially to the ways of traditional talk psychotherapy. Likewise, they can tune out traditional education delivery. Lichti has discovered a remarkable "tune in" factor when he introduces options to the creative process and lets these kids explore.
Evidence of Lost and Found Inc. kids' success will be exhibited at the Artistic Fusion Night on October 14 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Purple Ginger Asian Fusion Restaurant, 2610 Youngfield in Lakewood.
This fusion of fine art and poetry, and fine dining will raise money to support the experiential programs of art and poetry at Lost and Found Inc. Patrons will pay $40 for a selection of appetizers, a choice of dinner entrees, and divine desserts. They will also be able to "experience" the results of this process and learn more about how art and poetry opens up horizons for Lost and Found Inc. kids in unexpected areas.
Lichti sites one example of a project he recently introduced to the youth at the Transitional Living Program (residential services for at-risk emancipating youth). He began by teaching about the origin of petroglyphs ("a drawing or carving on rock, made by a member of a prehistoric people" - dictionary.com). Lichti soon discovered that his previously disengaged students of history were paying rapt attention to the history lessons within the use of this artistic depiction of language for storytelling and historical recording.
The youth were challenged to develop their own petroglyphs to tell their own stories. The youth soon discovered that they could use their new language on the traditional surface (rock) by applying resources found in everyday life in the 21st Century: crayon, charcoal, instant iced tea mix, Koolaid, and a cheap plumbers propane torch.
Other art will include masks, photographs, paintings and heart stirring poetry. For more information and to make reservations call "Ole" Ferguson, 303-420-8080 x1203
For more information on Lost and Found Inc. call "Ole" Ferguson, 303-420-8080 x1203.
Linda Ferguson is Development Manager - Lost and Found Inc.
Director - Homefront Heroes