We would like to inform you about the Healing Through Creative Arts Conference that is being hosted by the Centre for the Study of Violence
and Reconciliation in collaboration with the cultural desk of Evangelischer
Entwicklungsdienst Deutschland, at Museum Africa on 23 - 25 November 2001.

The conference will be opened with an exhibition and the launch of the South
African Network of Trauma Service Providers (Themba Lesizwe) on Thursday 22
November at 17H00 at Museum Africa. (Market Theatre Cultural Precinct Newtown).

Africa is a continent that consists of an enormous diversity of culture,
tradition and religious practices. We all have a sense of the world we
inhabit within which are high levels of trauma and political and social
violence. This conference emerged out of an active exploration of the arts
as therapeutic and healing within a South African context. This is the
context in which we begin to explore the creative Arts and its potential for healing at this conference.

This conference will include plenary sessions with keynote addresses by, inter alia, Professor Chabani Maganyi, Judge Albie Sachs, the Head of the South African Traditional Healers Association, Dr Zungu and Dr Robert Mtonga, Federation Vice President of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) from Zambia. It also offers a range of experiential workshops and an opportunity to play within a potential space.

A space that includes the creative modalities of traditional healing,
Caroline Mokoena preparing the space through a sangoma ritual, talking and storytelling by Gcina Mhlope and Nomsa Mdlalose, Mass Appeal, and the Drum Cafi using drumming as a therapeutic approach to healing, Pedro Espi-Sanchis inviting us to enter a world of magic through storytelling and music, an interactive play from Kenya , Sangoma- a Search for Healers, Art
Therapy, Drama Therapy, Music Therapy and Dance/Movement Therapy facilitating links between our internal and external worlds.

Exhibitors include: Gail Neke, Diane Levy, Mandla Mabila, Maggie Mokgoena,
The work of a Katlehong/Thokosa group of women involved in an Art Therapy training programme, together with the work of children they work with
exploring how they have implemented the training and are facilitating expression in these highly traumatised children. Artists Proof Studio's project of Paper Prayers(HIV/AIDs), Giselle Wulfson's photographs of men and women with AIDS and their stories, The Quilts done by rural woman's AIDS project that were presented to the Ministries as pledges. Students of the Foundation Course in Art Therapy exploring their healing process in their images. Kim Berman's images called Toxic Memories exploring the TRC.
Marilyn NcDowell's photographs of working in Wilderness therapy with
members of the San community. Hayley Berman's images representing the therapeutic relationship of holding and containing. The Visual Arts and Crafts Academy exhibiting work done in inclusion
projects within disabled schools; including the work of children and trainers.

Children's images made in Thembisa, Thokosa, (witness to violence and sexual and physical abuse), children's images from the Bereavement group at Bara, The refugee children's images from Art Therapy group work at the
Trauma clinic.

For further information contact: Dorothea Giesche at 082 6831 328 /
e-mail:[email protected]