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Meet Ruth Dwyer (MakeJoy)

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About Me

Ruth Dwyer is a Connecticut Certified Professional Art Educator of 36 years & lifelong artist. She received her BS Art Education from Central Connecticut State University and her MALS from Wesleyan University. She is a CCAR certified Recovery Coach Professional and NCCAP certified Art Life Coach.

 

Ruth is a practicing artist and enjoys painting a variety of subject matters. Her work has been accepted in juried shows through MAS, CAS, and FWWML. Her continued professional development has included workshops at Wadsworth Atheneum, Peabody Museum, Creative Arts Workshop, Guilford Art Center, Will McCarthy Atmospheric Landscape workshop in Farnese Italy and other professional development through her memberships with CAEA and NAEA.  She continues to enrich her recovery art programming with Artful Recovery training & workshops. 

Ruth is known as a therapeutic art specialist. Makejoy was developed through her passion for the power of art engagement & education and her experience in the field of addiction recovery. Her group workshops and private sessions focus on providing stress reduction and healing through the process of art making. The benefits of engagement in art making are far reaching and include the healing of grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, and stress. 

An educator at heart, Ruth has created a method for sharing the joy of art engagement that is suitable for all willing participants including children, teens, and adults. From the curious and timid to the confident and experienced. All are welcome and sure to experience mindfulness and ease in your time together.

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The Makejoy Method: A therapeutic creative approach which offers a curated exploration of art processes clinically proven to 

  • Reduce stress, leading to emotional regulation

  • Induce a state of mindfulness

  • Reframe narratives for positive change

  • Allow for deeper conscious awareness

  • Activate neuroplasticity of the brain

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How Artmaking Helps Reduce Stress and Promote Wellness:

The repetitive motions involved in many artistic activities (like sketching, coloring, or painting) can have a soothing effect on the nervous system. These actions encourage a slower breathing rate and lower blood pressure, similar to the effects of meditation.
 

Engaging in art creates a state of "flow," a focused mental state where time seems to disappear. This is similar to mindfulness, where you concentrate deeply on the present moment. Art-making can pull focus away from stressors and toward the creative process, which helps reduce overthinking and anxiety.
 

Makejoy programming offers guided art processes that lead to joy and serenity as well as clarity and self awareness. Participants are encouraged to incorporate what they learn into their wellness and self-care practices.

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MakeJoy Programs:

Sessions available as private or small group.
Journal Making

Affirmation Cards

Neurographic Art

Zentangle

Poetry

Mind Mapping

Blind-Conture

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Rates:

Private one hour: $90

Group of 5-10: $35 per person

Makejoy LLC  is fully licensed and insured. 

203-668-8686         makejoy365@gmail.com

© 2024 by Soul Voyage Counseling, LLC

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