The wonders of self-discovery through art therapy

Methuen native Lisa Buglione has a passion for art, learning, teaching and helping others. As an art therapist, Lisa has brought compassion, relaxation and self-care techniques to her students in an 8-week painting program for cancer patients and caregivers held at Nevins Memorial Library. Funded through a state grant, the class “Watercolor Wonders: A Journey of Discovery and Recovery” was offered free of charge to the community “as an enriching journey of self-expression and healing through watercolor painting.”

“As an art therapist, I support counseling, and I do this through art. There is a self-esteem piece to it. Everyone brings something back to their daily lives after these classes. Some are thirsty for more,” Buglione explains. “This experience is personal for everybody. It’s self-care with a lot of elements of art coupled with relaxation. We paint with calming music and we have optional sharing time. Some participants are in the beginning of their journey, others have been dealing with cancer treatments or caregiving for 10 years. The wonders of self-discovery are a big part of the class. Some people are grieving, and this gives them time to take time for themselves and nurture themselves. The group is social, and there is also quiet time while painting.”

“Everybody’s journey is different. Some may have troubles with focusing. Creative opportunities may help them focus better. Some may deal with memory issues in the early or middle phase of dementia. Art can be relaxing and help with not feeling as confused. The opportunity to watercolor paint without a lot of direction and just a lot of support is meaningful. People who have physical or mental issues can benefit from a creative experience that helps them relax and be focused. It can help with lessening anxious or agitated feelings. There can also be pain relief as well,” Lisa said.

“The library supports programs like this because we believe in providing safe and creative spaces where individuals facing challenges, like cancer survivors, can find community, healing and self-expression,” said Nevins Library Reference Services Department Head Elizabeth Borges Ocasio. “The next step is to exhibit the participants’ creations at the library during the first week of February to commemorate World Cancer Day on February 4. This exhibition will allow the public to appreciate the artworks while promoting awareness about preventing this serious disease.”

Well known in the regional art community and a 40-year career teaching art in the Methuen Public School system and St. Monica’s School, Lisa was approached by Elizabeth to create an art curriculum for this course.

“I was delighted when she reached out to me. I had done programming in the library in wellness and creativity. Elizabeth really wanted to offer an art program that was going to be therapeutic and helpful to others,” Lisa said.

An educator in Methuen for nearly four decades, Lisa recently earned her art therapy certification.

“I was eager to collaborate on this programming with Elizabeth and the Nevins Library,” she said.

Lisa has worked extensively in the non-profit community including offering classes at Essex Art Center in Lawrence, Methuen Senior Center, Lawrence Senior Center, the Migrant Education Program in Gloucester and The Community Group in Lawrence. She is a member of Methuen Artists Unite.

Initiating this program was personal for Elizabeth. She shares, “This upcoming January 14 marks 26 years since my mother passed away from cancer. Throughout her illness, I was her caregiver from beginning to end. I still vividly remember those moments when her gaze seemed distant, and I could see the pain, anguish and depression in her eyes. While I wished to comfort her, I could only imagine how she felt but never fully understand her experience, as I had never gone through anything similar. Unfortunately, at that time, I could not find support groups or activities in the city where I lived in Puerto Rico that would allow her to distract herself or connect with other patients or survivors outside of the environment where she received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the summer of 2023, I saw that same look again in my cousin, who is currently battling breast cancer. Inspired by this experience, I proposed to Krista McLeod, the library director, to organize a watercolor program for cancer patients. She immediately agreed, and in the fall of 2023, we held the first program, fully funded by the library. It was a wonderful and deeply rewarding experience. The participants attended each session with touching enthusiasm. The program’s impact was so positive that, at the end, attendees asked if it would continue.

“Inspired by their response, I drafted and submitted the proposal Watercolor Wonders: A Journey of Discovery and Recovery to the Methuen Cultural Council, which was approved. This program, funded by a grant from the Methuen Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, consisted of two sections, each comprising eight 1.5-hour classes. The first section was for cancer patients of any type, while the second was open to the public to provide a space for stress relief, combat loneliness and mitigate the effects of mental health conditions such as depression. This second section addressed the need to tackle issues identified after learning that a significant portion of emergency calls received by the Methuen Police Department are related to suicide attempts.”

Lisa has been running this program for a year and has completed three sessions for participants. She expects that this will run again in 2025. For those interested, check the library’s website (nevinslibrary.org) or the Nevins Memorial Library Facebook page for information on upcoming classes.