Art Kaleidoscope: The Power of Creativity in Times of War

Головна Блог Art Kaleidoscope: The Power of Creativity in Times of War

In these challenging times, when war daily tests the resilience and emotional well-being of the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS) continues to serve as a center of hope, healing, and renewal.

On June 28, UETS hosted the “Art Kaleidoscope” conference — a dynamic gathering of practitioners, educators, and faith-based professionals who believe in the transformative power of art as a tool for trauma recovery and emotional restoration.

This one-day event embodied UETS’s ongoing commitment to supporting war-affected communities through innovative, faith-rooted initiatives. The conference brought together individuals seeking practical resources, spiritual encouragement, and professional tools for responding to the emotional wounds caused by the war.

The program featured diverse art therapy approaches, interactive workshops, and a collaborative space for reflection, learning, and connection. Among the key topics and speakers were:

"Treasure Chest of Inner Resources" — an interactive game to explore emotions and self-help strategies (Nataliia Hordynia).
"A Month of Care" — a workshop on identifying crises, coping strategies, and gentle restoration of stability (Olha Maksymenko).
"Path to Restoration" — sand therapy and metaphorical cards for working with trauma (Inna Pavytska).
"Upanchyk the Bear Project" — trauma therapy for children and adults using therapeutic stories and a soft toy (Oksana Hrytsiuta).
"Art Therapy for Military Families" — creative tools for emotional regulation and safe expression (Viktoriia Uliianova).
"Emotional Stability for Parents of Children with Special Needs" — breathing, body-based, visual, and mindfulness techniques (Viktoriia Khromets).
"Trust as an Inner Lantern" — self-awareness practices and creating an internal sense of support (Liliia Kahan).
"Sources of My Strength" — visualization, color, and creativity to restore emotional balance (Maryna Protas).
"Coffee-Scented Drawing" — coffee painting as a gentle, grounding art practice (Oleksandr Kyshtymov).
"Positive Waves: Tune Your Thinking" — techniques for focus, mental clarity, and inner peace (Svitlana Tkachova).

Events like “Art Kaleidoscope” reflect UETS’s broader vision: to respond to the needs of Ukraine’s war-affected society with wisdom, compassion, and spiritual depth. In a time when millions are navigating loss, trauma, and exhaustion, UETS stands as a trusted training center for equipping leaders, ministers, counselors, and volunteers to bring healing into their communities.

This conference wasn’t just an academic event — it was a lifeline for many. A space where participants could rediscover their sense of purpose, renew their inner strength, and form meaningful connections rooted in shared faith and experience.

We invite our friends, partners, and potential sponsors to continue walking alongside us. Your support allows us to expand initiatives like these — reaching more people with practical tools for resilience, spiritual care, and trauma-informed recovery.

Follow UETS for upcoming events and opportunities to get involved. Together, we are building a network of healing, hope, and transformation across Ukraine.