Discovering the power of creativity and community at women’s healing workshop

SEVERAL women tapped into their artistic intuition at a workshop on Thursday 11 December at the Women’s Healing Sanctuary.

The free event was funded through Australia Post’s Community Grants, which support initiatives that strengthen mental health and wellbeing across Australian communities.

The Morning Tea and Art Expression workshop is part of the sanctuary’s commitment to supporting local women who need respite, rest and a safe place.

After coffee, conversation and a morning tea of homebaked citrus pie and apple and cinnamon slice, local oil painting artist Tina Summers curated the space, commencing with a multi-sensory awakening meditation.

She then invited participants to choose whatever medium called to them, to start creating their original masterpieces.

The space offered a supportive environment for the women to connect, create, heal and relax.

Some women chose a canvas and acrylic paints to render their imaginations while others used watercolour paper and paints to brush out their imaginings and expressions.

Attendee Jenny Crossey said, “it was a beautiful way to have some time out to be creative.

“I feel reenergised, having had just one thing to focus on because my week has been busy and I felt like I had been running in circles”.

Trading in her presenter role for a day, Fiona Brown expressed that it was “lovely to be a participant, because people who give are often not used to receiving.”

LED lighting artist, Linda Jury, shared the personal meaning behind her finished work, depicting images that represented people who held a special place in her heart and life.

As bristles slowed and the final strokes dried, the room settled into a gentle hum of conversation and reflection.

Many participants lingered after their artworks were complete, sharing the stories behind their creations and the emotions the session had brought to the surface.

For Tina, watching the group unwind and reconnect with themselves was the most rewarding part of the morning.

“Creativity opens a doorway,” she said.

“It gives women permission to pause, breathe, and express what they often don’t have space to express in everyday life.”

Women’s Healing Sanctuary Consulting General Manager Kelly King agreed, noting that events like this highlight the importance of accessible wellbeing programs in the community.

“We want women to know they don’t have to carry everything alone,” she said.

“Sometimes a quiet room, a cup of tea, and a paintbrush can be the first step toward feeling whole again and relieving stress.”

As the Morning Tea drew to a close, participants left with their artworks in hand and also with something less tangible, a renewed sense of calm, connection, and camaraderie.

Live-in Manager Janine Hannah shared that with continued support, the Women’s Healing Sanctuary hopes to offer more creative and restorative workshops in 2026, ensuring even more women in Port Stephens have the chance to rest, reset and rediscover themselves.

By Jacie WHITFIELD