Art Therapist Highlight Interview
With Lara K. Fairbanks on
Art as Therapy to Create Masks
Lara Rutledge is an art therapy student who has been promoting community connection, self-care, and safety through mask making. Seeing how mask making has become an important art as therapy practice to connect communities during a time of fear and isolation, Lara offered to share with us her journey with mask-making.
What inspired you to create masks for the community?
“I first learned about making face masks through my sister, she informed me of the Denver Mask Task Force and they are organizing what they call “stitch ninjas” who are volunteers to sew face masks and someone will be at a designated location to take them to places like hospitals. Initially, I wanted to make 25 to donate, but as time went on the restrictions for what hospitals needed began to change. So I said, “ok, I’ll make another batch.”
Lara began to notice the need for masks as more and more of her support network began to ask for them. Her friends and family were reaching out for a mask. “I’ve been selling them now and each time I make them it is just getting better and better. I have a system now and I have been busy with orders. It’s been really challenging going from the initial stages to where I am now.” Lara shared that the process has been interesting as it continues to take off. “I love to sew and when I found out about making face masks, I was excited because it is a perfect art project for me. It feels meaningful, using art to be of service. I intend to donate more masks now that I am able to sew the masks in the way the hospital needs them.”
She continued to share her experience of mask-making becoming a therapeutic process for her to connect with the community during a time of physical distancing and social isolation. “So when quarantine and self in place started, I was at home and my practicum was postponed so suddenly I had more time in my schedule. Just being at home, thinking, “what can I do?” It felt like a natural go-to for me.” In terms of coping, Lara shared that it has “given me something to focus on that is meaningful. It’s kind of a way I’m using my time right now.” Mask-making became an important coping strategy for connecting with the community. It inspired her to become intentional with the fabrics she chose to create the masks, “I’m thinking about fabrics and how we can put messages on the masks of solidarity.” Utilizing feedback she has received from the community has helped her grow as a seamstress “It started out with a desire or wish, but getting feedback that the masks needed to be improved and working through that process has been very therapeutic.”
Why is the process of art important for communication and community?
“I think there is a social justice piece in there.” When making the masks, Lara shared some insight about a mindfulness intention she thinks about when creating masks for her community, “I’m thinking about how the masks can be a way of bringing people together, looking out for each other. When I give my masks to people, I write a little note and I just let them know that while I was sewing their masks I tried to think about COVID19 and how the mask can be of benefit for others. I try to drop that into each of the masks...this is something to keep us safe.”
Creating masks as her form of art as therapy has provided her with a way to share messages with her community and find a way to support the important people in her life. “It’s helped me use my skills to support my family and friends and community at large. I’ve made a bunch of masks for an Optometrist and her staff. It feels like a great community project.”
What’s unique about the symbolic nature of masks for self-care?
“What’s unique about the handsewn masks is that they are colorful and they are life giving whereas there’s nothing wrong with them. The ones that you buy that are already made are all the same and not lasting. During a time when something is scary, it’s nice to be able to create something to give to another.”
Even her process for creating the masks has become symbolic of community connection. “Finding the material for the masks has been very interesting, all the shipping and things being delayed, so timing has been interesting and finding the filter material that goes into the masks, that’s hard to find and everyone is scrambling for these materials. All the stores have been out. I’m always searching online for where I can find it today.” Lara shared that in a way, having the fabric and supplies being hard to find something that is hopeful and inspiring. “It’s kind of sweet in a way, that the materials are hard to find, because so many people are trying to get them to make masks for each other.”
Her experience with mask-making has developed in ways she did not expect as she notices that making handmade masks for people has helped create a sense of self-care and safety. “I’ve heard from other people that my kids have had so much fun picking out the fabric for the mask and it is so de-stigmatizing in a way, these things can be so beautiful. I think in the beginning the masks were something to be feared in a way, not being able to see our faces. Now they can be beautiful, it kinda takes away some stigma or fear.”
Lara continues creating masks during this challenging time.
With Lara K. Fairbanks on
Art as Therapy to Create Masks
Lara Rutledge is an art therapy student who has been promoting community connection, self-care, and safety through mask making. Seeing how mask making has become an important art as therapy practice to connect communities during a time of fear and isolation, Lara offered to share with us her journey with mask-making.
What inspired you to create masks for the community?
“I first learned about making face masks through my sister, she informed me of the Denver Mask Task Force and they are organizing what they call “stitch ninjas” who are volunteers to sew face masks and someone will be at a designated location to take them to places like hospitals. Initially, I wanted to make 25 to donate, but as time went on the restrictions for what hospitals needed began to change. So I said, “ok, I’ll make another batch.”
Lara began to notice the need for masks as more and more of her support network began to ask for them. Her friends and family were reaching out for a mask. “I’ve been selling them now and each time I make them it is just getting better and better. I have a system now and I have been busy with orders. It’s been really challenging going from the initial stages to where I am now.” Lara shared that the process has been interesting as it continues to take off. “I love to sew and when I found out about making face masks, I was excited because it is a perfect art project for me. It feels meaningful, using art to be of service. I intend to donate more masks now that I am able to sew the masks in the way the hospital needs them.”
She continued to share her experience of mask-making becoming a therapeutic process for her to connect with the community during a time of physical distancing and social isolation. “So when quarantine and self in place started, I was at home and my practicum was postponed so suddenly I had more time in my schedule. Just being at home, thinking, “what can I do?” It felt like a natural go-to for me.” In terms of coping, Lara shared that it has “given me something to focus on that is meaningful. It’s kind of a way I’m using my time right now.” Mask-making became an important coping strategy for connecting with the community. It inspired her to become intentional with the fabrics she chose to create the masks, “I’m thinking about fabrics and how we can put messages on the masks of solidarity.” Utilizing feedback she has received from the community has helped her grow as a seamstress “It started out with a desire or wish, but getting feedback that the masks needed to be improved and working through that process has been very therapeutic.”
Why is the process of art important for communication and community?
“I think there is a social justice piece in there.” When making the masks, Lara shared some insight about a mindfulness intention she thinks about when creating masks for her community, “I’m thinking about how the masks can be a way of bringing people together, looking out for each other. When I give my masks to people, I write a little note and I just let them know that while I was sewing their masks I tried to think about COVID19 and how the mask can be of benefit for others. I try to drop that into each of the masks...this is something to keep us safe.”
Creating masks as her form of art as therapy has provided her with a way to share messages with her community and find a way to support the important people in her life. “It’s helped me use my skills to support my family and friends and community at large. I’ve made a bunch of masks for an Optometrist and her staff. It feels like a great community project.”
What’s unique about the symbolic nature of masks for self-care?
“What’s unique about the handsewn masks is that they are colorful and they are life giving whereas there’s nothing wrong with them. The ones that you buy that are already made are all the same and not lasting. During a time when something is scary, it’s nice to be able to create something to give to another.”
Even her process for creating the masks has become symbolic of community connection. “Finding the material for the masks has been very interesting, all the shipping and things being delayed, so timing has been interesting and finding the filter material that goes into the masks, that’s hard to find and everyone is scrambling for these materials. All the stores have been out. I’m always searching online for where I can find it today.” Lara shared that in a way, having the fabric and supplies being hard to find something that is hopeful and inspiring. “It’s kind of sweet in a way, that the materials are hard to find, because so many people are trying to get them to make masks for each other.”
Her experience with mask-making has developed in ways she did not expect as she notices that making handmade masks for people has helped create a sense of self-care and safety. “I’ve heard from other people that my kids have had so much fun picking out the fabric for the mask and it is so de-stigmatizing in a way, these things can be so beautiful. I think in the beginning the masks were something to be feared in a way, not being able to see our faces. Now they can be beautiful, it kinda takes away some stigma or fear.”
Lara continues creating masks during this challenging time.
- Do you need a face mask?
- Is there an organization you know of that needs them?
- Would you like some tips for creating your own masks?
