Magazine Mosaic

Source: This project emerged out of a group brainstorming session that started out as a mural design.
Materials: Old magazines suitable for tearing, a large sheet of posterboard (does not have to be new because surface will be covered), pencil, several paint brushes, modge podge
Procedure:
1. Draw rough outline of a scene or design onto the posterboard.
2. Identify what colors will be used for what parts of the drawing, and create a pile for each color to be used. (It is helpful to distinguish different shades of the same color. For example, if you will use light blue for the stream, and dark blue for the sky, then it is helpful to have a light blue pile and a dark blue pile, although not completely necessary.)
3. Begin searching through magazines for the appropriate colors. (Look for bigger pieces of color without a lot of other colors/writing.) Tear into smaller pieces. (Size of pieces is guided by personal preference.)
4. Once you feel you have enough of each color to complete the design, paint small sections with modge podge and glue colored magazine pieces down. (If working in a group setting, one person can paint the modge podge on, and one person can glue down the pieces.)
5. After all pieces are glued down, paint a thin layer of modge podge onto the finished product to seal pieces and discourage fly-away pieces.
*Expect this entire process to take 3-4 hours.
Rationale: This intervention utilizes an Art as Therapy approach, and encourages "flow," the term used to describe the therapeutic state of being fully present and engaged with an enjoyable activity. This activity is inexpensive and easily accessible, due to its use of recycled materials. As a group activity, the procedure is well-suited for improving cohesion and ability to work together as a team.
Adaptations: An Art as Psychotherapy approach may be incorporated in more insightful, high-functioning groups. Here, group members may base their design off of a therapeutic goal or theme, such as "Healing," "Wellness," "Energy," or "Grief." This approach lends itself to more cognitive-based processing questions.
This intervention could also be used on an individual basis.