Ash Portrait Program (fiscal sponsor deck)
Background and intention:
Over the past 5 years, I have worked with numerous people, each suffering a loss, to create portraits and symbolic artwork with the cremation ashes of their loved ones.
This process has facilitated a unique way of healing through bereavement, focusing on remembrance depicting an image that reminds them of that person, or a symbol of transcendence that allows them to shift a perspective of finding that love transformed into in the greater picture of life.
Key benefits:
1. Gives the client an opportunity to move through the grieving process by allowing something new to come from something lost.
2. Gives the client a daily reminder of bringing that person back into their awareness
3. Gives the client a connecting point of expression to others
There has been a growing awareness of this work, and it is proving to be helpful to a number of people who hold the cremation ashes of their loved ones and want to move forward on their grief journey.
However, I have always struggled to charge a price to these people who request such a special work. I always wanted this to be a gift, sponsored by those who seek to give a compassionate gift with the financial means to do so. There is a current number of people who desire to participate in this work, but lack the financial means to
With organized financial support, this would also allow for the work to become more sustainable personally as an artist and counsellor, and provide freedom to devote more time to each individual, creating more masterful art and cultivating more present guidance.
I am seeking a 501c3 non profit organization who's values support the process of grieving for individuals, providing opportunity for clients to remember their loved ones in a special way, and giving them tools and clarity to go back out into the community.
The goal is to secure funding from private sponsors, and allocate a specific budget to be released as a Class C - Grantor/Grantee relationship, per each client initiation.
Each client will go through a month long process that involves an initial session receiving the ashes from the client.
At this appointment, time will be taken to collaborate on the subject matter (exploring photographs of the loved one, meaningful symbolic elements that reflect the subject's legacy and values, etc)
During the time the portrait is under way, the client will be encouraged to journal on certain themes to encourage reflection, expression of emotion, and remembrance of thier loved one. It is through this counseling element the client will imbue the completed portrait with a deeper connection and intention, also preparing the client for sharing in every day life and at an annual community event, by organizing their grief, feelings and thoughts.
At the end of the month, the client will be presented with the portrait, along with a letter of encouragement from the supporting fiscal sponsor and private donor. Photographs will be taken and utilized for reporting documentation for the supporting fiscal sponsor, along with a conclusion essay from the client based off the supportive impressions of the journaling and art.
Over the course of a year, each client will be invited to participate in a community event where they will be invited to present their ash portrait alongside the other participants in a gallery setting. Members of fiscal sponsor organization, as well as the private sponsors, will be invited to be present and connect with participating clients. Each participant will be invited to present a speech/essay to share the legacy of their loved one and reflect on their own healing journey. Members of the community will be invited, to witness the art and hear the testimonies of participants who are actively working to heal through grief. A speech of acknowledgment may also be given by the fiscal sponsor, if desired.
Program outline
Artist/Grief Counsellor Ian McCartor to work with individuals who have suffered loss and hold the cremation ashes of loved ones.
Incorporating cremation ashes as an art medium, Ian will create art pieces representing the remembrance or symbolize the transcendence of the subject's loved one as well as their own personal growth through loss.
The goal is to express the transformational process of grief and healing facilitated by the symbolism of art.
Over the course of 12 months, recipients will be invited from the community to participate.
Focal points of the process:
1. Commitment. Each person engaging in the process is exercising a commitment to growth and discovery. They are moving forward in their work of healing, reaching out and seeking connection.
2. Surrender. By action of giving the ashes of their loved one for the purpose of remembrance and transformation, they are practicing both physical and emotional surrender. Building a foundation of trust, they are participating in the hope of discovering something new and alive.
3. Nurturing growth. For each individual's project, there will be 30 days of waiting for their flower to be created. During this time they will be guided by prompts and journaling. By the end of the 30 days, they will have identified a number of elements to embody presently in their loved one's honor.
4. Purpose. At the end of the 30 day period, they will receive the completed art piece. It will represent a symbolic bloom of what is now realized, and remain as a daily reminder of their reflections - a call to be a beacon of potential for others.
5. Connection. At the end of the 12 month program, each of the participants will be invited to share their portrait in a gallery setting, and have an opportunity to share their healing journey and the story of their loved one in a curated intimate public setting. In connecting with others who have done similar work, we hope this will support an increased sense of community, connecting back to life with a stronger sense of purpose and growth than they had before.
The goal is to facilitate a stage of additional closure and celebrate each participants' impact in a bigger picture, emphasizing how their willing efforts go on to inspire others to grow.
Please observe the gallery and testimonies below.
These people have previously participated in this process and would like to share their encouraging stories of growth through loss; their ever-growing works of hope.
Gallery
Yvonne O.
It was more than I could ever have imagined, an experience like none other. The emotion I felt was overwhelming - I can’t explain it.
I was speechless.
My beautiful boy memorialized in the most creative, personal, unique way.
Immortal.
Such a beautiful gift!
In fact, every time I walk by his portrait I can feel him and hear him say…... ”I’m ok mum.”
Thank you Ian, for your artistry, your wisdom way beyond your years, your creativity and your beautiful spirit!
Dina T.
I wondered, what would my father have wanted me to do with his ashes? Would he have wanted me to keep them displayed on a shelf?
It took me 3 years to make a decision, while his ashes remained unceremoniously packed in their cardboard box and sitting on my hall closet shelf.
I contacted Ian.
What he created was beyond what I could have ever imagined. He so eloquently captured my father’s essence, spirit, and soul.
Thank you Ian, for giving me this amazingly beautiful way to memorialize my very special dad.
Sandra H.
The thought of mixing ash and charcoal on paper to re-create the essence and vision of my father sounded incredible.
It was such a pleasure to spend time with Ian. We looked at many photos and shared so many memories.
These kinds of experiences trigger so much emotion and awareness around how sacred life is. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
I am so grateful for the experience and for the beautiful artwork of my father. A gift I will always treasure.
I will never forget it.
