Mandala Workshop

Duration: 3 hours (including 1-hour networking lunch)

Session #1: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Networking Lunch

Session #2: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

During the workshop, we will define what mandalas are in art therapy, explore our migration process, and discover our inner world through two mandalas. The first one will help to identify our current state and the second one to visualise our goals and recognise our strengths.

What are Mandalas?

In the most basic sense, a mandala is a circle. In art therapy, mandalas are used for communicating messages in a nonverbal language. Creating mandalas activates pathways between our mind and body, this interaction helps us understand present-day experiences, and open up future directions for growth.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy involves the use of creative techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, colouring, or sculpting to help people express themselves.

The workshop

The workshop is divided into two stages (two mandalas), the first stage invites the participants to explore their current situation in the migration process. This first mandala will allow participants to better understand their own wants and needs which will assist in defining their goals in stage 2.

In stage 2, the participants are invited to create a second mandala to represent their vision, goals, and needs. We will close this session with a short exercise called “finding the bridge”, which assists the participants to find the actions required to move from stage 1 (current stage) to stage 2 (goal stage).

The facilitator

Yuneska Harris is a practising Civil Engineer, Project Manager, Certified Art Therapist and immigrant. Yuneska has a special interest in the migration process. When she migrated to Australia in 2016 the settling in process was much more challenging than she’d imagined.  Her practice in Art Therapy helped her and others through these difficult times by improving self-awareness and helping to identify the actions needed to overcome their current circumstances.

Yuneska has been assisting others in this practice for 8 years and has presented her work at the Venezuelan Association in Melbourne (2018) and for the 1st Art therapy and Creative Arts Conference held by BINDU-ICAT Institute of creative arts therapy (2020).



Here are some details:

• Registration: 10.30 am. starting time 11.00am
• All materials for the workshop will be provided
• Tea, coffee and biscuits will be supplied
• Bring food to share during the networking lunch. It would be great if it is from your country but is not necessary
• Please label your food to help with different dietary requirements
• Wear comfortable clothe
• Come with curiosity and an open heart!

See you then!