Everyone has a story to tell. Spoken word artist Patrick de Belen will help you explore your story, dig deep into your thoughts, and heal through the power of words. In our HEAL Spoken Word & Poetry workshops, you'll find a safe space to discover your unique voice and share it, all while connecting with others in a real and meaningful way.
This workshop is completely free! Free food, refreshments, and transportation tokens are available at every workshop. You’ll also receive free art materials and a wellness kit valued at $50.
No previous artistic experience required.
ABOUT HEAL
This session is part HEAL (Health Empowerment & Arts Leverage), a specialised arts and wellness program for Scarborough and York Region youth ages 13–29 looking for a safe and supportive space to try new art-making techniques, explore your voice, build resiliency and coping skills, and heal.
Now in its 5th year, the HEAL program offers free weekly workshops in Scarborough and Markham (York Region), led by trauma-informed arts facilitators. In these workshops, you will be guided through different arts activities to unpack experiences, difficulties, and trauma. You will have the opportunity to create original songs, poems, spoken word, and visual art pieces, using creative expression to heal and grow towards better mental health and wellness.
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR
Patrick de Belen is a Filipino-Canadian storyteller, arts educator, spoken word poet, writer, and filmmaker. He is most known for his collaborations with the Toronto Raptors, the NFL, and CBC, and his three spoken word EPs and multiple cine-poems he wrote and directed himself.
He was the youngest poet to win a national poetry slam championship, awarded both the national Canadian poet of honour and youth poet of honour title, and a few more storytelling accolades throughout his career.
When he is not writing or sharing, he is an educator and youth mentor, partnering with many institutions like addiction centres, mental health focused organizations, libraries, schools, jails and more—advocating for storytelling opportunities in as many spaces as possible. (@patrick_debelen | patrickdebelen.com)