LIVONIA – The mother of a transgender son and owner of Mindful Art Center in Livonia will provide a workshop Feb. 28 for trans youth.
Kelly Darke is a Grosse Pointe Park native who received her art therapy degree from Wayne State University in 2009. She opened her practice in art therapy at the Mindful Art Center in September of 2014 after being fed up by continued pressure from insurance companies dictating who could be admitted as a client.
Now offering services in her private practice, Darke told MLive that art and painting go hand in hand with therapy.
Her workshop, "Express Yourself," will provide trans youth the opportunity to learn to express themselves without fear or judgment.
"I want to provide a place where kids feel comfortable without any judgment, and where they can meet other kids going through the same thing," Darke told MLive. "These are kids just trying to be who they are. I want to give them a place to do that."
Darke's son came out as trans in January 2015. Since then she has educated herself on the trans experience by reading books and attending support groups for parents of transgender kids. Drake also has a gay stepdaughter.
The first workshop for Express Yourself will be held from 1-2 p.m. for participants in kindergarten through fifth grade and a second workshop from 2:15-3:15 p.m. for clients sixth grade and higher. Space is limited to 20 people per session. Art supplies will be provided; however, there is a $5 supply fee.
For more information and to RSVP by Feb. 27, visit the center's website at http://www.mindfulartcenter.com or call 734-502-7920.
The Mindful Art Center is located at 12886 Farmington Road in Livonia.
Livonia Mom Hosts Art Therapy Workshop for Trans Youth
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