TOTEM is an artgroup for parents and children affected by sexual assault run at SECASA  (South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault) with funding through the Flora and Frank Leith Foundation.

TOTEM gives parents and children time out to have fun together, as well as learn and practice new ways of relating.

In this project parents and kids are creating  a mosaic placemat for the table at home.  Using, tiles, glass and bits of broken china we have transformed  old  placements into something new and beautiful.   Everybody loves smashing the tiles and learning how to use the tools to create their unique work of art.  Parents have been excellent in helping kids learn to use the tools, and kids are excellent in fitting small pieces onto the placemat. This project has  taken two weeks, as we are encouraging makers to take their time and do the best creative work possible for them. Some have finished – as you can see, and some will grout theirs next week.

Creating art together is fun – there is always lots of laughter in the room and there is time to help each other, and find words to discuss how the art day has been for each of us.

These two videos of participants tell how they enjoyed the program :

An article about this program was included in the 2014 DHS Statewide Snapshot of Good Practice.