Thomas Gallery social program
"This is Your Brain on Crafts?
Did you know "when the mid brain is engaged by repetitive movements involved in many crafts, the temporal lobe is unable to focus on worry or stress"; according to psychologist Robert Maurer. Studies have proven "crafting can decrease your heart rate and blood pressure, improve sleep, help with problem solving, depression and other health issues.
Interestingly enough this may explain why one of the more popular classes here at St. Anne Institute is "Cross stitching", which is taught by Jacquie Shoen, a teacher's assistant in the school. Jacquie has been teaching cross stitching for approximately 15 years, and always realized the therapeutic benefits crafting has had on her students. "It feels good when you're working on a project and you don't have to think about your problems, it helps me relax." according to one student in the class.
Hence....this fall when Jacquie was online searching for cross stitching patterns for her class, she had no idea that half way across the world, in a little town in Indonesia, a friendship would develop. Thomas Subandriyo, owner of the Thomas Gallery in Indonesia, shares the same enthusiasm for the art of cross stitching but also the passion to care about the well being of thers. Thomas credit's his wife, Mien, for teaching him the art of cross stitching. He eventually opened his own business and gallery creating cross stitching patterns out of photographs, selling to customers all over the world.
After many email correspondence, Thomas learned a little more about St. Anne Institute and the nature of the students that Jacquie taught. Knowing first hand the benefits of crafting, and how valuable it can be to the mind and the soul, in broken English he offered, "I will do the pattern of their face profile, maybe it will give them more happiness." He offered to create an individual cross stitch design for each student in her classes. Jacquie took head shots of each student and emailed them to Thomas in Indonesia. Free of charge he emailed back a 2' x 2' cross pattern of each girls profile. The girls were so excited and happy to receive such a unique gift that to show their appreciation they each made Mr. Subandriyo a thank you card with a cross stitch christmas ornament and mailed them to him in Indonesia. Through this experience with St. Anne's, Thomas will continue to offer his services not only to future students at St. Anne's, but to non profit agencies throughout the U.S.A. free of charge. item(s) Total: |
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