Art Through Your Flesh Suit: Somatic + Art Group Program
Art Through Your Flesh Suit is a structured group program that combines psychoeducation, experiential exercises, and visual art-making.
The program explores and exploits the relationship between bodily awareness, perception, thoughts, and creative practice.
Each session introduces a psychological concept, followed by guided somatic experiential exercises after which a basic visual art exercise related to the experiential practice is proposed. Participants are invited to observe their own experience, learn artistic devices, experiment with different ways of paying attention, and explore how these ideas can come together to be expressed through visual art.
No previous art experience is required. Commitment : 4 sessions · 2 hours each
Art Through Your Flesh Suit uses visual art as a practical way to explore and deepen understanding of ideas introduced through psychoeducation.
Sessions include:
Somatic awareness and attention
Observation and perception
Patterns of attention and thought
Self-observation
Group and dyadic discussions
Selected visual art principles and devices
The emphasis is not on producing technically accomplished artwork. Instead, art-making provides a concrete, experiential way to notice, experiment, and reflect.
Participants are encouraged to work with simple materials and accessible exercises. The focus is on the experience of the activity rather than on artistic skill or aesthetic achievement.
Each two-hour session follows a consistent structure:
1. Welcome & Review
A brief introduction to the session and an opportunity to review observations or experiences from the previous session.
2. Grounding Exercise
A short guided exercise to bring attention to present-moment bodily experience and prepare for the session.
3. Psychoeducation
A short presentation introducing a psychological idea or concept.
4. Somatic experiential Exercise
A guided exercise that allows participants to explore the concept through direct experience.
5. Visual Art Device Exploration
An artistic device is presented, discussed and practiced.
6. Somatic and Artistic Exploration
Participants explore visual representation of their somatic experience through the use of the discussed visual art device.
7. Reflection and Application
A brief closing reflection and discussion of the session. Suggestions on how to further incorporate and practice the session's teaching.
By participating in the program, you may develop:
Greater awareness of bodily sensations and physiology
Greater familiarity with practices for observing your own experience
Greater knowledge of concepts related to cognitive flexibility
New ways of approaching observation and creative decision-making
Greater familiarity with selected visual art principles and devices
Experience using art-making as a practical method for exploring ideas
Art Through Your Flesh Suit is intended for adults who are curious about psychological concepts, somatic awareness, visual art and the relationship between them.
The program may be particularly interesting to people who enjoy learning through doing, are curious about their own experience, or want to explore familiar psychological ideas from a different perspective.
The facilitator provides structured information, guided exercises, and opportunities for discussion and art-making. Participants remain responsible for deciding what they wish to share and how they participate in the experiential activities.
The program is not intended to replace individual mental health care where such care is needed.
Prospective participants are required to attend a free information session before registering. The information session provides an opportunity to understand:
The structure and format of the program
The types of exercises involved
The role of art-making
The expectations for participation
The boundaries and limitations of the program
Whether the program is an appropriate fit for you
This is also an opportunity to ask questions before making a four-session commitment.
Email dnadon@eastendps.com to register for the information session or send any question you may have.
Schedule
Monday evenings · 6:30–8:30 pm
October 26, 2026
November 9, 2026
November 23, 2026
December 7, 2026
Location
High Horse Galerie & Ateliers1010 Polytek St., Unit 23Ottawa, OntarioCost
$100 per session, a four-session commitment is required.
Total program cost: $400
Daniel Nadon is a registered psychotherapist and visual artist. His interest in bridging somatic experiences and visual art has been simmering since 2024. As he explored the relationship between bodily experience, perception, attention, and their visual representation, the role of mindsets found a role as a third component that could facilitate or hinder the visual expression of somatic states.
What is the difference between Art Through Your Flesh and group therapy?
Art Through Your Flesh Suit is structured as a psychoeducational and experiential group practice. The sessions provide information, guided exercises, discussion, and visual art activities. They are not structured to provide psychotherapeutic treatment.
What is the role of art in the program?
Visual art provides a hands-on method for exploring and understanding somatic experiences introduced during the sessions. This makes art-making a useful experiential counterpart to psychoeducation. As a byproduct of this practice, you will gradually develop an understanding of what makes art, art, which will be translatable to any general art practice.
Can I submit the cost to my insurance plan?
Possibly. Coverage varies by insurance provider and individual plan. Participants are responsible for confirming coverage with their insurer before registering.
Receipts are provided for the sessions.
Is the space accessible?
Unfortunately not.
What kind of art will we make?
The program uses simple visual art exercises connected to the concepts being explored in each session. We will typically be making quick small abstract productions, in the 4 to 10cm range. The emphasis is on somatic observation, experimentation, and process rather than lyrical representation or producing finished and polished artwork.
Do I have to share personal information?
No. Participants are welcome to contribute to group discussion, but there is no expectation to disclose personal experiences or information that they would prefer to keep private.