G. Ferraris Day Centre: From the Art Studio to the Stage
Three years of clinical art therapy with people with cognitive and physical disabilities. A group journey spanning painting and storytelling that culminated in a theatrical performance (costume design) and an exhibition open to the neighbourhood. Proof that creativity knows no barriers.
Three Years of Creative Journey
From 2016 to 2019 I led a continuous clinical art therapy programme at the Centro Diurno Disabili G. Ferraris in Milan, working with a group of people with cognitive and physical disabilities. An intense experience that taught me how creativity is a universal language, capable of transcending every barrier.
The Journey: From Painting to the Stage
The work unfolded gradually and organically, passing through different phases and expressive languages:
- Painting and drawing: the first sessions were devoted to exploring materials — tempera, pastels, watercolours, chalks — to discover one’s own mark, one’s own colour, one’s own way of inhabiting the space of the page, and also to build relationships among the participants. The activities included the paper marbling technique, through which the group members created unique and surprising artefacts. The sale of their creations allowed them to experience first-hand the value of their own work, strengthening their sense of self-efficacy and recognition of their abilities, while also generating proceeds for the Centre.
- Visual storytelling: progressively, the group began telling stories through images, constructing collective narratives that wove together personal experiences and imagination.
The Exhibition Open to the Neighbourhood
We set up an exhibition of the artworks created over the three years of the workshop. The show was open to the neighbourhood, transforming the Centre into a meeting place and a space for dialogue with the surrounding community.
Creativity knows no barriers. When you give a person the tools to express themselves, what emerges is always authentic and powerful.
The Theatrical Performance
The programme also culminated in an artistic theatrical production involving the group participants. Stage costumes were created for the parallel drama activity. It was a deeply moving occasion — for the participants, their families and the care staff alike.
What I Learned
Working with disability taught me patience, deep listening and respect for each person’s pace. I learned that the artistic product is never the goal — what matters is the process, the relationship, and the discovery that one can create something beautiful together.