Sacred Spaces in the Classroom
Entering the Studio
One of the first things someone feels when they walk into the art studio, is the sense of clarity of space. A refreshing state of mind is created by being in the studio. The body feels aligned with nature and the inner self. There are four water fountains running, birds flying around and gentle music coming from the ceiling. The Enchanted Way Studio is an oasis tucked away in the corner of Herndon Center, a school for at-risk teenagers ,which is part of Herndon Middle School in Fairfax County Virginia. The art therapy studio has become a place where a foundation of trust and innovative spatial arrangements forms a powerful structure for people to express themselves. Using fundamentals of Feng Shui and the effects of negative ion particles in the air, art therapist James Torrenzano creates a "realignment of the self", which helps promote an inner expression to the physical. Realignment occurs when the body feels aligned to the physical space, with trust encircling this relation. The process involves a balancing of the forces that are constantly interacting with the surroundings.
The fountains are used to create a sense of wonder and enchantment. The sound of water seems
to wash away the tension and help to alleviate the stress of the day. Each group starts by participants closing
their eyes and imagining that the water is washing over them, thus soothing away the sharp edges. In
addition, the room is given a gentle mist of rose water to promote a calming. The rose smell
elicits a cleansed, calm feeling. Research suggests that by misting the air, negative ion particles
are placed back into the atmosphere creating a cool, refreshed feel to the air.
