Just Imagine...an art center with a healing vision

Marti Copplestone says it was literally a vision that led her to become one of the co-founders of the Just Imagine Creative Arts Healing Center in Traverse City.
“I lost my daughter Kerrie Hanson to leukemia five years ago, and before I lost her we had a vision to create a center for the healing arts,” Marti recalls.
Co-founder Laurie Gonda has a similar tale of loss. Prior to meeting Marti, she was saddened by the loss of her nine-month-old niece, and then a couple of years later, by the death of her sister. “As sad as it was, it was a major incentive to keep working on the center,” she says. “It helped us to get through our own grief.”

CREATIVE HEALING
Indeed, healing through the creative expression of art is a major goal of the center, located in a former church on 14th Street. And it’s a process that also involves reaching out to other people who are facing the same emotional hardships.
In Marti and Laurie’s case, they recognized each other as artistic soulmates united by a common cause. Laurie works in stained glass while Marti is a painter. The two were brought together by a shared exhibition space.

“We both had our art exhibited at the Dish Café and it brought us together,” Laurie recalls. “We just connected immediately, similar to a family connection. I fell right into wanting to become a part of the center.”
Marti says that Laurie has been “like a daughter” to her, and together they put their energy into purchasing the $260,000 church and renovating it with many helpers to become an exuberant showcase for healing powers of art. An anonymous benefactor helped purchase the building and Just Imagine opened in March 2004.
It has been a swirl of artistic energy ever since. There are teen concerts, a Friday night coffeehouse with an open mic and poetry readings, kids’ theater, art instruction and programs, a wedding sanctuary, library, and a beautiful “Healing Garden” out back, complete with a waterfall.
A Girrrlie Group for those 13 and up offers arts, music, dancing, drumming and many other projects combined with food and performance.
A GALS Network offers much the same for older women, with lectures, fun events such as belly dancing and a dining component.
A “La Dolce Vita” offers a communication session for 10 couples each month, featuring a cooking class with visiting chefs, dinner by candlelight, wine, and ballroom dance lessons.
In fact, many of the center’s programs involve three aspects mentioned above: something intellectual such as a lecture or art project; something physical such as a performance or dance; and something good to eat as a way to share.

A PEOPLE PLACE
You can tell that Just Imagine is a success by the many people attracted to its mission of providing a safe, innovative place for self-discovery and healing through art, grief support and spiritual awareness.
Toni Stanfield, for instance, brings nine years of experience as a hospice grief and bereavement counselor. A chance walk-in while the center was still being renovated landed her a position in grief counseling and spiritual direction. “I also believe in the healing power of the arts,” she says. “I heard about the center and walked in to introduce myself while they were still painting the place, and before I knew it, I was working on programs of healing for the community,” she recalls.
Michelle Goetz-Grahl got involved in the center after a difficult move to the area.
“I had a different kind of loss,” she notes. “I moved here last winter from Washington D.C. and felt kind of lost being in a new place.”
Michelle moved to the area seeking a change of lifestyle to better care for her 20-month-old daughter who is diabetic. As it happened, she is a professional event planner, and her skills dovetailed with the needs of the center.
Tanya Donahue came to the center as an actress staging a production of “Our Town,” which she had performed at Interlochen. Unexpectedly, she learned that the center had need of a performing arts coordinator. Today, she is fulfilling that role, organizing children’s theater, teen concerts and other events.

WORK OF ART
“The way it’s developing, it’s in a state of constant growth,” says Stanfield. “We don’t know what’s going to happen day by day here, but we do know that the center is always developing with new people and programs.”
Like to get involved? Check out the center at www.justimaginechahc.com to explore their many programs. Or, stop by at 225 W. 14th Street.
Better yet, check out the center’s June 11 Art Auction and Fundraiser to lend a hand and see for yourself all of the good things happening (see sidebar).

Watch Us Grow Fundraiser

The Just Imagine Creative Arts Healing Center has had an excellent response from the community, but needs funds to keep a good thing happening.

Thus, a Come Watch Us Grow fundraiser is planned on Saturday, June 11 from 2-6 p.m. at the center at 225 W. 14th Street in Traverse City.

Events will include live entertainment, food, wine from Bel Lago Winery, a Garden Stone Project, treasure dig, children’s theatre performance of “The Healing Garden,” live & silent auctions and a surprise giveaway.

An adult donation of $25 is requested for the event, with kids welcome. For ticket sales or information, call 932-9808.
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