Jasmine Godinez-Gomez
Art for Grievers offers creative workshops where folks can come together to explore, process, & play with their grief. Founded and Directed by Jasmine Godinez-Gomez of mirroredheart LLC.
Work of He(art): Using Art and Play to Stay Present During Grief
Art and play offer therapeutic avenues for processing grief.
What was the catalyst for you stepping into this work? How did you end up here, at this moment, doing what you do?
My life completely changed when I experienced the stillbirth of my baby in December of 2019. This experience radicalized me into doula work, grief work, showed me the value of care, support, & grief awareness in my life & in our communities.
What do you hope people get from working with you or interacting with your services?
My hope is that folks working with me or utilizing my offerings gain a sense of expansiveness in terms of what their grief journey can be like & feel like. I hope they feel supported & held as they explore their grief & tap into their own creative healing.
What do you wish was different about the way we are supported when dying, grieving, and navigating end-of-life in general? What would you change?
I wish that our society openly welcomed & understood grief as an integral part of the human experience. I wish that these important conversations & resources were more commonly being shared early, before a death or loss takes place. I believe the time is always now to really get to know ourselves & our communities, so that we may show up fortified & offer appropriate care & support to dying and grieving folks in those defining moments.
What would you say to someone who is nervous about attending events about death or grief?
I would say that's okay I’m nervous too, haha. But really, you are welcome here. Come as you are. Nerves and all. There is something really honorable about leaning in bravely towards something new or not fully understood. That's really what death & grief care is all about. Trusting and leading with curiosity. If you feel an interest to explore these events/spaces trust that, most likely they are meant for you.
If someone meets you at the resource fair - what's a question you invite them to ask you?
Ask about upcoming events, whatever I’m currently obsessed with lol, food & coffee in Long Beach. If they are a fellow artists, ask about collaborations.
