A personal oasis for creative expression

Hope, belief in the future, joy, laughter, community, the courage to dare… the wishes written on green fabric leaves were symbolically created from the ribbon that was cut together at the inauguration of JobbCenter’s art studio. Here, employment coach Susanna Hellström draws on her background as an art educator to shape her work with participants who have the opportunity to attend through JobbCenter.

“Here we’ll be able to work on a larger scale, leave things and come back to them,” Susanna said at the opening ceremony.

For the first time, participants in her activities have a space entirely of their own. It offers materials and tools for various art forms, which participants can explore independently with guidance in creative expression.

“It’s so much fun. For me, it’s really personal development — like a kind of self-therapy that gives positive feedback from yourself,” explains one participant, beaming as brightly as the winter sun streaming in over the festively laid table of refreshments at the opening.

“When there’s something to celebrate, it should be celebrated,” Susanna says with a laugh.

Another participant shares that he has long been interested in art, has studied it, and has now found his way back to creating through this initiative.

“I have painting supplies at home too, but it’s when I come here that I actually get started. It feels good,” he says.

They explain that the art sessions help them get to know themselves in new ways, think freely, and be guided toward new ideas through color and form.

“Art is a language, and for some people that form of expression feels closer and more natural than speaking,” says Susanna, who takes great joy in following the participants’ development and witnessing the health-promoting effects of art.

The art group is one of several activities offered in the building through JobbCenter, which provides support, knowledge, counseling, work placements, and coaching, both in groups and individually, offering a toolbox of resources for participants on their journey toward working life.

This particular studio is reserved exclusively for the art group, allowing them to work undisturbed and continuously on their creations. Several other activities are open to everyone in the building, which also houses a restaurant, the Fixarna service, health coaching, yoga, and more, as well as the appreciated “Friday Cup,” attended by both staff and residents of the building