Healing And Recovery Through The Arts International Conference
Mejorar a traves del Arte Conferencia Internacional
Havana, Cuba
GOALS OF THE FIRST HEALING AND RECOVERY THROUGH THE ARTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
• To create a global forum for sharing innovative and ground-breaking
mental health initiatives that foster
healing and recovery through the arts;
• To present the work of Canadian and Cuban artists who are experiencing
healing and recovery through the arts;
• To establish a twinning relationship between Cuba and Canada, to promote
and share methodologies for arts-based mental health initiatives;
• To provide art materials on an ongoing basis to help sustain healing
and recovery through the arts in Cuba;
• To organize a committee of mental health professionals, consumers of
mental health services, supportive allies,
and individuals involved in the healing arts, who will develop an international
organization to plan future
Healing And Recovery Through the Arts conferences in other countries.
This international organization is to be known as
Arts-based Recovery Therapies International (ARTS International)
CANADA-CUBA PARTNERS AND AFFILIATES
Homewood Health Centre
Spark of Brilliance
ArteVida
Mental Health Centre of Playa
Psychiatric Hospital of Havana
Art Therapy Canada Cuba
Moreno Travel
NCPestill
CONFERENCE PLANNERS
Edgardo L. Perez - MD, MPH, FRCPC, CHE, CPHQ, CEO, Homewood Health Centre,
Canada
Judith Rosenberg - Founder, Spark of Brilliance, Canada
Ernesto Marzoa - MD, Founder, ArteVida Cuba, & Director Community Mental
Health Centre of Playa
Joe Power - Reg. N. BA, Homewood Health Centre, Canada
Wilson M. Lit - MD, FRCPC, Director of Community Division, Homewood Health Centre,
Canada
Adrienne Hunter - PhD, Consultant, Canada-Cuba Medical Events
Bonnie Eccles - Consultant, Cuba Conferences and Cultural Tours (Moreno Travel)
CONFERENCE VENUES & DATES
Hotel Parque Central, November 6 to 11 inclusive, Havana, Cuba
Community Mental Health Centre of Playa - Apasionado (Passionate) art
exhibition
Extra optional days in Havana or Varadero available at own expense
PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION
Professional accreditation (of 12 credits) for Canadian physicians & psychiatrists will be awarded, with equivalent accreditation for Cuban physicians and psychiatrists.
CONFERENCE LANGUAGES
English and Spanish
I T I N E R A R Y
Day 1 - Day of Arrival
Transfer by bus to hotel, exclusive check-in, welcome cocktail
Evening at leisure
Evening activities may include cultural events, ballet performances, concerts,
etc. Musical shows abound
with Le Parisien at the Hotel Nacional, Turquino Bar at the Habana Libre Hotel,
or the fabulous Club Tropicana. Musical
events may include the Buena Vista Social Club, jazz at La Zorra Y El Cuervo,
El Gato Tuerto, or the Jazz Café, among other welcoming clubs and bars.
Old Havana is an architectural treasure and offers visitors a myriad of galleries,
museums, restaurants and churches. Many of the buildings have been restored
to their former historical charm. A further list of suggestions will be in your
registration kit.
___________________________________________________________________________
Day 2 - Day of Cultural and Medical Visits
• Morning departure from Hotel Parque Central by bus with guides at 9:30
am
• Visit the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana - Welcome by Director, Dr.
Somarribas; introduction & descriptive of Hospital's policy; tour of facility;
cultural presentation of music and dance by patients; lunch at the hospital
provided.
• Transfer back to hotel at 2:30 pm
Transfer by bus from hotel at 3:30 for Canadian and Cuban delegates, to the
Community Mental Health Centre of Playa, for the opening of 'Apasionado ( Passionate)',
an art exhibition of the works of Canadian and Cuban artists, including members
of ArteVida, Spark of Brilliance, and the unique collaborative work of Lionel
Martin, and "Joya" (Esteban Garcia), and an exhibition
from the children of the Jose de La Luz y Caballero School, presented by the
Director, Ulises Cruz Grau; Musical entertainment will be provided by Warapo,
and non-alcoholic refreshments and finger food prepared by the Citizens of the
Community of Playa. This event is scheduled for approximately 4:10 pm with return
to hotel at approximately 7:00 pm.
Dinner on your own. After dinner, anytime after 9 pm, let's all get together to catch some sultry Cuban rhythms on the rooftop patio of the Hotel Inglaterra, (the oldest hotel in Havana), adjacent to the Parque Central. Here you will see the most spectacular view of historical Cuban architecture. Hope to see you there after dinner!
You can also get to know Havana by night:
• Visit the firing of the canon at El Morro (The Fort), a centuries old
Cuban custom
• Stroll the Malecon (Boardwalk)
• Walk through the Four Squares in Old Havana
• Sip a mojito or daiquiri under the stars
_________________________________________________________________________
Day 3 - OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE
P R O G R A M
9:30 am Welcome Remarks "The Importance of Creating Dialogue For Healing
and Recovery Through The Arts", program logic model, and overview of the
history of this project - Conference Chair, Judith Rosenberg (15 minutes)
9:45 am Welcome Remarks on behalf of Cuba - Dr. Guillermo Barrientos, Head of
GOSMA Nacional (Grupo Operativo de Salud Mental y Adicciones) National Board
of Psychiatry (15 minutes)
10:00 am Introduction of Cuban guest speaker, Dr. Ricardo Gonzalez Menendez,
President of the Cuban Psychiatric Society - Dr. Ernesto Marzoa (5 minutes)
10:05 am Dr. Ricardo Gonzalez Menendez - "Rehabilitating Mental Health
Patients With Dignity and Respect"
(20 minutes & 10 minutes Q&A)
10:35 am Coffee Break (15 minutes)
10:50 am Introduction to Canadian guest speaker, Dr. Edgardo L. Perez, CEO &
Chief of Staff, Homewood Health Centre - Judith Rosenberg (5 minutes)
10:55 am Dr. Edgardo L. Perez - "Integrated Arts-based Therapies Within
Homewood Health Centre" (20 minutes & 10 minutes Q&A)
11:25 am Introduction of Jay Lefler, Artist & Mental Health Advocate - Judith
Rosenberg (5 minutes)
11:30 am Guest Canadian Artist - Jay Lefler "What the Arts Mean to Me",
sharing his work (20 minutes & 10 minutes Q&A)
12:00 noon Lunch is served to all delegates in the dining room
AFTERNOON PRESENTATIONS from 1:15 to 5:00 pm
1:15 to 2:00 pm "Two Steps And A Glass Of Water" - James Gordon,
Director, Musician, Song-writer. A documentary film production by Glenn Curtis,
depicting a unique multimedia theatrical production, written and performed by
The Spark of Brilliance Players and directed by James Gordon. Open forum for
discussion.
2:00 to 2:45 pm "Environmental Structures" - Barbara Guy Long, Willow
Artist and Creative Mentor. This slide presentation and lecture will give examples
of guiding a community of people with severe mental health issues through the
design and installation of a living willow structure.
2:45 to 3:00 pm Coffee Break
3:00 to 5:00 pm "Using Horticulture As A Therapeutic Tool"
- Mitchell Hewson HTM, Horticulture Therapist, Homewood Health Centre, author of "Horticulture
As A Therapy". Book available.
An Art Exhibition of local artists will grace the Conference Room and entrance
salon, including the works of
Amarilis Veliz, with artistic contributions from Galeria Manos, Galeria Luz
y Colors, Galeria Forma, Galeria Carmen Montilla Tinoco, Galeria Nelson Dominguez,
Galeria La Acacia, Galeria Zaida Del Rio, Galeria La Mano Ciega, and the photography
of Hubert Casellas Perez (Cuba) and Trina Koster (Canada).
While this evening is on your own, may we suggest you visit the hospitality
desk to reserve for dinner at the restaurant on the 25th floor of the Habana
Libre Hotel, the tallest building in Havana. You will have a breathtaking view
of the City, and dine with your colleagues. For after dinner activities please
refer to your Registration Kit for information about the many wonderful night
spots in Havana. This evening is on your own
_______________________________________________________________
Day 4 - 2nd DAY OF CULTURAL AND MEDICAL VISITS
9:30 am Bus departure from Hotel Parque Central - to Las Terrazas (Biosphere),
an all day excursion to a unique, rustic community of farmers and artists, inhabiting
a rural, sustainable development that encompasses 5000 hectares of forest in
the heart of the Sierra del Rosario Reserve. You will receive an overview of
the history of the Biosphere by the Director of the Rancho Corojey; experience
the lush endemic flora and fauna; and visit the ruins of the Buena Vista coffee
plantation and San Juan River pools. You will enjoy a broad spectrum of the
local arts culture including: ceramics, recycled paper, silk screening, vegetable
fibre and wood carving. You will be welcomed at the studios of well known artists;
participate in popular games with local Cubans.
Lunch At Casa del Campesino (House of the Farmer) is included
Late Afternoon Transfer back to hotel. After this activity packed day, may we suggest you might wish to relax by the pool and enjoy a mojito, stroll the grounds, visit the hotel spa, or gym, on your own.
Evening at leisure on your own. Please refer to your Registration kit for suggestions
of local night spots and restaurants.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Day 5 - 2nd DAY OF CONFERENCE
9:15 am Introduction to panel of Cuban artists - Dr. Ernesto Marzoa
9:30 to 10:15 am Panel of Cuban artists will share their experiences with mental health issues, and the relationship between creative expression and their evolution of healing and recovery (in Spanish with English translation). (Panel 30 minutes/15 minutes Q&A)
10:15 to 10:45 am "Healing And Recovery Through The Arts"
Video Presentation
of Spark of Brilliance -
Judith Rosenberg, Founder (20 minutes/10 minutes Q&A)
10:45 to 11:15 am Coffee Break (30 minutes)
11:15 to 12:15 pm "Artevida" - Introduction by Dr. Ernesto Marzoa,
to a panel of members of the staff of Artevida, who will provide an overview
of the goals and accomplishments of this arts-based initiative offered
at the Community Mental Health Centre of Playa.
12:15 to 1:15 pm Lunch provided in the hotel dining room
AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES from 1:15 TO 4: 15 pm
1:15 to 3:15 pm Twinning in "Recovery Through the Arts" - ceremony & an exchange of artistic gifts by Cuban and Canadian artists, with remarks by the Cuban Minister of Culture, Abel Prieto, and the Canadian Ambassador to Cuba, Alexandra Bugailiskis. This will be followed by greetings from John Jones, Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, and Kenneth Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Directors, Homewood Health Centre.
Entertainment: A performance by La Colmenita, an internationally known children's
theatre troupe, and
James Gordon, well-known Canadian Musician, Song-writer, and mental health activities,
who will perform
the theme song he has written especially for this conference.
3:15 pm Arts-based Recovery Therapies International (ARTS International) - a
discussion of the Goals and Objectives of ARTS International - led by Dr. Ernesto Marzoa & Judith Rosenberg
3:30 to 4:00 pm Organization of committee for ARTS International, Dr. Ernesto Marzoa
4:00 pm to 4:15 Closing remarks from Dr. Gustavo Torroella, Director Catedra de Educacion Para El Desarrollo Humano, at the Institute of Instituto Pedagogico Latioamericano y Caribena (IPLAC).
4:00 to 4:15 pm Wrap up and checkout information - Bonnie Eccles, your conference travel consultants
6:30 pm Attendance at Gala Celebration - AlegRia! - (Joy/Gladness and
Laughter)
A sumptuous dinner at the exquisite Café del Orient , where you will
be entertained by the resident
musicians.
DEPARTURE DAY
Check out Before 9 am
9:30 am Depart for ELAM (Latin American School of Medicine)
10:15 to 11:30 am Visit and tour of ELAM
11:45 am Depart for Havana International Airport to arrive by 12:30 pm
Important Notice:
• Itinerary and flight times are subject to change without notice or
penalty.
• Delegates must have 25 CUCs (Cuban convertible pesos) ready at the airport
for departure tax
• The service charge to change Canadian money to Cuban convertible pesos
is 8%
• The service charge to use a Canadian credit card 11%
• Deposit of $250.00 is non refundable as of Aug 01/05
BON VOYAGE … See you next year!
Post script: Should you wish to arrange additional days in Cuba, (Havana or Varadero) please connect with your travel consultants: Ms. Bonnie Eccles (416) 695-8888 Email: Bonnie Eccles (bonniee@sympatico.ca)
We would like to extend our extreme gratitude to the Managers and Staff of
the Hotel Parque Central; the various people for their generosity in arranging
the Conference room art exhibition; the citizens of Playa for their hospitality;
the staff of The Community Mental Health Centre of Playa, Homewood Mental Health
Clinic and supporters, the tour operators and ground events planners,, the
artists, musicians, and photographers, Government officials, and Ambassadors,
members of the mental health communities of Cuba and Canada, and all those who
have contributed to the planning of this conference!