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The murder of nine members of Charleston's historic Emanuel A. M. E. Church -"Mother Emanuel" to many - on June 17, 2015, brought shock, horror, and grief to the city, the state, and the country. That time also marked the beginning of a journey for many Charlestonians.A year out they' continue that journey, down the road to healing, and away from hatred and division toward understanding and unity.

Hearts Mend Hearts

A mandala drawn by a participant in the Hearts Mend Hearts art therapy workshops that took place at the Charleston County Library.
heartsmendhearts.com

  Dianne Tennyson-Vincent, along with Laura De La Maza, began the art therapy organization called Hearts Mend Hearts.  Both women have a background in therapy, art and teaching.  The organization began after the killings last June at Mother Emmanuel AME Church  of nine parishioners. 

De La Maza and Tennyson-Vincent felt that the city of Charleston was in desperate need of healing and understanding that could be fostered, in part, by art therapy.  Hearts Mend Hearts provided an outlet in the form of art therapy.  They held art the sessions at the Charleston County Public Library in hopes of providing a safe place for people to connect to one another and open up about the tragic events.

Jeanette Guinn talks with Dianne Tennyson-Vincent about Hearts Mend Hearts, art therapy, and the work of the group in the months after the shootings.

160610_dianne_tennyson-vincent-long.mp3
Click Here to Listen to an extended interview with Dianne Tennyson-Vincent about Hearts Mend Hearts. A production of South Carolina Public Radio.

Jeanette Guinn is a professor in the Arts Management Program in College of Charleston’s School of the Arts and is pleased to have former students working in the US, Europe and Australia. After interning at the South Carolina Arts Commission during graduate school, Jeanette spent 25 great years working as an arts manager.