A Gift to Ourselves

written by Paula Simon Borja & Savvy Sleevar for SPEL: Journalism

Known for its abundance of Renaissance masterpieces, striking statuary, and colorfully graffitied buildings, Florence is a city synonymous with art. Creative energy runs wild here, and that energy is exactly what Livia Sturlese Tosi hopes students at Florence University of the Arts - The American University of Florence (FUA-AUF) can channel as they adjust to life abroad.

Sturlese Tosi, FUA’s school counselor, leads recurring art therapy seminars, a Student Life & Development extracurricular that’s open to all students in search of a creative outlet. With a background in education, psychology, and communication, Tosi runs these sessions with a vision of helping students connect with their emotions and each other through intuitive drawing.

After using art therapy in her work with adolescents years ago, Tosi learned firsthand how transformative it can be to communicate through art.  “When words fail, art speaks,” Tosi says, pointing out how visual expression can capture those complex emotions we sometimes struggle to put into words. And with that knowledge, Tosi’s goal now is to cultivate an inviting space for FUA-AUF students to express themselves — a place without any judgment, stress, or academic pressure.

For the students who stepped into the Excelsior Room in Via Ricasoli, 21 on Oct. 22 at 8:30 p.m., they were greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere. Art supplies covered the far table, and serene music filled the space once everyone settled in.

Sturlese Tosi explains that she conducts art therapy with a focus on what she called “emotional literacy”, which involves a three-phase process. First, participants are encouraged to relax and concentrate. It is not an art class; the drawings should emerge naturally and automatically after a moment of emotional connection where you feel the urge to express your feelings through painting.

The second phase is all about expressing yourself with lines and colors. The third phase involves approaching those shapes and colors as if you were interpreting a dream. This is where you uncover the message, the hidden emotions, and the paths to answer your questions. This last phase, known as "communication with the product," is the most important part of the process. 

Right before students begin to fill their blank pages with color, she concludes by noting, "This is a moment that you deserve, that you dedicate to yourself; a gift to you,” she says. “Not to me, to you." In the beginning, the students might feel a bit unsure of how to express their feelings. Slowly but surely, though, their creative visions start to take shape. 

Sturlese Tosi reassures the group that during these seminars, what they choose to create is up to them. “This is a space where you can be yourself,” she says. With each movement, students begin to share their thoughts and fears through their art. Tosi then opens up the room for group discussion; she guides participants as they delve into the stories behind their creations, allowing them to explore and share their emotions in a supportive setting.

During the first seminar of the semester, students were unsure of how to share their art, Tosi notes. However, by the second meeting, the atmosphere transformed dramatically. Students arrived with more confidence, eager to show their work and engage with one another. “It’s incredible to see the shift,” Tosi says. “Art has a way of breaking down barriers and creating connections.”

The structure of each seminar varies, keeping the experience fresh. Tosi often incorporates elements of mindfulness, guiding students through brief meditation and breathing exercises to help them center themselves before creating art. This practice encourages a deeper connection to their emotions, allowing them to express feelings that may have been buried beneath the surface. 

In upcoming seminars, Tosi plans to introduce some new elements to the activity. To further inspire creativity among students, Tosi says she wants to show a selection of different images, hoping to spark specific emotions that participants can channel in their drawings.

Tosi describes art therapy as a “gift to ourselves,” a rare chance to relax in our hectic world. Despite the pressure to constantly be productive that often weighs heavily on students’ shoulders, the activity encourages them to slow down, embracing moments of stillness and creativity. It’s a reminder that it’s okay to simply be. For students in the midst of stressful moments, the act of creating art becomes a form of self-care. It offers them a chance to truly connect with themselves and, with the help of some markers and colored pencils, express themselves freely.