Remembering Whitney at Project Onward

The sharing was beautiful when…

Lance* recited his poem to everyone as a reflection of the turmoil he often feels inside when he thinks about his love for Whitney and how she will never come back.

Oftentimes, when the funeral service ends and the eulogies are finished, it can feel like there is nowhere to go to share what is still on our grieving hearts, nowhere to express the convolution of emotions that go up and down as we remember our loved ones who died. There is no longer a microphone. And there is no longer an audience filled with people who miss our person too. When our founder and Chief Education Officer Rebecca Wu heard about the sudden death of Project Onward’s studio manager Whitney, it was already months after the ceremonies took place. After speaking with their executive director and learning more about what was happening, she knew there needed to be a safe, sacred place for the artists and staff to gather, grieve, and share together, with no set timeframe or program. And that space would never be replaced, moved, or taken away just as Whitney’s memory and friendship is permanently imprinted in their hearts forever.

And that is how together we created Whitney’s Memory Station. Layer by layer. To be added to by anyone in the community who needs to process her loss. And to be received and shared by all who miss her. Grief cannot be fixed but oftentimes we find that grief becomes less lonely when we have company.

Project Onward had a special consideration as their artists have mental and developmental disabilities so everyone’s processing and understanding of the death was very different. Some knew death was permanent while others needed reminders that Whitney would not show up again at her usual desk. Regardless of the spectrum of neuro diversity present in the studio, one thing was crystal clear: everyone loved Whitney.

By using artmaking, sharing, and writing, Rebecca demonstrated how to keep the memory station going in perpetuity on their own and how each piece added is sacred and beautiful. At the station are extra pins and heart papers, ready for drawing. Also at the station is a living memory box, always open for notes, letters, and mementos.

Rebecca came away from the multi-day workshop with a deep appreciation and admiration for Whitney and an even greater connection with the friends she made among the artists and staff.

Click here to learn more about Project Onward and the artists they represent.

 *Lance is a fictious name used to protect the identity of the artist.