Post 3 | Email | Art Intervention Proposal: Healing Grief through Pets

 The organization: https://good-grief.org/ 

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Dear Good Grief Team,

My name is Suzie Barretto, and I am a student in my senior year studying Illustration at New Jersey City University. I wanted to reach out to see if there might be an opportunity to collaborate on an art project. More specifically, I’ve been developing an art intervention based on research about grief and emotional support. In my research, I found that pets are often cited as one of the greatest sources of comfort for those experiencing bereavement. I plan to use this insight in my project so I can explore how healing can take on many forms, even if it's gained from an animal companion.

To clarify, an art intervention is a creative project that publicly interacts with an audience about a current situation. In this case, my work seeks to challenge the assumption that grief must follow a single emotional path where human-to-human interaction alone should be enough. I find that animals can be immensely beneficial to those who are grieving, and so, through a series of illustrated mini-comics, I aim to depict short, yet sentimental narrative moments between people and their pets as they navigate loss. Each piece will highlight how significant support can come from the silence and connection with a beloved animal.

As someone who has experienced grief themselves, it was a pleasant surprise to learn that an organization like Good Grief exists. I admire the many resources and programs your team offers in order to create safe spaces for families and children coping with loss. I saw on your website that your team hosts a variety of events throughout the year, so I wondered if my project could potentially be featured in one of these settings, perhaps as part of an exhibition, or as a visual resource for your programs. I’d love to find a way to make this project have a positive impact for those who need it, and to learn more about the team’s findings on emotional support. Thank you for your dedication to normalizing feelings of grief for people of all ages. 

I have attached an image below of what an exhibit for the mini-comics might look like. The exhibit could include multiple copies of booklets for people to read through and take. Alongside the booklets and posters of the comics, there could be a section that invites viewers to write down their pets’ names and maybe a favorite moment with them on a sticky note to create a compilation of loved ones on a wall. I believe this kind of interactive setup could resonate well with your organization’s focus on empowering the community.

I really appreciate your time and attention to this potential collaboration. It would be great to connect and learn how art might contribute to your mission. 

All the best,

Suzie Barretto

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