UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine and Sickle Cell Songwriting Group participants co-wrote the album Warrior’s Path.
This 8-song project takes us on the journey of a sickle cell warrior: from the depths of its darkness to the peaks of life and light.
This page is archived as an example model of an arts prescribing workshop series that aimed to support a marginalized health population through the arts. Learn more about arts prescribing.
This free 7-week songwriting workshop was for Gainesville and surrounding North Central Florida residents living with sickle cell, and for anyone closely affected by sickle cell (Examples: Living with the trait, a significant other, family member, care partner, lost a loved one, etc). The program was designed to improve quality of life of those who have been affected by this lifelong disease by fostering connections through music and storytelling.
The workshops were led by Professional Music Practitioners from UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine. As part of the study, participants may be asked to share their thoughts on how the workshops are going, how effective the activities are, and if there’s anything else they’d like to improve. This feedback is important for developing future workshops; however, it is voluntary.
Participants will write songs in a group setting, providing themes, lyrics, instrumentation, beats, melodies, and more. Participants are not required to perform songs for the recordings, but must consent to have their photos, music, words, and/or name shared as contributors on the final project.
Esteemed Pulp Arts Recording Studios has generously offered a full day of studio time to record the project. All participants are encouraged to attend!
Program Structure: This 7-week songwriting workshop was for Gainesville and surrounding North Central Florida residents living with sickle cell, and for anyone closely affected by sickle cell (Examples: Living with the trait, a significant other, family member, care partners, lost a loved one, etc) who were interested in group songwriting for their well-being. Each workshop was two hours. The series was free and included all materials. The program was limited to 12 participants.
Program Day and Times
Every Wednesday from 6:00-8:00pm for seven weeks.
Listen to Warrior’s Path here.
Location: Faith Mission, 3701 NE 15th St, Gainesville, FL 32609
Program Goals:
- Co-create alongside people with a deeper understanding of sickle cell
- Explore music-making, writing, and storytelling
- Encourage creativity, self-reflection, and social connection
- Increase motivation and self-confidence
- Set and meet creative goals
- Take part in opportunities to s hare and showcase your artwork
- Encourage engaging in a personal art practice beyond the series
Eligibility
- Must be 18+ years of age and reside in Alachua County, or North Central Florida.
- Living with sickle cell disease or are closely impacted by sickle cell (Example: living with the trait, significant other, family member, care partner, lost a loved one, etc).
Requirements
- In-person attendance for six sessions is required. The Pulp Arts studio day is not required unless the participant is an integral part of the performance piece.
- Participants experiencing a pain crisis or those who may become ‘in-patient’ during the series will still have access to the workshop remotely via Zoom. At this time, Arts in Medicine can provide devices only during in-patient status at UF Health Shands. Participants may – and are encouraged to – use personal devices to tune in remotely.
- Participants must consent to participate in the workshop series.
- Participants must consent to have their photos, music, words, and/or name shared as a contributor on the final project.