02/01/2026
Join in! ‘Rooted in Compassion: A Collective Expressive Arts Garden’
During the Palliative Care Symposium next June 4 & 5, attendees are invited to take part in a playful expressive arts experience by creating and inserting flowers, butterflies, mushrooms, birds, whimsical creatures, etc., to a shared Garden of Compassion. Together, we'll symbolically dig our roots and draw nourishment—cultivating beauty, self-compassion, presence, and belonging—to support healing, as well as personal and professional journeys of patients, practitioners, and care providers.
Colorful materials and easy techniques are provided, offering a relaxing and playful creative pause between sessions or while listening to presentations. Attendees join local patients participating in Dr. Alessandra Colfi’s Expressive Arts program, fostering an integrated healing community rooted in compassion.
The completed Garden of Compassion will be displayed during the Symposium and available as a photobooth—becoming a collective tapestry that honors our shared journey of healing, resilience, and transformation.
This project is open to patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, families, supporters: everyone is invited to create and send me their flowers, etc. to fill the HEART from now until the end of March; although it's open through the end of May, since the symposium is in June, so last minute contributions are always welcome! Everyone is also invited to help spreading the word to other patients, practitioners, caregivers and supporters.
Patients interested in creating together in live workshops can sign up for Alessandra's spring 8-week series at UC San Diego Cancer Services 'Metaphors from Nature' starting April 3 through May 22 - an update with the link with details and to register will be provided.
With love and Gratitude,
Alessandra
