Art-based Therapy Grant Gives MCC Students Cultural Enrichment

Through the Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA), Middlesex Community College is offering two free workshops to teach traditional Cambodian art forms to students. Both the dance and ceramics workshops are funded by an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) grant in support of art-based therapy.

“At Middlesex, we strive to support students beyond the classroom and we are grateful for the AANAPISI funding to be able to provide opportunities for cultural and personal enrichment for our students,” said Virak Uy, MCC’s Director of Asian American Student Advancement Program. “The workshops help us to create safe spaces for students to engage with each other, explore different cultures, and improve their mental health through art.”

Middlesex partnered with Indras Artistic Creations to teach students two dances, Robam Choun Pour (Blessing Dance) and Robam Kous Traloak (Coconut Dance). While the Blessing Dance is used for celebrations, the Coconut Dance is often done after a long work day.

During the workshop, the Blessing Dance is taught by Kennis Yin-Mor, an MCC alum and Assistant Coordinator of Youth Programs for the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association. Yin-Mor believes that the value of college is more than attending classes.

“Students participating in extracurricular activities like this program builds teamwork, communication, relationships, and a sense of belonging,” said Kennis Yin-Mor, Assistant Coordinator of Youth Programs for the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association. “All of which help students to develop socially and be successful in college. Also, it demonstrates the importance of community and college involvement.”

MCC Mathematics student Pichraksmey Hoeu is one of the instructors for the dances. She was excited to develop her teaching skills and try out new experiences

“Khmer traditional dance is one of my favorite activities since I was young and this is the best opportunity to explore Cambodian culture,” Hoeu said. “Participants will not only know more about Cambodian culture, but they will also feel relaxed from school and work and have fun.”

The Traditional Cambodian Ceramics workshop will be taught by MCC Professor – and master ceramicist – Yary Livan. Students will work with clay, carve and draw basic designs, and create a final sculptural piece based on Cambodian style art.

Whether joining the dance or ceramics workshops, “the participants will have a great time and relieve all of their stress” Hoeu said.