The Sankofa Circle was a project developed and facilitated by Qaadira Allen which was active from 2008 through 2008.
About Qaadira
Qaadira Allen (pronounced Ke-DEER-ah) has been identified by many roles, each reflecting her passion for, and her fascination with creativity, energy, and the dynamics of change. She brings over 25 years experience as a mixed media artist, writer, transformative art facilitator, health educator, creative life coach, and consultant. She also brings her contagious enthusiasm, intuitive insight and peaceful perspective.
In 1997, Qaadira developed an experiential workshop model that features transformative art as a tool for personal growth and healing, self-empowerment, staff development, and building community. Since that time, she has facilitated programs in the U.S. and Caribbean, for universities, wellness centers, health education agencies, cultural arts centers, patient support groups, retreat centers, women's centers, and social service providers.
Awarded an Arts-in-Healthcare Fellowship in 2004, Qaadira was trained to facilitate art-making experiences for patients at bedside, their families, and medical staff in hospital, hospice, & healthcare settings. This innovative training was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and included supervised work at Bellevue Hospital and Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
Qaadira has been actively involved in various art initiatives, especially those supporting women. She designed Looking in the Mirror of Self, an arts-based series for women in transition and facilitated retreats and workshops for women with cancer. Qaadira founded The Center for Transformative Art to train & certify Transformative Art Facilitators in using these techniques.
She has also received multiple awards from The Leeway Foundation, given to artists who use art for social change.
The word Sankofa represents an Adinkra symbol called “the bird of passage”.
It means "go back and fetch it” and it reflects our intention
to help women connect with those aspects of their spirit
that may have been diminished or lost through trauma or distress.
Copyright 2013 Sankofa Circle. All rights reserved. No portion of this website, including the artwork and images can be used, reproduced or duplicated in any format without express written permission.