Faces of Grief Exhibit and Reception

Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice and The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens are proud to announce a collaborative photography exhibit with Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) titled Faces of Grief. This exhibition will run from January 20 to February 6, 2026, at the Carberry Fine Arts Gallery on the STCC campus, with a public reception scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 11 AM to 1 PM.

Faces of Grief invites viewers into the intimate world of loss and remembrance. Under the guidance of Professor Sondra Peron, STCC darkroom photography students will capture portraits of grieving individuals holding, wearing, or displaying objects that connect them to loved ones who have passed away. Each portrait will be developed as a gelatin silver print and gifted to the participant following the exhibition.

“Grief is often a silent experience,” says Shelly Bathe Lenn, Bereavement Coordinator at Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice. “This project offers a powerful way to honor those who have died and to open up conversations that help us feel less alone.”

Lenn, who has led grief support groups across Western Massachusetts since 2002, uses creative rituals and dialogue to help individuals navigate the complexities of mourning. Her work with The Garden and Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice continues to foster healing spaces for children, teens, and adults.

The Faces of Grief exhibit aims to destigmatize grief and transform discomfort into connection. All are welcome to attend the reception and view the portraits that reflect love, memory, and resilience.

For more information or to participate, please contact Shelly Bathe Lenn at 413-727-5749.