THE Flinders Island community will explore the use of art for healing this week.
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The recent deaths of a number of Flinders Island residents have inspired Wendy Nash and her Alchemy Group to create a community felt to remember and celebrate those lost.
Ms Nash said the use of art as therapy was a holistic and creative way to bring people together.
"I think the community felt is an opportunity for people to come and share in the process of creating a community felt that reflects good grief and celebrates those lost and the legacies they left behind," she said.
"[It provides] an opportunity to communicate with one another and to share the joy of togetherness and supporting one another."
Heart and Soul is the first part of the Journey to Healing project that focuses on dealing with grief in the isolated community.
The project has been funded by the Tasmanian Association for Hospice and Palliative Care and the Flinders Island Aboriginal Association, and is supported by the Flinders Island Council and local businesses.
Ms Nash said four community members had died in a short period of time, which had led the Alchemy Group to apply for funding for the project.
"If someone has grief and loss it's not hard for them to retreat," she said.
"On the islands you can be isolated.
"It's an invitation to come and celebrate the legacy of what people have left behind."
The creation of the community felt will begin on Wednesday, July 22, and will continue until the rolling of the felt on Saturday morning.
The group will hold a Heart and Soul exhibition in September, and another retreat in November.
The community felt will be held at the Flinders Arts and Entertainment Centre in Whitemark.
Times are available on the council website.