Preston Zeller was changed when his 35-year-old brother died suddenly. The two had been thick as thieves throughout their life, shown in their shared passion for adventure and filmmaking. In response to the tragedy, Zeller quits his job and embarks on a year-long art journey, painting one work a day for a year in memory of his brother. At the years end, he, his friends, and family all come together to assemble the individual works of art into one massive work displayed on the wall of his home. With the help of Lindsey Lederman, Zeller explores the meaning of grief and the art history behind society’s collective grief over the eons.
The Art of Grieving is first and foremost a personal documentary. Zeller is the star and the center, and this may be off-putting to some seeking advice for grief. Most of us don’t have the wealth and familial support to just drop off the map for a year so we can process our grief through art, and the lack of discussion around that access was a bit of a sticking point for me personally. Would it help for more people to have access to art therapy as a part of the grieving process? Sure! Are we going to make the massive systemic and societal changes that need to happen to ensure that access? We sure haven’t yet!
Those issues aside, The Art of Grieving is most helpful and interesting when Lederman discusses the psychology of grief and the grieving process and when Zeller dives into art history to explore grief, both in individual artists and in society as a whole. These insightful moments will be of most value to people looking for art history documentaries and psychology pop-docs. If your collection serves a population heavily interested in those topics, consider The Art of Grieving more highly. Recommended.
Where does this documentary belong on public library shelves?
The Art of Grieving belongs in the documentary section, particularly within collections focused on art therapy, psychology, mental health, and bereavement. It also fits well among titles exploring the intersection of creativity and emotional healing. Libraries with curated shelves on self-help, trauma recovery, or expressive arts will find it a valuable and thoughtful addition for patrons seeking solace, understanding, or personal growth through artistic expression.
What kind of film series could use this title?
The Art of Grieving would be an ideal selection for a film series centered around themes of death, loss, and the grieving process. It could serve as a powerful conversation starter in programming focused on emotional resilience, healing through the arts, or end-of-life care. This documentary would also fit well in interdisciplinary series curated by public libraries, universities, or community centers—especially those exploring mental health awareness, trauma-informed care, or the therapeutic role of creativity in processing loss. It’s particularly suitable for audiences including caregivers, hospice workers, artists, therapists, and anyone navigating personal grief.