As we enter into the dark months of winter, it is powerful to surround ourselves with the light and beauty of spring. In this workshop, you will compose a visual piece using collage materials (different types of paper and fabric, natural elements that harken the spring--flowers, plants, seashells, seeds--and essential oils) to create a mixed media SUNCATCHER framed in an embroidery ring. Using encaustic medium (beeswax with resin), you will seal the materials and anoint the wax with essential oil.  You will make a functional piece of art that acts as an aromatherapy diffuser once you hang it on your window and a visual reminder of the beauty of the spring that is already on its way. 

No experience needed.

Writing is Healing

Are you looking for practical ways to boost your health and well-being? Join us for a transformative workshop that explores the power of expressive writing for individuals with chronic illnesses. Through a series of interactive exercises and group discussions, you will discover how writing about emotions and stress can improve immune functioning and promote healing.

This workshop draws on the latest research to explore the parallels between expressive writing and psychodynamic psychotherapies. You will learn practical tools and techniques for tapping into your inner resources, gaining greater self-awareness, and building resilience in the face of illness.

Whether you are a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to enhance your well-being and immune function. Don't miss out on this chance to discover the transformative power of expressive writing. Join us today!

Curriculum

I. Writing for Mindfulness: Using various journal writing prompts, participants will develop a heightened sense of presence and gain tools to enhance focus, concentration, and effective self-monitoring.

II. Writing for Positive Release: Engage in guided writing exercises designed to mitigate stress, lower anxiety, and increase calm. These exercises include journaling, visual extension, drama, music, and movement components, and will help you discover new ways to release tension and promote positive emotional states.

III. Poetic Empowerment: Tap into your own poetic power and explore the art of crafting, revising, and performing poetry. You'll have the opportunity to experiment with different poetic forms, including Where I am From, Found Poetry, and I Am poems, and create visual elements, paper crafts, and bookmaking projects to accompany your work.

Whether you're a seasoned writer or a newcomer to the craft, our Writing for Mindfulness curriculum offers a unique opportunity to explore the power of writing as a tool for personal growth, self-expression, and stress relief. Join us today and discover the transformative potential of the written word.

4-week class: $80, hr per session, virtual or in person

Drop-in session: $20 with experienced instructors.

Duration: 1 hour and a half

Who am I? A course in Auto-Archeology

Explore your inner self and discover your authentic identity through expressive art activities in this transformative workshop.

Who am I? A Course in Auto-Archeology is a series of exploratory exercises that help uncover hidden or latent talents, desires, and wishes, while integrating past, present, and future experiences.

This workshop is designed to help you:

• Uncover your authentic self through creative expression

• Increase self-awareness and self-confidence

• Explore and integrate past, present, and future experiences

• Discover new talents and abilities

• Build intrapersonal skills and audacity

Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of yourself and unlock your creative potential. Visit our website for detailed information and registration.

Register

Curriculum

I. Intention/Mindfulness/Centering Exercise

• Begin the workshop with an exercise to set an intention, focus the mind, and cultivate mindfulness.

II. Guided Meditation/Journaling Response

• Engage in a guided meditation to access inner wisdom, followed by journaling to reflect on insights and experiences.

III. Literary/Poetic Reflection/Quote Wisdom Response

• Explore literature and poetry as a source of inspiration and wisdom, and respond to them through writing and creative expression.

IV. Core Creative Activity

• Encaustic Photography Collage

• Where I'm From Visual Poem

• Life-Size Character Drawing

• A Chapter from My Life Graphic Novel Creation

• Me Mandala

• Claymation

• Selfie Collage

• Engage in a core creative activity to express personal experiences and emotions through different artistic mediums.

V. Active Witnessing/Sharing of Creativity

• Share and witness the creative work of others, and engage in meaningful discussion and feedback.

VI. Journal Synthesis

• Synthesize personal insights and creative work through journaling and reflection.

VII. Ending Ceremony

• Conclude the workshop with a reflective and meaningful ending ceremony.

VIII. Evaluation/Feedback

• Provide feedback on the workshop and evaluate its impact on personal growth and development.

Workshop includes:

• All materials, art supplies, paper, and encaustic medium will be provided for the chosen core creative activity.

1-on-1 single session: $50 with experienced instructors

Visual Poetry

Join us for an immersive experience where we combine the power of words and images to create a unique form of expression. In this workshop, we'll explore the intuitive method of black out or "found" visual poetry and experiment with patterns and designs to create stunning visual poetry pages.

As we delve into this creative process, we'll explore how this art form can connect both the left and right hemispheres of our brain. Through sharing and witnessing with our partners and circle, we'll gain insights and inspiration to further develop our unique visual poetry collections.

No prior experience is required, and all materials will be provided. Our workshop is led by a skilled facilitator who will guide you through the process and provide support along the way. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock your creativity and explore the power of visual poetry.

Workshop Activities:

I. Serendipity Activity. What is means to find and be found. Presentation on Black Out Poetry.

II Finding meaning in a random text. Word Search.

III Finding meaning through image. Creating images, patterns, textures through various media—markers, pens, pastels, tempera paint, inks.

IV Performance and Exhibition of the Found Poems.

Single class: $10, 1 hour per session, virtual or in person

Learn the three ways to make your own natural soaps: cold process, hot process and melt-and-pour. In this workshop, I will take you through the cold process of making soap using 100% oils and essential oils that can be tweaked to different skin needs. Soap bars you purchase in the supermarket are full of abrasive chemicals. Here we learn to craft emollient real soap from natural ingredients such as olive oil, grapeseed, jojoba, sunflower, shea butter, oatmeal, even yogurt and goat milk. Great for amateur chemists and those wanting to take control of what is in their soap. Calibrate soap recipes to your skin type. Learn the process and experiment at home. We will review oils, essential oils and decorative techniques such as layering, swirling, and creative molding. Go home with 4-5 oz bars and the knowledge to keep making your own creations.

Combine the beauty of words with beautiful images in this workshop where word and image marry to capture the fragrance of flowers. Using a variety of visual techniques (collage, watercolor, oil pastels, chalk pastels, charcoal) participants will compose a short poem related to a specific flower and a visual art piece that relates to it. Other poem paintings related to flowers will be recited for inspiration. Real and dried flowers will be displayed with their emotional properties and associations.

All materials included. No previous experience necessary. $25/ 2 hour class.

Memory/Shadow Boxing:

Carl Jung conceptualized the archetype of the Shadow. This is the part of our unconscious mind that Jung believed to hold all the things about ourselves that we repress, whether because they are evil, socially unacceptable, harmful to others, or detrimental to our own health. Our Shadows embody our inner darkness, the things about ourselves we hide, the damage we experience in our lives but never fully heal, desires we cannot satisfy.

Jung chronicled much of his experience with the Shadow self in his work Aion, and it is agreed today that the Shadow self can be described as highly emotional, driven by primal instinct, often violent, and usually concealed from the social world by the conscious mind. Jung also believed the qualities in our Shadow were determined by the things we criticize the most in others. It is, so to speak, the dark mind, everything we separate from the rest of ourselves. But true self-awareness cannot take place unless we delve into the dark parts of ourselves and accept them and intregrate them into one’s conscious ego. The darkest part of our minds makes up some of the most important parts of our identities. For the majority of our lives, social and private, we repress the darkest things that deeply define us.

In this workshop we will delve into the Shadow side of ourselves through a series of multi-modal exercises aimed at shedding light into the darkenss, including journaling, movement, and visual art culminating in a Surrealist Shadow Box art project following the example of Joseph Cornell. Our workshop is available for individuals or groups and will be guided by a trauma-informed expressive arts practitioner.

Register

Workshop Activities:

I. Understanding the Shadow. Excerpts from Jung’s Aion and how the Shadow is formed. Examples of the Shadow in life, literature, and art through a brief presentation.

II Shadow Dancing. Intuitive movement through music in the dark to induce a trance-like state in an effort to embrace our physical shadow.

III Delving into the Dark Side. Drama role plays that involve dialogues between the conscious light vs unconscious shadow side. Visualization of the dark side of the moon. Dream image journaling. Prompts for journaling to delve into our demons.

IV Surfacing and Integrating the Dark. Using the “artefacts” uncovered during our movement and journaling, we will collage, draw images and words for our dioramas. Exemplars from Joseph Cornell’s work

V Shedding Light on the Shadow Dark. Synthesis of the shadow into our consciousness. Sharing our shadow side within the trusted creative community. Composing an integration Ode to my Shadow.

Reflections and sharing of the process.

All materials will be provided including handouts, diorama boxes, craft materials, printed matter.

Single class: $30, 2 hours per session, in person

Discover the serendipity of pulling prints! Unlike drawing, printing involves an element of surprise.

Learn printmaking techniques including:

-stencils

-Geli plates

-Japanese papers

-subtractive and additive technique

-simple screen printing

-textured brayers

-inks, stamp pads

Walk away with a series of unique prints that you can later embellish with graphite, Posca markers, gold leaf

Embrace creativity's power for well-being and longevity. Join us to foster inspiration, self-discovery, and lasting fulfillment.

Use organic materials—extra virgin olive oil, organic coconut oil, baking soda, Epsom salts, essential oils, corn starch—to create fragrant beautiful bath bombs to gift to friends or self. In this workshop you will learn the tricks to making your own bath bombs, not too dry, not too wet, and discover the essential oil combinations and embellishment assortments that will wow your receivers. You will become acquainted with some of the more common herbs and essential oils and their properties for skin health. Then indulge in your bath bombs in a hot soothing bath that fizzles with goodness and fragrance. Great as an aromatherapy exercise. $25 all materials included.

Do you juggle too many responsibilities? Do you feel overwhelmed/ harried/ uncentered? As a mature woman you juggle many things: work, family, household, finances, shopping, health, friends. If you feel feel scattered, low on energy, this workshop is for YOU. You will use your creativity, get in touch with your body to hear what it is telling you, get insights into what you need to center yourself, prioritize your intentions, and connect to others on the same journey. Expressive arts techniques will be explored: intuitive movement/dance, drama role play, journaling/poetry, visual art, a caring community that will hold the space and share and respond to you. You will emerge more centered, calm, and empowered to find the balance that you need in your life. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others. $25/person 1.5-2 hours

Eco-therapy & Nature Walks

In this workshop, we will explore the benefits of walking meditation in nature and how it can inspire art making. We will take a guided walk through a natural setting, focusing on mindfulness through silence and observation. During the walk, we will engage in nature writing and journaling, and share stories with each other. We will return to our art space and create art inspired by our experiences.

Nature is a natural panacea for our physical, emotional and psychological well-being. Studies show that walking through natural places can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes by 50%, prevent conditions like depression, obesity, ADHD, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and relieve stress and anxiety. In fact, doctors often prescribe walking through nature as part of their patient's therapy regimen.

Join us for a rejuvenating experience that combines the therapeutic benefits of nature with the expressive art-making process. All levels of experience are welcome. Even in the most urbanized centers, there are naturally wild places within a half-hour's drive that you can escape to – and we're here to be your guide.

Workshop Activities:

Cost: $10 per person

• Dates: Workshops run from September through May in NYC

• Times: Sundays, 4-7 pm

• Places: Various parks and green areas in NYC

• Duration: 1 hour (or slightly longer)

• Workshop includes:

  • All art-making materials, including sketchbooks and reading materials

  • Services of a licensed educator and expressive arts facilitator

  • Admission fees for parks, if applicable, are not included in the cost

Rumi is the poet of mystical love. In this workshop we open our souls to the mystic intensity of Rumi’s verse and combine it with the Sufi tradition of whirling dervish dancing. Using his poetry as inspiration, we will go into a “trance-like state” to uncover the love within us, dance with the universe, and laugh with the knowledge that we are connected in Love that transcends time, culture, and ego. Awaken your soul to the Divinity of Love!

This workshop includes:

-introduction to the life and work of Rumi

-journaling, visual and verbal, to some of the most poignant verses of his compendium

-aromatherapy of love: creating rose essential oil bath bombs with goat milk, rose petals, rose water, organic coconut oil

-get into a trance with whirling dervish dance the mystical dance of the Sufis

-synthesis ceremony combing short verses, visual art, and dance inspired by The Master

Where: 57 West 57th Street, Chelsea Bizub Penthouse

When: March 15th, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Who: Eirene, teacher/writer/poet and expressive arts consultant/educator with professional training by the International Expressive Arts Association established by Natalie and Carl Rogers.

Are you a NYC public school teacher working in a toxic environment?

Are you burnt out, overwhelmed, stuck and disillusioned by the system?

Do you need a safe space to process your tensions and to release stress?

Do you want to learn strategies to bring calm, balance, mindfulness?

Do you want to engage in embodied creative processes to uncover your authentic self?

YOU NEED A WEEKEND WELLNESS RETREAT TO RESTORE, REVIVE, SO YOU CAN THRIVE!

The intention for this wellness retreat is to come to a deeper understanding of our vocation and the realities of our workplace, to connect with our deeper purpose for pursuing our profession, to uncover ways to cope or to change course, but mostly, to express our thoughts and feelings in an authentic way through the creative process. By the end of the wellness retreat, you will come back to your classroom refreshed, grounded with renewed energy and passion, armed with proven methods to lower your anxiety, and perhaps with new connections and solutions to your problems.

This retreat includes embodied modalities including nature walks, guided meditation/prayer, physical exercise, visual art, journaling, movement, drama role plays, as well as educational trainings. It offers time for sharing in pairs/dyads, small groups and whole group. The holistic training includes educational sessions that help participants understand the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual impact that the workplace has on them. It also provides them with a tool kit of new ways to cope with these daily stressors. The weekend retreat includes a balance of creative expressive arts practices with time for reflection in a calm natural setting. All sessions are confidential.

Your facilitator is a veteran NYC public school teacher with over 25 years. She offers wise advice for how to keep your career and your sanity.

Join us for a transformative journey of self-discovery and creative expression with our Mindfulness through Expressive Arts workshop. Designed for children, teens, and young adults who struggle with self-regulation, ADD/ADHD, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation, this 6-part course offers a multi-modal approach that engages multiple senses and helps young people develop essential life skills.

Through a series of creative tasks, participants will learn to self-regulate by developing self-awareness, introspection, mindfulness, attention, community building, listening, and witnessing. Our experienced facilitators will guide you through a range of expressive arts activities, including drawing, painting, sculpting, and music, that will allow you to tap into your inner creativity and find a sense of peace and calm.

This workshop is great for children and adolescents with hyperactivity and attention challenges, and offers a supportive and nurturing environment where you can explore your emotions and express yourself freely. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the transformative power of mindfulness and expressive arts. Register now and take the first step on your journey of self-discovery.

Register

Curriculum

I. Introduction

• Intention/Mindfulness/Centering Beginning Exercise (5-10 minutes)

II. Creative Exploration

• Journaling/Sketching/Think-Pair-Share (10 minutes)

• Music Movement Group Icebreaker (10 minutes)

• Drama Game (10 minutes)

III. Core Creative Activity

• Body Poster/Graphic Chapter/Mandala Collage/Vision Board (20-25 minutes)

• Active Witnessing: Sharing of Creativity/Synthesis (10 minutes)

IV. Closing

• Ending Mindfulness Ceremony (5 minutes)

• Evaluation/Feedback (2-3 minutes)

6-week class: $300, 1.5 hr per session, virtual or in person

1 on 1 single session: $30 with experienced instructors

Mythic Me! Find your power

Transform yourself into a deity or superhero and unlock your hidden potential in this exciting and immersive workshop - Mythic Me! Finding Your God(dess) Power. If you've ever been drawn to the epic tales of mythological heroes or the thrilling adventures of comic book legends, this is the workshop for you.

Through a range of dynamic and enjoyable exercises that engage your mind, body, and spirit, you will discover the power of myth and learn to harness it within yourself. You will explore your unique strengths and talents, embodying the god(dess) that most resonates with you to unleash your full potential.

Join us on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment, and unleash the god(dess) within you. Be your authentic self and achieve greatness in all areas of your life. Don't miss this opportunity to be amazing and embrace your full potential.

Curriculum

I. Initiation Ceremony: Enter the Mythical Realm with a Ritual Drama (5-10 min)

• Begin the workshop with an immersive and engaging initiation ceremony to set the tone and create a sense of anticipation for what is to come.

II. Reading from the Sacred Texts: Journaling, Sketching, and Think-Pair-Share (10 min)

• Reflect on and engage with mythic stories and texts through various modes of personal expression and exploration.

III. Reenactment/Role Play/Cosplay (10 min)

• Embody the mythic characters and heroes through role-playing, cosplay, and reenactment.

IV. Core Creative Activity (20-25 min)

• Explore personal creativity and potential through various activities, such as:

  • Creating a "My Personal Odyssey" body map

  • Cosplay photo-enactment

  • Personifying a god/dess or hero through tableaux

  • Making an avatar/Bitmoji superhero poster

  • Creating God/dess cards for each superpower

V. Active Witnessing: Sharing of Creativity/Journal Synthesis (10 min)

• Share and reflect on personal creativity and insights through active witnessing and journal synthesis.

VI. Ending Ceremony (5 min)

• Conclude the workshop with a meaningful and reflective ending ceremony.

VII. Evaluation/Feedback (2-3 min)

• Provide feedback on the workshop and evaluate its impact on personal growth and development.

Workshop Includes: goddess/superhero costumes, props, photographic services, and art making media

1 single session $50, 1.5 hours per session, virtual or in person