A Workshop at Front Porch Gallery

Life has been a bit of a challenge recently so the timing of this workshop, held at my favorite art gallery, could not have been timed any more perfectly.

I accepted this invitation, "Join us at Front Porch Gallery for a transformative exploration into the world of social-emotional arts. This unique program is designed to harness the power of creative expression to enhance emotional well-being and self-awareness...
...This is a free workshop for those who like to create and connect. Come be part of a process centered mixed art experience. You will listen to music, interact with group members, practice mindfulness, create a project and participate in a self-reflective exercise. You don’t have to be an artist. Just bring your authentic self."
For those who know me well, this was so ME.
We were guided by Lisa who was an experienced, caring and patient facilitator. Our firs step, post introductions, was to express two words that summed up our feelings. Mine were hopeful and emotional. Next we were to wander about the art gallery and find a work of art that spoke to us. I chose Return to Sender by Renée Richetts. Besides the fact that is was an exceptional example of so many artistic mediums (bookbinding, quilting, and collage) it had such a positive message stamped upon its cover, Completely Happy in Life. I think we need reminders of all we have to be grateful for. 
We then were guided through a Mindfulness and Meditation period to help us center our thoughts and feelings through mindfulness practices integrated with artistic creation and just quietness. Our art expression came through all agreeing on a theme (JOY) and then playing with art supplies to create an expression of that theme. Oh man, what fun. I really was in my element. Also, I was in the company of some really neat women who were very encouraging.


Janet provided me with the most awed part of the session. When she first introduced herself, she shared that she had vision challenges and could only focus for five seconds at a time. Her word of the day was INSPIRED. She was open about the fact that she had to give up her creative supplies because of her issues with being able to see. Her collage, it turns out, was the most elaborate of them all. When she proclaimed that she hadn't spent this much time being able to focus so well, on something artistic in over seven years, I teared up. She may have attended this workshop to be inspired but she was the one who provided the inspiration to us all.

I am so grateful for Front Porch Gallery and the team that makes magic happy there.

"The ability to be creative and engage in any type of art
is an important aspect in reducing stress and increasing well-being.
It is also one of the most cost effective, non-invasive,
as well as a non-pharmacological technique
in reducing negative mental health symptoms."
- Kimberly Hetherington

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1 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a special place this is - Erin

August 17, 2024 at 5:38 PM

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