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Dear This morning, someone asked me
(Kathleen) what was so unique about Expressive Arts? Without thinking I said - "it is intermodal - embracing all of the arts" and "it's global". As I write to you now, I want to really highlight the global perspective. We often hear (or say) 'art is a universal language', and that is true, but what does it mean, in our hearts, our souls, our lives? What does it mean in how we communicate with one another, when we are in different cultures, different political systems? What does it mean when it
is much easier to focus on 'difference' than on 'similarity'? Our annual Expressive Arts in the World is a sacred journey of finding and sharing the core of this remarkable global work,
while learning from one other the uniqueness and originality of our individual forms of the work. We have hosted the first 2 workshops this past week, and already my mind and heart are soaring with the idea of how embracing diversity creates unity. While I may not understand your written or spoken language, I recognize myself in you and you in me. And, I recognize myself in the river, the forest, the seal, the tiger, the mist, the rabbit, and each of them in me. I remember that I am not
separate from you, as I am not separate from the zinnia flower or the ocean. Manju Jain and Aslam Khader (our first presenters) have distilled the essence of 'creative wellness' and are offering it,
through trained ambassadors and guides, throughout the world, especially to under-served populations. Their work is a pathway to share the power of expressive arts in a way that transcends verbal language and cultural difference. Hector Aristizabal (from Colombia) invited us to a Council of All Beings (based on the work of Joanna Macy) that creates a
circle of equal sharing between humans, animals, the elements, and more, allowing us to engage our imaginations to face both our collective trauma and our collective healing. In this circle the core of the earth can speak to the butterfly, and the humans can listen. Thank you so much, Manju, Aslam, and Hector for your vision, wisdom, and generosity! Intermodal arts, at their best, are transformative experiences, not through talking about problems and solutions, but by allowing our imaginations to guide us into in-the-moment interactions that shift our reality and expand our worldview. In community, with others who are open and present, we come face to face with despair and allow hope and healing to emerge. Drawing from this week's workshops, here are some suggestions for you: - Consider the current climate disasters and wars that are impacting us all (human and other than human) right now. What arises in you? What would you like to express to others? Instead of trying to give this words, create a spontaneous image. Invite that image to speak and write down what it says. Share that image and read that writing to at least one other trusted person. Or post it on FB, or another platform you prefer.
- Go outside. Consider the exquisite beauty of the Earth. Focus on something big, like the sky, or something tiny, like an ant. Allow your heart to open wide. What would you like to express? Make an image that spontaneously expresses your love and appreciation. Let that image speak. Share with others.
- Take some time to write, or to move, or to sing, or to drum. Assimilate your experience, notice how you feel. Share with someone, or invite someone else to join you.
- If you are not already a member, join IEATA and become part of a global community!
It is great to be back in circle with you this week, after our time away. Next week's EXA in the World workshops include Fiona Chang from Hong Kong, and Belinda Rego and Chandini Harlalka from Bangalore, India. They have each created brand new training workshops for you this year! Perhaps you would like to join us on this global journey - whether it's a single workshop or the whole series. We would love to have you! |
What's happening this week?
In this workshop with Fiona Chang, PhD, REAT, you will learn how expressive arts are multifaceted mirrors reflecting your inner happenings. Through artistic & creative practice your self-awareness and and wellness are enhanced. In the creative healing process, you have permission to explore, play, focus, listen,
understand, and accept. Click here to register!
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In this workshop featuring Belinda Rego and Chandini Harlalka, REAT, from India, you will learn a tribal art form, a perspective on ancient tribal traditions and aesthetics of India, and understand how our ancestors connected to nature through art and vice versa. Click here to register!
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Expressive Arts in the World!
Sessions have started but there are still plenty more to attend!
These workshops are open to everyone! Whether you are a student in our Certificate Training Program, an expressive arts facilitator, or a therapist, these training workshops will enrich and expand your knowledge and practice. All workshops are held via Zoom and in the Eastern time zone. You may register for one, several, or all of these. To register,
click on the workshop you would like to register for and it will take you to the info/registration page. If you would like to register for all, at a discount, click here.
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- Emerging Voices in the Mirrors of Arts - Fiona Chang (Hong Kong), August 15, 6-8:30 pm edt
- Honouring Nature and Transitions in Life - Tribal art in
India - Belinda Rego and Chandini Harlalka, August 19, 10 am - 12:30 pm edt
- Expressive Arts Worldwide - Harambee Arts in Kenya and Nepal - Gloria Simoneaux, Lillian Obonyo, Sarala Tamang, August 21, 12-2;30 pm edt
- Planting seeds of color in Guatemala - Mayari Hernandez, Paulina Buonafina, Pili
Garin, Evelyn Ammon, August 22, 6-8:30 pm edt
- First Aid of the Soul: Culturally-sensitive & Trauma-informed Care Amidst Ongoing War - Nathalie Roberto-Timtchenko (Ukraine), August 30, 6-8:30 pm edt
- Being the Bridge: Expressive Arts without Borders - Markus G. Scott-Alexander (Canada & global) September 13, 6-8:30 pm
edt
- Story + Making = ? Opportunities in rural
Canada - Fay Wilkinson (rural Ontario, Canada)
September 22, 1-3:30 pm edt
- Embodied
Self-Awareness - Aisha Radwan (Egypt,) September 26, 1-3:30 pm edt
- Bereginya: Russian traditional dolls in expressive arts - Varvara Sidorova (Russia) September 29, 1-3:30 pm edt
Upcoming classes & workshops
Online Open Studio is back! Come join us online for some art-making! We will begin with a guided meditation and move into open, self-directed creative time. Just bring your curiosity and take some time to work on your own project. Witnessing and sharing for the last half hour. A beautifully supportive creative
community and new people always welcome! Donations in any amount are never required, and are always gratefully accepted. Click here to register!
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August 24, 2023 6:00 - 9:00 pm EDT SoulCollage® is a fun and easy way to express yourself, care for yourself, and discover and affirm your inner Wisdom. Using images, intuition, and imagination, you will create collaged cards that represent the many faceted and unique aspects of who you are. This workshop is open to those with experience in SoulCollage® and also those who would like to be introduced
to it. No art experience is necessary. Diane will prepare a SoulCollage® kit for this workshop and mail it directly to you. Be sure to sign up early!
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SAVE the DATE! Registration for the following workshops will open soon! In this poetry circle, we will engage poetic medicine as a means of encouraging our hearts to open more fully in our daily lives. Together, we will create a poetic
sanctuary within the community. This integrated poetic medicine process encourages our innate ways of knowing such as our imagination, intuition, and an embodied mode of participation. We will read, listen, and be invited to respond to the poetry of the earth. The poetic invitations aim to encourage remembrance, deep listening, self-awareness, compassion, and gratitude. Cultivating these qualities benefits us and the world around us as they encourage generative acts of reciprocity. As our hearts
open, we expand our recognition of being woven within the human and other than human world. This can offer healing and a sense of belonging even as it kindles the fires of love. We begin to hear and respond to voices of earth, and the heart songs that call us.
This workshop will engage spiritual directors in
an expressive arts process to deepen their understanding of their role as spiritual director. Through guided meditation, artmaking, movement, and sound exploration, we will explore and play with the ways the expressive arts bring us into a deepening relationship with Mystery. Renee is a graduate of EAFI and a Spiritual Director. Learn more about her in our July Alumni Spotlight! |
On demand, start anytime courses! Are you looking to explore expressive arts on your own and at your own pace? These Self Study Courses contain detailed, yet approachable instructions, videos, and meditations facilitated by Kathleen & Tamara. The imagery and guidance from this work can assist you, whether dipping your toes into expressive arts or seeking a deeper connection. *All courses come with lifetime access so you can refer back to them at any time! *No previous art experience is necessary!
10 expressive arts lessons that can be done at your own pace. These easy to follow lessons are instructed by Kathleen and Tamara and can be done in any order at any time.
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A 6 week self-study course. Each lesson includes a guided meditation and an invitation to art making and writing.
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This is a recording of a live intention setting workshop that you can follow along with and replay as many times as you want! Includes a downloadable intention setting guide and journal prompts.
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This is a recording of a live Expressive Arts Discovery workshop that you can replay as many times as you want! Includes a guided meditation, invitation to art making & writing, a pdf guide and much more.
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This self study course includes a lecture and powerpoint on mandalas by Kathleen Horne, followed by a guide to creating your own personal mandala. Includes a step by step demo, guided meditation, journal prompts and additional mandala resources.
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This is an 8-week introductory training into the field of expressive arts. You will learn a basic overview of expressive arts, what it is, theories, approaches, applications etc and how to apply this work into your personal and professional life.
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In this course you will learn how to adapt the focus of expressive arts processes from intrapersonal to interpersonal, group and community. You will learn how both individual and collaborative expressive arts processes are utilized and how to design and facilitate collaborative art projects.
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In this course you will learn how expressive arts effects change in all aspects of human experience: body, mind and spirit. You will explore ways in which the
different arts modalities bring growth and change, and how they work together as a holistic model. You will also engage with an exciting and potent array of individual and group processes, focusing on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual experience.
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In this course you will immerse yourself into Expressive Arts process, including visual art, sound, music, movement, drama, writing, and guided meditation. You will learn how to set an intention and follow the thread of your own creative process and imagery through a series of guided experiences. This course is a great introduction to the power of intermodal expressive arts!
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Tamara is accepting new clients in Florida seeking therapy services and support using expressive arts to heal and grow. Using her years of creative practice and a compassionate approach, she is able to help clients access their inner strengths and create the change they most want in their lives. To inquire about services, you can go HERE, call/text 941-444-9585 or email tknappcounseling@gmail.com ~Tamara and Kathleen Tamara Teeter Knapp MA, NCC, MHC Intern, REACE® Kathleen Horne MA, LMHC(S), REACE®, REAT® www.expressiveartsflorida.com |
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