|
|
Dear Creative Friend, Create an environment where you're free
to express what you are afraid to express. Rick Rubin: The Creative Act: A Way of Being, Penguin Press, 2023 Expanding a little on the concept of 'free and protected space' that I (Kathleen) spoke about in last week's newsletter, today I invite you to consider Rick Rubin's statement. Whether I am creating my daily mandala, teaching a class, supporting a therapy client, or conducting a training, my intention is to create such an environment. Spaces where we can express what we are
afraid to express are healing and transformative spaces, and it is as important to create them for ourselves as for others. These are spaces that are so deeply needed in the world. What does 'an environment where you're free to
express what you are afraid to express" look like, to you? What does it feel like? How do you create it for your students, clients, family? How do you create it for yourself? Consider writing about it, or making an image. Invite your body to explore the idea in movement?.Is there some music playing? Often we don't know what we are afraid to express until we are in a space where it is allowed, or even welcomed. Then it arises, in our bodies and hearts, perhaps in our words, movement, image. And it is received, witnessed, valued, held. And it is not interpreted, analyzed, or dismissed in any way. It is met
with presence and compassion. In my own daily mandala practice, I draw the circles on the journal pages in advance. Each day, as I encounter the circle that is there to receive and hold whatever I am experiencing, I feel a sense of relief, even before I begin filling it spontaneously with colors and marks. And
I experience awe and gratitude, as the image emerges, and gifts me with its wisdom. Making mandalas bring me moments of equanimity and joy amidst these times of unrest and divisiveness. Fragments Held by the Flow of Life - 3/8/25 Daily Mandala When I think about what is on our upcoming schedule at EAFI, I notice how each offering reflects this same principle. Fifteen years ago, we launched our certificate training program with Dive In to Expressive
Arts (EAFI 110). I remember how the four of us (Victoria, Elizabeth, Tamara and I) carefully set up our new space to receive and hold the twelve students who had signed up for this 4 day intensive. Images, emotions, and sounds fill my being as I remember some of what was released and transformed in that container. On April 1, Tamara and I will be teaching EAFI 110, for the 20th+ time as we launch the final round of our training program this year, making space for the growth, change, and
development that EAFI will experience in 2026. This course is an invitation for you to allow what shows to arrive be witnessed, and move through a transformational process within a safe container of intermodal arts practice. In the early 1990"s, I became aware of Eliana Gil's book - The Healing Power of Play, and her work using Play Therapy with
children who had experienced abuse. Eliana's groundbreaking work provided guidance and inspiration for my colleagues and I at the Child Protection Center. Fast forward more years than I care to count, and in 2024 Eliana joined and completed our EAFI training - a full circle moment for me! Eliana, Tamara, and I are offering our first collaborative
training in Sarasota on March 21, embracing and affirming the synergy of Sand, Play, and Expressive Arts therapies. The sand tray is another environment which can invite the expression of what we don't know, don't understand, or perhaps fear. Sand images from a recent workshop with Eliana Gil As Daria Halprin says in The Expressive Body in Life, Art, and Therapy, Jessica Kingsley, 2003 The passion and creativity of the arts allow us to live with our suffering and find release through creative play . Sand Soul and Metaphor, with Eliana, myself, and Tamara is coming up March 21 in Sarasota. Registration officially closes tomorrow, March 10. If there are any spaces left, we will keep registration open a couple more days, but please act soon. We will be bringing a sand tray and art supplies for each of you. See the details, watch our video conversation, and register here. If you want to Dive In to Expressive Arts April 1-4 (online) you can do this intensive as a stand-alone workshop, or your first course in either our Level 1 or Level 2 training. Whether you are seeking a career in expressive arts, or a nourishing and transformative workshop for yourself, this course
might be for you. It is the last start date for the program in time to get all of the core courses this year. If you have questions, feel free to reach out or tune in for our next Live Q&A Session on Monday, March 10th after Expressive Arts Discovery. We also have a
brand new SoulCollage® workshop coming up in April! Learn how to connect with your intuition by creating and consulting with your own collage cards. No previous SoulCollage® experience is necessary. |
We hope you will take time this week for your own arts practice and listen within. Consider how you create safe spaces, how you express what you might fear, and how you create these spaces for others. Maybe you will decide to join us for one of our upcoming offerings. We would love that. If you would you like to share your personal
practice images, you can do that in our private Facebook group . It is a sanctuary for witnessing one another. (If you are a new member, please be sure to answer the questions and agree to the rules. That helps us to hold a safe and welcoming space.) With love and gratitude, Kathleen, Tamara, and the Expressive Arts Florida
team
|
Take a look at our live online & in person events happening this week! |
Carve out some time for self-care this week and join us for Online Open Studio. This event is by donation and you can drop in or stay for the whole time. Click here to sign up!
|
|
|
|
Join us for this Live Q&A session about our Certificate Training Program. April is the last start date to take the program in its current form. Click here to learn more!
|
|
|
|
Carve out some time for self-care this week and join us for In Person Open Studio! This event is by donation. We will have art supplies, tea and light snacks. Drop in or stay for the whole time. Click here to sign up!
|
|
|
|
|
Mark your calendar for
these upcoming classes & workshops! Registration is open for all events unless otherwise noted. To see a schedule of all upcoming events, courses and workshops visit our calendar of events here. If you have questions about an upcoming course or event, please email us at admin@expressiveartsflorida.com.
Thursday, April 17th 7-8:30pm Live Online Expressive Arts Discovery monthly sessions are back! Move through guided meditation, artmaking, writing and witnessing in this 90 minute
workshop. Click here to learn more!
|
|
|
|
Join us for In Person Open Studio and work on a creative project! We have basic art supplies, tea and light snacks. 1031 S. Euclid Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237 Room 9 Click here to sign up!
|
|
|
|
Join Kathleen and our wonderful online creative community to connect and engage, explore, and witness. Click here to learn more!
|
|
Join Eliana Gil, Kathleen, and Tamara for an integrative training in Sarasota that weaves together the threads of Sand, Play and Expressive Arts therapies into a dynamic intermodal journey that will nourish you and enliven your work. Click here to learn more!
|
|
|
|
Join Diane Lampitt live online for this 3 hour SoulCollage® workshop where you'll access your intuition and inner wisdom through the creation of collage cards. No previous SoulCollage® experience necessary! Click here to learn more!
|
|
|
|
The final opportunity to begin and complete the Certificate Training Program in its final form will be starting with this course in April. This course can also be taken as a stand alone course. Click here to learn more!
|
|
|
10 Steps Expressive
Arts Practice
Awaken the power of your own creative wisdom! 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.
Receive 1 lesson each week for 10 weeks! Easy to follow instructions, supplemented with videos, audios and examples. |
All 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! |
Tamara is accepting new expressive arts therapy clients seeking support using to heal and grow. Using her expertise in expressive arts and a compassionate approach, she helps clients access their inner strengths and create the change they need 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, LMHC, REACE® Kathleen Horne MA, LMHC(S), REACE®, REAT® www.expressiveartsflorida.com |
|
|
|
|
