Hello Creative Friend,

This morning, I (Kathleen) am thinking about collaborations and connections through the expressive arts. As I consider the ways that expressive arts has impacted my life, it is not only the profound benefits of engaging in the work itself. It is also the deep and abiding connections I have made with others, the inspired creative collaborations that have come about, and a greater intelligence that seems to be at work.  When I consider this more deeply, I realize that I feel supported, in my life, by a global network of people who  trust in the power of the creative imagination to hold all that navigate - from deep grief to transcendent hope.  I am in awe of this community of support, and realize how profoundly it sustains me through such heartbreaking times in the world. From the life long friends that I met in my expressive arts training, to the global community of IEATA, to the incredible partnership and EAFI with Tamara and our team, I am held. I do what I can, I do my part, and I don't have to do it all. I witness similar experiences with our students, as they form lasting connections and dream creative collaborations into reality. 

We meet, in this work, at a deep level, an intimate level, connecting heart to heart, soul to soul. We have a common language. Together we are creating a network of possibility,  a ripple effect of change. And this community thrives on diversity. It is not about us being the same as one another; it is about connecting at a deeper level that embraces both our difference and our similarity. And we know how essential this is in the world. 

In their book, Active Hope, the late Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone discuss the concept of 'distributed intelligence'. They say: "No one part has to have the whole answer. Rather, the intelligence of the whole emerges through the actions and interactions of its parts.”  As happens with a group of jazz musicians improvising together "A number of separate individuals, all making their own decisions, act together as a whole."

I want to share two images with you. The first, is from around 2007 - a community collaborative piece created at Sarasota downtown Arts Day, when EAFI was first formed with our four original partners: Tamara and I, and Victoria Dominechello-Anderson and Elizabeth Bornstein. Hundreds of people stopped by our table and added their marks. Many of you have seen it before. Isn't it beautiful? It's titled

 Creating Unity by Embracing Diversity - in the Flower of Life We are all Connected.

The second is one I painted recently as part of a series in my  personal practice. 

It says:

Imagination streams with kindness,

Holding our grief and our love.

Attuning our hearts to nature,

The web of connection holds us all.

I feel the web of support in each of these images, and its presence opens my heart.

I sense the intelligence of the whole.  Thank you for witnessing. I hope you feel it too.

I invite you to reflect on these questions: 

• What does my expressive arts community  provide in my life? 
• How does it support me?
•  How can I give/receive more or get a little more deeply engaged? 
• What collaborations might I form? 
• What does the 'intelligence of the whole' evoke for you?

Consider making art about it (in any modality) and share it in our FB group if you like. 

A great example of a fairly recent creative collaboration is ours with the wonderful 

Dr. Eliana Gil. You can watch the video about this, and read more on the registration page for  Sand Soul and Metaphor : An Intermodal Expressive Arts Therapy Journey.  We originally offered this integrative training  in person in the spring, and today we are happy to announce the revised date for the new online version - Saturday Nov. 15!  

Powerful creative possibilities emerge from integrating Sand Therapy with Intermodal Expressive Arts Therapy. The three of us are delighted to join together and offer you the synergy of our combined experiential work! 

More creative opportunities coming right up:

This Tuesday (August 19th), we have our next Online Open Studio. Bring a creative project and join us online!

Our next Expressive Arts Discovery is Wednesday, August 27th from 1-2:30 pm ET. This is a guided expressive arts workshop for self-discovery; helping you connect with your intuition through guided meditation, artmaking, writing and more.

On the 29th of August we have our next Mindful Art Play Live session! These are monthly live sessions for all Mindful Art Play members. Click the button below for more info.

To see a schedule of all upcoming events, courses and workshops visit our calendar of events here.

Therapy Services

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 Teeter Knapp

MA, NCC, LMHC, REACE®

Kathleen Horne

MA, LMHC(S), REACE®, REAT®

www.expressiveartsflorida.com