Dear Creative Friends,

In 1996 I (Kathleen) 'dove in' to intermodal expressive arts without even really knowing what it was. Seeing a tiny ad in a magazine was the starting point that awakened something deep within me, and somehow a path miraculously cleared so that I could step on to this path.  A few weeks later I found myself in Point Reyes, California, gathering with others who had also heard this call. By the time I arrived in California, I knew we would be engaging in a variety of arts modalities - movement, visual art, music, drama - in service of wellbeing, healing, and transformation. I knew we would learn from some great teachers, and I hoped that I would come away with something that I could bring to my practice as a therapist and to my life as a human.

 Collaged journal cover from 

1996 Expressive Arts Training California Institute of Integral Studies

Fast forward to 2011, and the founding course of the brand new Expressive Arts Florida Certificate Training Program which was a partnership between Tamara Knapp, Elizabeth Bornstein, Victoria Domenichello-Anderson, and myself. Our new studio space was set up - an inviting circle, big paper taped to the walls, and array of colorful art materials, a basket of scarves, and shelves full of musical instruments. Can you picture it? I remember how excited and nervous I felt as we got ready to welcome the twelve people who had registered to take their first step into their own training.

Scenes from Dive In to Expressive Arts

Fast forward to 2024, now 28 years after my own first dive, and 13 years since we first taught this course, as Tamara and I prepare our online space, and mail out packets to welcome a new group of students. I could write for days about how expressive arts has transformed my work and my life, and I could introduce you to the almost 100 graduates and students  who are each taking their own unique version of this work into their lives and into the world. Each one is a gift to the world.

When I arrived in California in 1996, I had no idea, really, of what I was getting into. Now, at this point, expressive arts permeates almost every aspect of my life, and, honestly, it is still a little challenging to 'explain' it. 

Diving in to Expressive Arts, Hollyhock, B.C. 2018

What is this thing we call intermodal expressive arts? And why is it important? A few years ago, we came up with the term 'creative wisdom' - the  inner wisdom that we access through following the thread of our creativity.  It is a deep way of knowing that we discover by listening to our bodies, metaphor, the natural world, and the arts.  It transcends our thinking mind. This is the wisdom we need to meet our inner selves and the outer world, the way of knowing that may have been trained out of us, minimized, or even eradicated by the dominant modern culture. It is active engagement of the imagination as a force for change. 

If you are here, reading this, you have likely taken your first step on this path. Or maybe you haven't yet, but you are ready to. If you want to dive in head first, our upcoming course: Dive In to Expressive Arts might be for you. If you want to take just the next step, there are plenty of options, including some complimentary ones, that you can read about below. 

Nature's Whisper 2023

I do encourage you, though, to not turn away from what is calling you. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I had not paid attention to the tears and the longing that the little magazine ad awakened in me all those years ago. And, at that time, I could not have imagined the life that I have created for myself by answering that call and gathering with others.  As much despair as I feel for the state of our world, the truth is that I rarely lose hope. There are many paths emerging that lead us to a new way, to what Joanna Macy calls 'The Great Turning' and this work is just one of them. 

With immense gratitude,

Kathleen, Tamara, and the Expressive Arts Florida Team

We still have a few spots available in our EAFI 110 Dive Into Expressive Arts course! This course is an excellent starting point for your expressive arts journey. It is a core course for our certificate stduents, and we are also offering it as a stand alone workshop for anyone interested in learning more about expressive arts but are not sure you are ready for the whole program.

What are you working on? Come to our private FB group to be witnessed and share.  If you are not a member, just answer the qualifying questions and agree to the group rules, and we will welcome you.

There are two new in-person workshops coming up, and one of them is an introduction to Playback Theater!

While we don't have any live events this week, we invite you to take a look at our self-study courses. We have quite a few options for keeping up with your expressive arts practice!

We also have a few new workshops coming up! Scroll down to take a look.

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!

Introduction to Mandala: Universal Symbol of Transformation

Learn the history of mandalas and how to create your own mandalas for healing, personal growth & self-discovery in the online self-study course! 

No art or expressive arts experience is necessary!

Interested in several self-study courses? Our self-study bundle includes the following 4 courses at a discounted rate! 

 Save 20% by purchasing all 4. 

NEW!! 

We have 2 brand new workshops coming up! 

We hope you'll join us!

Playback Theater Workshop: Immerse Your Story

Thursday, April 11, 2024

5:00 - 8:00pm edt

In Person

Sarasota, FL

Learn the benefits of Playback Theater in this 3 hour workshop led by Olga Sanachina, accredited trainer of Playback Theater!

In this workshop, you will be introduced to Playback Theater as a tool of social, psychological, and theatrical work. You'll also learn by participating in 1-2 playback theater forms that can be utilized in a professional setting.

Soul-Tending: A SoulCollage® Afternoon Gathering

Friday, May 17, 2024

2:00-5:00pm edt

In Person

Sarasota, FL

Immerse yourself in an oasis of images and discover your intuition and insight! Join us for a grace-filled afternoon of card-making and card-reading in a small community of kindred spirits. Find your own creative calm as your energy magically shifts away from the chaos of your thinking brain, into alignment with the clarity of your Soul's Essence.

Bring something you're already working on or start something new! We begin with a guided meditation, and then the time is yours for whatever creative work you choose. We come back together for the last half hour for witnessing and sharing. 

Allow yourself to be guided through an expressive arts process in this 1.5 hour live online workshop! Register at the link below.

Join us for in person open studio! Bring something you are working on or start something new! In open studio, we gather together in community and create whatever we feel called to create.

Looking to start your expressive arts training? 

 Our Certificate Training Program in Intermodal Expressive Arts is IEATA (International Expressive Arts Therapy) compliant and provides you with the 200 training hours necessary to pursue professional registration in expressive arts. It is a hybrid model and admissions are on a rolling basis.

Our next start date is April 2, 2024

*If you are interested in applying for our program, please fill out the "Intent to Apply" form below.

CREATIVE WISDOM: Introductory Online Training in Expressive Arts 

This is an 8-week introductory training into the field of expressive arts and the pre-requisite for our Certificate Training Program. 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. Each lesson includes both informational and experiential process.