Dear Creative Friends,

This week on earth there was a total solar eclipse and in multiple locations across the globe millions of people stopped to witness the moon move between Earth and Sun and block its light. During this time, many people experienced a shift and new things were revealed to them about their choices, the path they are on, and how they might make changes. It became a time to assess or re-evaluate priorities, actions, and intentions. 

Also this week we spent some time with volunteers who work with patients at the end of life and offered processes to help them get in touch with what they treasure, what they value most. Not only at the end of life, but in any life transition, we are called to consider what is most important to us so that we can act in service to that. We might consider how some things are hidden from us, including things we treasure. Sometimes if we take a moment to look, we can see, feel, and open to what matters most.  The moments, people, places, and experiences we treasure are what offer us meaning and a sense of purpose. These are the treasures of life. But what if we can’t see them? What if we feel like they are hidden from us due to being too busy, or because of hardships or illness, or because we are just trying to get through each day? 

We can take a little time to pause and reflect. Using expressive arts, we can open to the question – what do I treasure? Just opening to the question can assist can open up a pathway toward what matters most. We may just move, let our hands make marks on the page, choose an image or object to speak to us, listen to a song and find a little sparkle of something to lead us. The key is to pause and listen, to be present and ask the question, to trust that the answer will come and then just notice what happens, get curious and welcome the response. 

Try this mindful art practice to pause in your day and be with the question "What do I treasure?" You just need paper, a little gem, button, or coin and a marker. Place the gem on the paper and slowly push it around with the marker* to create a trail or map. Take your time. As you mindfully make marks, consider what you treasure, what feels most important to you and be with that in your imagination. Spend some time coloring in spaces and writing words to express what treasure you have found. It can take just a few minutes, but spending time with what matters most to you can help inform actions that bring you closer to it. You may want to move or "travel" the pathway, or allow your body to move in response to the marks, taking in the treasures through the felt sense in your body. Then spend some time writing about it and share it with someone. 

*This process was inspired by the teachings of our friend and colleague Fay Wilkinson. 

We hope you will take some time this week to pause and reflect on what matters most to you and use some art materials to express that.  We are grateful to you for being part of our community and for sharing your treasures with the world. 

With gratitude,

Tamara, Kathleen, and the Expressive Arts Florida Team

In case you missed it, our EAFI 230 Business & Profession of Expressive Arts course is coming up and we have decided to open it up to anyone who has received expressive arts training who is looking to launch their business. You will gain the skills and knowledge to utilize your training in Expressive Arts to become a successful professional in the field. We go over everything from creating your vision and mission statements, determining your target audience and understanding professional guidelines. 

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. 

Bring your art materials and discover what is waiting to emerge through your own Creative Wellspring! This is a 1.5 hour guided workshop featuring a guided meditation, artmaking, writing, witnessing & sharing.

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!

Expressive Arts Intention Setting Self-study Course

A beginning is an opening for surprises. Beginnings are new horizons that want to be seen. What is the new horizon in you that wants to be seen? John O’Donohue

Discover, create, craft, and work with an intention that will act as your personal inner compass!

Includes the following:

• Video recording of a live Intention-Setting workshop
• Guided meditation in both audio and written format
• An opportunity to share your intention, if you choose, and in the FB group.
• A downloadable Intention Setting Guide, which you can use anytime you are beginning something new. It includes instructions, inspiring and helpful information, blessings, and journal prompts to activate your intention.
• Ideas about how to use your journal to keep your intention alive.

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!! 

Rescheduled time below!

Playback Theater Workshop: Immerse Your Story

Friday, May 31st

2:00-5:00pm

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.

Register and bring a friend for free!

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. 

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.

 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 October 15-18, 2024

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