Happenings

I like to call all of the events, readings, shows, and workshops that I do “happenings.”  I feel this word encompasses the interdisciplinary nature of my work in the world as an artist, healer, teacher, and writer. Please view the “Happenings” drop-down menu for current events, workshops, and continuing education experiences.

This page houses a list of workshops I have offered in the past.

PAST WORKSHOPS OFFERED

Pendulums, Muscle Testing, and More!
The question of this class is, “What is your body telling you?” The answer is, “Just ask!” This fun, hands-on workshop will introduce you to the art of using the body’s inner wisdom. By learning techniques of muscle testing and using pendulums, we will listen to the body’s subtle energy that is constantly giving us feedback. But are we listening? Come with an open mind, comfortable clothing, and a pendulum of some kind (it can be one you purchase or a necklace (metal) with a fairly heavy pendant).

Celebration of the Body Workshop
How often do we honestly, whole-heartedly, and authentically celebrate our bodies? I don’t think we do this enough, or sadly, even much at all.This workshop is meant to help you find ways to celebrate your physical being on a daily basis–honoring your curves (or lack of curves), soothing your scars, healing old wounds, and giving thanks to this “skin that you’re in.” Using guided meditation, breathwork, journal writing, and art creation, we will uncover ways to celebrate our bodies in profound and meaningful ways. Please bring a journal and any images you’re called to use for art making.

My Life in Words and Images: A Visual Journal Workshop
Since the beginning of the year, I have been diligently creating visual journal pages in a beautiful datebook. Every week, I complete two-three entries and feel that I am learning about the state of my life, addressing my current issues, and exploring my emotional currents with depth, color, and creativity. Visual journaling allows you to write, doodle, sketch, paint, and collage in order to process your thoughts and feelings in an easy, non-threatening way. This process also allows you to tap into the verbal, visual, and kinesthetic aspects of your creativity. A variety of beautiful journals/datebooks will be provided for your choosing, as well as many images and art materials with which to play. Feel free to bring any images you are called to work with in your art-making.

Transforming Loss: Altering Photographs
No matter what type of loss(es) we have experienced — the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a companion animal, an aspect of ourselves, a home, etc. — we carry with us images in our minds and feelings in our bodies of those losses. We remember who we once were before loss changed our lives and who we have become as a result of these loss experiences. Using mixed media collage techniques, we will transform our photographs in order to make meaning out of the losses we’ve experienced in our lives. We will adorn our photographs with meaningful symbols and colors as a way to reckon with our losses, to celebrate those who have meant a great deal to us, and to find peace and redemption in our strength and resiliency.

I will be sharing my personal journey with this powerful healing art throughout the workshop. During my father’s illness and after his death in 2008, I created a series of altered photographs as part of my grief and healing process. Creating altered photographs continues to be a source of healing for me and I look forward to sharing this process with you. You need not have any art experience to participate in this workshop. This is a day of meaningful and creative play, with process as our focus. We will be remembering, transforming, and making lovely artistic messes in a safe and nurturing setting.

“Learning to Let Go” Workshop Series
Once a week for a month, we will learn the delicate art of letting go. On a daily basis we hold our muscles tightly, often without even noticing. We experience stress our muscles contract, and we don’t notice our shoulders are up to our ears. Muscle holding or guarding is one of the major contributors of aches and pains we experience in our bodies. That kind of holding, accompanied by short, shallow breathing can cause us to feel tight and depleted.

Part of the letting go process also involves releasing stress and any thoughts or emotions that contribute to our holding patterns. When we learn to recognize the triggers that contribute to our stress, we are able to adjust our bodies, breathe deeply, and avoid guarding ourselves against impending fear or worry.

In this workshop, we will engage in relaxation exercises, such as progressive muscle relaxation, breathing techniques, guided visualization, and others. In addition to tuning into our own body’s holdings, we will also learn to identify the holdings in each other. I will be participating and learning along with you in this process. Come prepared to relax, play, and let go with an open mind. Please bring: a blanket or yoga mat and a pillow. Wear comfortable clothing for relaxing and moving.

You, Yourself, and You: A Self-Portrait Workshop
In this hands-on art workshop, we will explore the self in three parts: past self, present self, and future self. Using mixed media collage as our medium, we will cut and paste together meaningful images to reveal who we once were, to celebrate who we are now, and to imagine who we might become with some nurturing and encouragement. Feel free to bring meaningful images you’ve collected. Otherwise, all art supplies provided! Light refreshments provided.

Intentional Desires: An Abundance Box Workshop
Join me for an afternoon of envisioning your own abundance. In this hands-on workshop, you will explore your dreams and goals and create an abundance box as a visual representation of what you wish to manifest in your life. This is a time for thinking big, pulling your ingenious ideas out of the cobwebs of your mind, and giving life to your desires!

The purpose of an abundance box is to channel your intentions, and goals, and visions into a symbolic artifact. Inside this box you will place small objects that characterize the things you wish to actualize. Think about what aspect of your life you would like to give a little positive intention. Are there goals and dreams you are ready to make real?

In this workshop you will create your very own abundance box and fill it with objects that represent what you hope to bring to life. We will also explore some principles of Feng Shui, which may enhance or inform the intention and placement of your box. Using a Feng Shui bagua (map) as your guide, you will determine where your box is best placed in your own home.

The Subtle Body
Using all your senses, including intuition, you will learn ways to listen deeply to the energies, tissues, structures, and emotions of the body. The intent of subtle bodywork is not to manipulate or control the bodywork process, but to allow these subtle cues to guide you as the practitioner. With open minds and hearts, you will learn to observe, listen, touch, feel, and intuit subtle body messages from your client. This course is for anyone interested in a process-oriented, client-centered approach to bodywork. Licensed Massage Practitioners Courtney Putnam and Bethanie Sand will guide you through this process of subtle body work.