Slow Art, Somatic Practice, and Creative Rest

Being in conversation with art, process, and ourselves.

The theme for this therapeutic arts program is Mapping the Sensory.

We will get curious about the sensory experience of art making. Through creative meanderings with solo and collective art processes we will work on slowing down and paying attention to what arises in the process of making art.

Practices will include repetitive mark-making, bilateral drawing, slow stitch, watercolour mucking, crumpling, folding… unfolding. We’ll indulge in curious play — with colour, texture, light/shadow, sound. We’ll create collaborations with our art materials… ongoing conversations, maps, stories. We’ll get curious about an expansive understanding (and practice) of map-making …documenting our bumblings and creative intersections with the world, with ourselves, and with art. Folded, and layered, and stitched together.

This is an exploration of art making that is grounded in somatic, sensory, mindful, and creative care practice. Something that we can build on, and repeat — to take care of ourselves and our communities.

Through a series of art prompts, we will explore using various materials in different ways — to see what they can do, how they behave and respond to (and with) each other. We’ll also practice noticing how it feels to be in conversation WITH our materials, versus trying to control them.

This program balances collective and solo, indoor and outdoor studio practices and meanderings.

What You’ll Gain

• Experience in sensory arts and material explorations (felt, stone, wood, paper, twig, pigment, expressive mark making, brush making, slow stitch, bookmaking, movement).
• Develop and deepen creative self care practice through materials and making.
• Explore the connection between expressive and therapeutic arts practices and mental and physical health. Conversations and learning are supported by contemporary neuroscientific research.
• Revisit, redefine and re-imagine what self-care means…what (and who) it includes.

Who This Program is For

• For folks that are curious about exploring art-making that’s less about product, and more about process (and sensory/somatic experience)
• For folks that maybe don’t think of themselves as artists (or creative) at all, but want to learn about ways they can play with art materials (in a non-judgemental environment)
• For folks that maybe already integrate art-making in their work (and/or life) and are looking for some new ideas, and inspirations (artists/makers, art therapists, therapeutic arts practitioners, teachers, counsellors)
• For folks that might be experiencing creative blocks (in life/work)
• For folks that want to build more creativity into their day-to-day

Material Fee

Additional supply costs ($35 CAD) for this program are included in the package pricing.

Daily Schedule

A detailed schedule will be emailed to you about 30 days prior to your program. Click here to view a sample program schedule.