FULL : Illuminated Inner Light: Art Outside the Lines

In this workshop participants will explore their inner world and experience how artistic expression connects us to the Spirit. This workshop provides an opportunity for participants to experience art making as a central rather than peripheral dimension of Spirituality. Making art can put us in touch with our soul. When we engage our intuition, imagination, and spontaneity we honor our most authentic self.

The objectives of the workshop are for participants to:
1. liberate their creativity without the pressure of self-judgment, and
2. understand that creativity is sacred, life-enhancing, and brings Spiritual insight.
During the workshop we will:
* Playfully un-cover our inner artist
* Bring awareness to our creative process, learning to release judgment 
about ourselves and our artistic products.
* Experience artistic expression as a way to encounter the Spirit.
* Witness to the transformation of our lives through Spiritual-Creative encounters
* Discover ways to create images, to reveal our personal, social and/or political journeys.
* Allow our imagination and our intuition to guide us to deeper places of knowing.
* Draw inspiration and courage from the wonder of the natural world that surrounds us.

This workshop is open to anyone desiring to liberate, enhance or discover their creativity, learn about themselves and enhance their well-being and sense of joy. No previous artistic experience necessary.

Each day will include:
1. Each day will begin with a “jumping off” exercise designed to open the doors to the imagination and stimulate creativity, art-making, group discussions to process your experiences and silent worship. We will begin our workshop by creating a safe and sacred space for participants to dive deep into the material on both a personal and spiritual level.

Over the course of the week there will be time to try different media including collage, sculpture, drawing and painting. The workshop leader will provide some jumping off points for projects, mentor participants to help them figure out how todo what they want to do, and provide instruction on the use of the art materials provided. Participants may choose to try a variety of projects or to concentrate on one or two projects in more depth. Possible art projects include: self-portraits, visual responses to the participant’s personal journeys, the environment, or social/political issues - the possibilities are unlimited!

Participants are encouraged to bring any items that they may find they wish to incorporate and experiment with. These include:
* Photographs of loved ones, political figures or people who have inspired you.
* Items for collage and sculpture such as beads, art papers, fabrics, trim, broken pottery or other personal/treasured/found objects etc.
* A personal journal or favorite book from your past which you would like to transform into a sculptural work of art
* Paints, brushes, canvas, or other art supplies.
* Poems, stories, or other sources of inspiration

About the leader :
This is the first workshop I have proposed for the Gathering. I have 25 years experience teaching communication at the college level. In addition, I have conducted workshops in art for women at La Casa de las Madres women’s shelter in San Francisco and a series of art workshops for bereaved families at the Hospice of the Chesapeake in Annapolis, MD. My work as a Soul-Collage® Facilitator has given me experience in leading participants in workshops to greater spiritual awareness through the artistic process. In addition, my own spiritual journey is closely linked to my artistic voice and the artwork that I have produced exhibited, and sold.