Heather Cole - Workshops

Art Therapy Workshops

To me, art is therapy. I believe that creative expression should be as natural a part of each person's day as spoken expression is. For many, this natural flow has been slowed, narrowed or even stopped. Through each of these art therapy workshops my intention is, therefore, to reconnect each participant in a free, fun and joyous manner to his or her natural artistic expression. Join me and sample a variety of media, such as stone, clay, paint, oil, charcoal, paper maquette, and others, each of which has the potential to touch that artist inside you. Along with these media I encourage and model the integration of sound, song, movement, dance, yoga, meditation, and visualization into the art process - basically, anything and everything that helps an individual be present and open, while allowing that which is authentic, clear and beautiful to flow through and express itself. I will weave all the skills that I have gathered as a artist, yoga instructor, shamanic practitioner and teacher as I encourage and reflect.

There is no judgement. No competition. The focus in every workshop is, primarily, on process, rather than product. By the end, most participants have an idea of which medium, along with its tools of opening, best support individual self expression. My 2008 art therapy workshops are intimately related to the season in which each takes place. Allowing the endless inspiration and guidance that nature generously offers to be our main teacher.

2008 Workshops

In this class you will learn each step of the clay sculpting process while having fun and allowing our creative expression to flow. Enjoy the feel of clay as the creative process unfolds:

designing through sketching
building armatures
learning correct clay application
sculpting technique
preparing the drying process
removing armature and restoring to original form
finishing with textures and other tools
drying and firing
repairing, painting, glazing or remaining natural
setting up home studios

Students must purchase mallet and two chisels (point and flat ) Find tools at www.trowandholden.com.

Open to the adventure of stone sculpture during this six-week experience:

Week 1. We will design through the medium closest to stone sculpting, sketching.
Week 2. We will discuss how to set up a small work-space in your home. Artists will also choose a stone and take it home to meditate on its possibilities.
Week 3. We will begin sculpting. Thereafter, you may want to take your stone home and practice, returning the next week for questions and responses to progress.
Weeks 4 & 5. We will continue to learn the skills and intricacies related to stone sculpting.
Week 6. We will investigate other stone choices, power tools, stone symposiums etc.

May your initial conversations with stone continue.

March, as the saying goes, often comes in like a lamb and out like a lion. So let's begin this workshop focusing on our own inner processes by creating alone in silence. Then, by the second half of the workshop we'll come together until we are creating collectively as one. Later still we will return, with new sensitivity and awareness to solo experience. Other tools further enhance this experience: meditation nature-walk, yoga, as well as sound and song. Together, we'll experience unity through art: First, unity with oneself, then others, and eventually cycling back to oneself. Calling upon our inner warriors, we'll honor and open to spring, yet bring winter's lessons along with us.

To emphasize the sweetness of spring, I invite you to bring a partner to this workshop. Come experience the transformation a relationship can have when art mediates communication. We'll leave our rational brain and critical minds at home. We'll enjoy the ways in which gesture and sound enrich and enliven both our relationships and our art. Frequent breaks from the creative process will allow us to laugh, move, share, and enjoy. Come with friend or lover, neighbor or family member. All will leave this workshop with a greater understanding of the ways in which our social relationships can enhance and enrich our artistic expression - and vice versa.

Try some full-hearted passionate expression! Throughout this unique experience participants will be supported by a safe environment that beckons each to create, to "let it all hang out!" This is a time to let your passion be your guide. No holding back! This workshop invites a full surrender into that which your soul wishes to express. We'll begin by exploring a variety media, then investigating which feelings are best interpreted though each particular medium. This will allow us to investigate that which most needs expressed and then to satiate that need through a complementary medium. With plenty of space, freedom, and a constructive art focus, we'll let our feelings loose.

To go inside like the bear into its cave; to know what needs to be known; to feel what needs to be felt: This is where we will draw the inspiration for the creative process to unfold in this workshop. With the intention to fully release that which needs to be released, and make room for something greater we will destroy our initial creations. Then we will have room for a new expression! Allow this death-and-birth art experience to unfold naturally, while I help hold the space for its rightful, fluid evolution. Silence and celebration. Reflection and expression. All have their place within the artist's process.

Fee for each workshop, $300, includes all art supplies.
Pre-registration required, plus a $50-deposit (due two weeks prior to workshop)
Minimum of 4 people, maximum of 7
Location:1256 Tremont, Port Townsend, WA
Times: Friday 6-8pm, Saturday 10am-1pm & 3-6pm, Sunday 10am-12pm & 1-3pm

Questions or registration email info@heathercole.com or call 206-356-6067.