1967B Morrill Street, Sarasota, FL  34236 
(941) 366-9595

*in the Towles Court Art Colony*
www.expressiveartsflorida.com
[email protected]

Creative Partners
Kathleen Horne, Tamara Teeter Knapp,
Victoria Domenichello-Anderson,
Elizabeth Bornstein

GALLERY HOURS
Wed. 12-4, Thurs. & Friday 12-6, Sat. 12-5
through April 30

Expressive Arts Florida is founded on a firm belief in the positive power of every person's creativity. We are committed to the practice, education, advocacy, and expansion of the Expressive Arts in our community and beyond. We offer opportunities for vital creative expression to diverse people of all ages and life circumstances, fostering wellbeing, community building, and positive social and global change.

"Mandala" is a Sanskrit word meaning "Sacred Circle" Mandalas are found throughout nature and across cultural and spiritual traditions.

  Community Mandala Exhibit Opening Reception
March 19, 2010



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NWmandala
Nancy Wormwood

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Patrice Kennedy

MCmandala
Muff Calderon

JKYmandala
Jane Keil Yoder

N&Jmandalas
Jo Mooy; Nancy Wormwood

MDmandala
Melanie DuToit

M&Cmandala
Muff Calderon, Cynthia Bydlinski
with collaborative mandala


Featured Mandala

 "A Colorful Masterpiece" (It's a Real Corker!)

Artists:
Assisted Living Residents at Westminster Shores, Bradenton
Painted Corks with "chatchkas" on styrofoam.
Facilitated by Ginny Reynolds,
Expressive Arts Therapist/Facilitator
"It is an honor and privilege to work with the 
wonderful assisted living residents of Westminster Shores.  A special thank you to Dagny, Edie, George, Lynn, and Elizabeth for their creative participation, wisdom, and delightful sense of humor toward Life."
With gratitude, Ginny



 Images from the 3-21
Touch Drawing Retreat
with Deborah Koff-Chapin


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We are now carrying Deborah Koff-Chapin's  Soul Cards, DVD's, and books at Expressive Arts Florida.



An Evolving Collaborative Mandala....come
see the exhibit and put your mark on it!


  
Lisa Frechette


Jo Mooy


Judy Lyon

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Bambi Gromko Furtado

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still in process....


Expressive Arts Florida invites you to explore the power of personal creative expression. We offer a variety of experiences to guide and inspire you, no matter what your prior "art" experience is. Discover your unique creative pathways to inner wisdom. Authentic creative expression fosters wellness, connection, community and social change.

Come visit our working studio, take a workshop or class, see our inspirational gallery of community programs, or schedule us to create a specialized program at your location or ours. Expressive arts integrates visual art, creative writing, dance, poetry, movement, music, drama.

Happy Spring from Expressive Arts Florida!

We have lots to share this month!  We encourage you to take a few minutes to browse through the photos, reviews of recent activities, upcoming offerings, and community links.
 
The Touch Drawing Retreat with Deborah Koff-Chapin was a highlight this past month, with 58 participants!  Deborah's beautiful process, and her skill and grace as a facilitator, was truly inspirational. So many of you came from all over Florida, as well as Massachusetts and Colorado, to participate in this day-long retreat. We thank the Out-of-Door Academy for providing the beautiful space and being helpful and caring every step of the way, and Truffle Catering for the nutritious, delicious lunch and beverage service.
The following evening, Deborah was the guest facilitator at our monthly Expressive Arts Networking event, with another full house. We hope that we gave her such a warm reception that she will be back next year, maybe for a weekend workshop! We thank each of you who took part in this event!

Please visit www.touchdrawing.com for a wealth of knowledge, and consider attending the annual Touch Drawing Gathering on Whidbey Island, Washington.  View and join the Expressive Arts Florida online TD Community Group It was a such a pleasure working with Deborah and her associate, Chris.  We are deeply grateful for this opportunity.

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COMMUNITY MANDALA EXHIBIT:
SACRED CIRCLES IN ART AND HEALING
is really inspiring and beautiful. 
16 artists are participating in this, our second annual Mandala Exhibit. They are:
Elizabeth Bornstein, Muff Calderon, Cynthia Bydlinski, Victoria Domenichello-Anderson, Sandra Dryden, Melanie DuToit, Bambi Furtado Gromko, Kathleen Horne, Patrice Kennedy, Tamara Teeter Knapp, Judy Lyon, Jo Mooy, Ginny Reynolds/Westminster Shores, Linda Wenmark, Nancy Wormwood, Jane Keil Yoder.
...see the photos in the sidebar...   
This exhibit continues through April 9.

                                                     
April will be filled with activity as well, and we invite you to consider joining us for any of our Touch Drawing workshops, a Mandala workshop, Expressive Arts Community Networking, and more. Our Online Mentoring and Support for Expressive Arts Facilitators is open for new members, and we are creating an online Mandala forum as well. During April, we are working with the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center to provide community experiences related to the upcoming Tibetan Monks Residency, Performance, and Sand Mandala creation at the Van Wezel. On April 16, we open an exhibit at Expressive Arts Florida: Mandala, Tibetan Art and Culture in the Schools.

We now have a video of our recent Touch Drawing exhibit.
view the video
Thank you to all the contributing artists!

Most importantly of all, we are delighted to see the growth and flowering of a vital Expressive Arts Community here! We are honored to help hold the space and provide a center for the beautiful mandala that is all of you!



Exciting announcement:

Expressive Arts Florida is in the planning stages of our new Expressive Arts Training Institute. It will be taught as a series of intensive weekends for those interested in seeking a Certificate in Intermodal Expressive Arts, beginning early 2011. Stay tuned as details become available!!





UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday April 7 
MULTI-MODAL ART NIGHT
(formerly "Art in Motion")
6:30-8:30 p.m. $10
A direct outgrowth of our recent Expressive Arts in Motion Exhibit, this is an opportunity to explore your art work multi-modally in an accepting, supportive atmosphere. Bring a piece of writing or visual art, whether a finished painting or a piece from your visual journal. We, with the group,will assist in exploring it and bringing to life through movement, enactment, poetry, etc. You may participate to whatever degree you are comfortable. The multi-modal process leads to a new relationship with, and understanding of, your art. Call or email to reserve your space.

Sunday April 11 
DEVELOPING YOUR TOUCH DRAWINGS

(12-2:30 pm) $25
Bring your finished Touch Drawings and a canvas or two. The Expressive Arts Florida team will teach you how to mount your TD's and develop them with acrylic paint, pastel, collage, and more. Create finished art works from your Touch Drawings. Contact us for details about what to bring.

Friday April 16 
ART AS A HEALING PRACTICE
9-11:30 a.m.; $35 This the final sessions until October. Call or email by the 15th to reserve your spot.

Friday April 16
EXHIBIT OPENING: Mandala, Tibetan Art and Culture in the Schools
5-10 pm;  in conjunction with the Towles Court Art Walk.
5-6 pm: Poetry reading by Dragonfly Cafe
6-10 pm: Poetry readings by Glennis Redmond and Neil Schleifer
Free and open to the public. Refreshments. Artwork created by Sarasota County school students, under the direction of teachers and teaching artists. All artwork will be related to Tibetan culture. Reception and exhibit in collaboration with Van Wezel Center for the Performing Arts.

Wednesday April 21 
TOUCH DRAWING
6:30-8:30 pm; Join Elizabeth and Victoria at Expressive Arts Florida.
$35 includes supplies. Images that arise from a deep inner place can be powerful expressions of our authentic creative voice. Touch Drawing offers participants a simple, profound creative experience. Imagery is created by the movement of hands and fingers on a tissue paper surface. Suitable for any level of experience, including beginners.  Our facilitators have learned Touch Drawing from Deborah Koff-Chapin, who created it. www.touchdrawing.com  $35 includes supplies; $25 if you bring your own.  3rd Wed. evening of each month. 6:30 to 8:30 pm Call or email to reserve your space.


Sunday April 25 
TOUCH DRAWING and FABRIC: an Exciting Combination
Join Kathleen for an open studio; learn how to mount your touch drawings on fabric, and paint, sew, or quilt them. This will be a wide open exploration; so bring your ideas, your curiosity, your willingness to explore. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; come anytime and stay as long as you like. Bring your (dry) touch drawings, some unbleached muslin or other fabric, your paints, sewing supplies, fabric or paper scraps, matte medium, and more. Cooperatively priced at $15-$40;  pay what you can within this range. Email or call for more info. Please reserve your space by 2 days ahead.

Monday April 26 
MANDALA 1 WORKSHOP
9:30 am-1 pm; $40
Participants will create a personal Mandala and learn some of its applications for healing, centering, and artistic exploration. Open to any interested adults. LMHC's, LCSW's & LMFT's may earn CEU's.  $40 includes basic supplies ($10 CEU fee) Call or email for more info and to reserve your space.  Facilitated by Kathleen.

Wednesday April 28 
EXPRESSIVE ARTS COMMUNITY NETWORKING
6:30-8:30 pm; $10  For those facilitating expressive arts or in training to do so. This month, in honor of the Tibetan monks and mandala theme, we will explore making mini sand mandalas with a healing intention. Call or email to reserve your space.


EVENTS AT VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Sunday April 18

CONSECRATION CEREMONY AND SAND MANDALA
Van Wezel Grand Foyer  2-6 pm.

Monday the 19th through Thursday the 22nd:
The monks will work on the Mandala from 12-8 pm.   Visitors may view the mandala-in-progress and talk to the monks.

Friday April 23
THE MYSTICAL ARTS OF TIBET

8 p.m.  Van Wezel Main Stage
Drepung Loseling Monastery  and Richard Gere Productions. The monks  will be robed in magnificent costumes and playing Tibetan instruments. Endorsed by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, to promote world peace, this inspiring ensemble is part of a tradition that dates back 2,500 years. The captivating performance for all ages combines sacred chanting, ancient rhythms and authentic temple dances.
.Info and tickets at Van Wezel

Sunday April 18 through Friday April 23
COLLABORATIVE FLOWER OF LIFE
Expressive Arts  Florida will be setting up a collaborative Flower of Life Mandala on Sunday April 18 at the Van Wezel, and visitors will work on it for the week. We will also have some of our Mandalas on exhibit at the Van Wezel during this week.Click here for more info about Flower of Life

Wednesday April 21 1-3 pm
WORKSHOP AT VAN WEZEL
with Expressive Arts Florida and Judy Levine
Take a photographic journey and travel through Tibet's cities and monasteries to explore the art, culture, and traditions of Tibet. You will gain insight into Tibetan politics and learn how Buddhist practice influences daily life.Talk to and watch the monks as they create a large sand mandala in the Grand Foyer of the Van Wezel. Create your own mandala and explore using colored sand in a hands-on workshop.
$35 includes workshop attendance and ticket to Friday performance. Info and tickets at Van Wezel: click on "education" and scroll to "professional development. 

There may be more events during this week that are collaborations between Van Wezel and Expressive Arts Florida; we will send out further updates as they are scheduled.





ONLINE GROUPS

MENTORING AND SUPPORT GROUP FOR EXPRESSIVE ARTS FACILITATORS
is accepting new members. Facilitated by Kathleen, this is a small group (max 10) for those who are in the beginning stages of an expressive arts practice, or who are launching a new area of expressive arts work. Some of the many topics covered so far include:facilitation skills, setting up a practice, sharing and witnessing, taking the next step, personal art practice, designing a workshop, hands-on expressive arts ideas, presenting and explaining our work.  Participants receive professional and peer guidance and support. Easy-to-use private, confidential blog format. $50 per month; 1 month commitment required.

MANDALA AS PERSONAL PRACTICE
*Beginning May 1  (NEW!)   An online forum
for exploring the mandala, sharing images, writings, and experiences. Kathleen will facilitate by providing information, resources, teachings and images, and will offer feedback and suggestions to participants. Discussion and sharing will be encouraged between participants. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in exploring the Mandala as a personal art practice, learning more, sharing their art and insights, and staying connected with others, without geographical barriers. Call or email for info. Easy-to-use, confidential blog format.
$25 per month (1 month commitment required; renewable on the 1st of each month).


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a few examples from Kathleen's 2009 Daily Mandala Journal Project.

PARTNERSHIPS & COMMUNITY NEWS
 
"HEAR THE CHILDREN
": This powerful art work was created in 2007 by the children, parents and staff of the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program of the Child Protection Center. The creation of the piece was facilitated by Victoria Domenichello-Anderson & Kathleen Horne, and was exhibited for over a year at Expressive Arts Florida. On April 2, it was installed in its  permanent home in the new Child Advocacy Center 720 S. Orange Ave., Sarasota. We hope it educates and inspires many, as that is its intention.  The piece contains images, words, and messages from those who have been affected by abuse. All monies related to the creation of the art work, as well as the framing and installation costs were donated by the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club Florida Chapter XVIII. Our gratitude goes to the Blue Knights, Graci McGillicuddy, Hal Hedley, Greg Stovall, George Anderson, and the children and families of S.A.T.P., whose courage, resilience and hope paves a path of healing for many.

    
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
  Maya Angelou

*Let our stories of pain and triumph be told through the arts*.

*
Sand Mandalas at the Beach with Muff Calderon & Cynthia Bydlinski.
You're invited to a joyful, relaxing and rejuvenating Saturday morning creating  SAND MANDALAS using found objects on the beach.
First Saturdays, April 3rd, May 1, June 5
North Lido Beach, Sarasota, FL
(Beach access west of St. Armand's Circle, off John Ringling Boulevard)
Create a healing intention for yourself, another, your community, the world. 
Presented by:  Muff Calderon and Cynthia Bydlinski
Art & Healing Certificate Students at Ringling College
Your donation will benefit ShelterBox USA (headquarters located in Lakewood Ranch), a disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide.


*Kathleen had a wonderful opportunity in February to attend a "Creative Care Retreat", a project of Creative Clay in St. Pete. This was truly a gift, and one which has led to new connections and ideas. Creative Clay is an amazing not-for-profit, offering an array of services, including Art Link and the Creative Care Program
.
At this event, Kathleen met, among many great people,  Susan Taylor Lennon, Chair, Dept. of Speech, Theatre & Dance at University of Tampa. Susan has created a series of performance pieces, and her most recent is  Dancing Toward Home: A Moving Memoir:  a storytelling and dance performance that addresses her relationship with her mother during the last two years of her life.  It is Susan's hope that this work about care-giving, Alzheimer's, and love will eventually reach a much wider audience and help people to embrace their own stories and also feel less alone in their processes of dealing with these issues.
Susan can be contacted at [email protected]
Kathleen, Tamara, and Sandra Dryden had the opportunity to see hr performance last weekend. What a privilege to witness the exquisite sensitivity and power of her work.

Photo of Susan performing.


"All sorrows can be borne if you put them into a story or tell a story about them"  Isak Dinesen



With Gratitude
Victoria, Elizabeth, Tamara, Kathleen