Art & Nature for Positive Psychology

Nature is a prescription for wellness. When we connect to the seasons, the natural cycles of the earth, observe natural objects with intention, research shows it shows fires endorphins, lowers blood pressure, and brings the body systems to homeostatic equilibrium. Eco-therapy or even nature walking has been prescribed for the alleviation of many long-term ailments by medical doctors. In this workshop, we will get green, forage, feel and create with nature’s bounty. Every session is different depending on the seasons: one can make an eco-sculpture, another an herbal infusion and essential oils, in yet another we can recycle paper and leaves to make baskets or eco-print.

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Curriculum

I. Mindful Observation and Sensing Our Internal Response to Nature:

• Nature walk/walking meditation/nature-inspired meditation/contemplation (5-10 minutes)

• Observation and foraging of natural elements followed by sketching and journaling (15 minutes)

II. Core Creative Activity: (20-25 minutes)

• Cyanotype print making from foraged natural materials

• Creating herbal infusions, tinctures, and remedies with a tea ceremony

• Eco-prints or gelli printing with natural specimens

• Dyeing textiles with natural pigments

• Concocting natural cosmetics with herbs

• Using wax to encapsulate specimens and natural materials in a mixed media piece

III. Community Sharing/Active Witnessing of Our Creative Products (10 minutes)

IV. Ending Mindfulness Ceremony (5 minutes)

V. Evaluation/Feedback (2-3 minutes)

Workshop Includes:

• All materials, including herbs, instruments, containers, art materials, handouts, and worksheets

1-on-1 single session: $30 with experienced instructors