Second Time Around Virtually - And We're Ready to Share!
We have officially embraced the Virtual Space during these trying times. From August 13-October 29, our participants journeyed through our 2nd Virtual 12-Week Creative Expression program, with many new offerings that then culminated with our first ever "Virtual Showcase" which if you missed, you can take a look at here and see some photos from below!
Watercolors by M
Our summer kicked off with a Cybersecurity workshop led by the Cypurr Collective, helping us all prepare for the security and privacy concerns many of us and our participants share when operating online so often. Using the PSA cat tree and with an introduction into various risk assessment, harm reduction, and specific strategies folks can take to increase their cybersecurity, participants entered the 2nd workshop cycle feeling more confident about how to protect their identities online.
We encourage you to check out their work! The Cypurr Collective is a group of folks that organize cybersecurity events, looking to spread knowledge and talk about privacy rights! They put on pretty regular workshops, talks, and socials around cybersecurity, looking to share this info with as many people as they can. Established April 2016, check out cypurr.nyc for more info on their work, and some of their presentation materials.
Left: Impressions of an American Kestrel by Dabblers Corner Arts; Right: Foil Art by Evie's True Sentiments
In addition to the many creative expression techniques from drawing and painting to sustainable crafts and mandalas, our participants had the opportunity to explore many new modalities, thanks to our wonderful teaching artists! From Transformative Writing and Voice Creatures to Digital Art and Entrepreneurship and Marketing, we all learned from each other's experiences and continued to explore the practices practically on our time as well throughout the months. If you haven't done so already, learn more about our amazing teaching artists and volunteers here!
Above: Paper Mache Candle Holders and Aromatherapy Eye Pillows by Dabbler Corner Arts;
Below: Aromatherapy Shower Steamers from the workshop with Dabbler Corner Arts
Our first ever Virtual Showcase gave us all the opportunity to once again connect with our friends, family, and well-wishers to celebrate the beautiful work we have all been doing during this stressful time. Along with the amazing designs made by participants throughout the cycle, which are available for sale on our Etsy shop now, we also learned that one of our participants launched a natural skincare shop and has been making custom face masks as well through their new company, Suds N Roses!
Above: Organic soaps by Suds N Roses;
Below: Mandalas by Various Participants, from the workshop by Art by April
We are now organizing some one-off workshops from Transformative Art to more technical online skills, until our next 12-Week Curriculum launches in January. If you are a supporter of survivors, please consider donating to the program to help us meet immediate expenses and keep the workshops going. Thanks to previous donors, basic arts care packages are in the works, and the hope is with more donations, we can make our program accessible to survivors in more marginalized communities. To learn more about our fundraising goals, you can find and share the link at: https://bit.ly/SurvivorsThriveWithArt.
Thank you so much for all your support! We are all wishing you a safe and wonderful holiday season.
With love,
here there and EVERYwhere