News: May 2024
Dear Creative C Community,
Welcome to the May Edition of the Creative C Newsletter.
As the vibrant colours of autumn unfold, May invites us to reflect and ready ourselves for the colder months ahead. Let us celebrate the subtle shifts and rich hues that this season brings.
This May, join us in marking World Labyrinth Day, an opportunity to walk, contemplate, and find peace in the spirals of the labyrinth. Jump into our Art and Soul sessions, where creativity meets therapeutic practices, and explore the tactile satisfaction of our Nourishment of Clay workshop and don't miss out on our C-SAW group opportunity. For those looking for professional growth, the ITT Supervision sessions offer insights and support for practitioners at all stages of their careers.
We are also thrilled to feature the exceptional Antony Gormley this month as our Feature Artist.
Happy creating from all of us at Creative C!
World labyrinth Day workshop
Fast approaching - get your tickets for this lovely experience
World Labyrinth Day is on the first Saturday in May each year and is described as a 'rolling wave of peaceful energy across the globe' in its celebration.
Labyrinths are a meditative tool that allow for inner exploration and reflection. You can use the practice of working with labyrinths to notice an openness to any thoughts, sensations or feelings that may arise. You may also start a labyrinth with a specific question and observe any emerging responses from within.
This gathering will introduce you to the labyrinth. You will be guided through a meditation using a finger labyrinth supplied, with options to explore different labyrinth designs and textures. Using a finger labyrinth in meditation is an embodied practice that allows for a slowing down, relaxation and gentle self-reflection.
There is the opportunity to learn how to draw your own classical labyrinth using pencil and paper. There then will be time to follow your own impulse for art making, whether it be continuing your own labyrinth image, or any other art making. During this time music will be on low volume without chit chat inviting time to connect to yourself and to be in creative flow. Suggestions and invitations may be offered if you feel the need for some guidance.
We will gather in a closing circle with time for reflection, sharing and witnessing over a cuppa with light snacks provided.
All art materials are provided. You are welcome to bring your own sketchbook, journal and materials. No prior art experience is required.
After the workshop you can enjoy the beautiful scenic setting of Warrandyte with bushland, the river and plenty of cafes.
Find out more about the workshop here and more about the day here
ABOUT YOUR FACILITATOR
Natasha Hund (she/her) has a BA in Fine Art, and further studies with a Graduate Diploma in Play Specialty and Diploma in Holistic Couselling, and is a registered counsellor. She enjoys bringing her creativity to all her professional roles which has included as a play specialist in a hospital, in early childhood settings and she currently works in community services. With her skills she guides people to use art for self-reflection, recreation and wellbeing. Natasha has professional trainings in the therapeutic application of meditation practices for wellbeing.
Art and Soul Sessions
Upcoming Dates: Dates for May 11th & 25th
Booking is required to guarantee a spot as places are limited.
(to te kanohi, tona kite. to te hinengaro, tona kite. to te wairua, tona kite)
‘The eye, the mind, the soul, each has its own perspective.’
– Māori proverb
Welcome
We welcome Angus who will be taking on Beth’s role as the group facilitator for ‘Art n Soul’. He will continue to offer a welcoming space to share creativity, where we reflect on and explore making and getting into ‘the Zone’.
He brings a deal of artistic knowledge & experience along with an open creative spirit to Creative C.
Born in New Zealand, Angus has been living in Melbourne since 1984. He is a practicing artist who works in a variety of mediums including print making (specifically mono printing) and blue chemical photography (Cyanotypes). He has many years of experience working in the community sector on community projects and extensive education/qualifications and experience in the Arts. This includes an Undergraduate degree with Honours in Painting from RMIT, a Master of Art in Performance Studies from Victoria University and a Diploma of Education in Visual Art from the University of Melbourne.
He loves to explore/experiment with new techniques. He uses art to express himself personally, to relax and have fun.
Further Information
Carving out time and space to connect with your Heart & Soul through art on a regular basis can have profound benefits in all aspects of your life. For those of you who are yet to experience this soulful time we highly recommend giving yourself this time to just be, no pressure, relax, listen to soft music & create whatever is in your Heart & Soul in the moment. There's something about being in the creative studio alongside others which makes the Art & Soul time beautiful. It is a welcoming creative space to explore and share creativity in a variety of mediums. Learning about art is optional, the main purpose of the group is to make a space to explore, reflect and get in ‘the Zone’.
Explore different mediums such as watercolour, pastels, acrylics, clay, ink, collage, natural fibres and other craft materials. Session includes 2 hours of creative zone time listening to music without chit chat and an hour for self reflection, witnessing & group connection at the end with a cuppa.
Amazing for creative expression & connection, no experience necessary. A supportive group environment.
The Art and Soul Creative Sessions welcomes new facilitators, Angus and Tania. Both are Artist with a desire to facilitate creative expression. They brings a great deal of artistic knowledge & experience along with a gentle, creative and deeply respectful presence to Creative C. Meet your new facilitators Tania and Angus.
When: Fortnight session on Saturdays at 9.30am-12.30pm
Upcoming Dates: May 11th & 25th
Investment: $35 cash, per session
Where: The Creative Continuum, Upstairs 2/2 Colin Ave, Warrandyte
www.creativec.com.au/workshops
Min: 5 participants
Max: 12 participants
The intention of offering fortnightly sessions is so that if your heart desires you have the opportunity to cultivate and commit to a regular practise with a group of like minded souls.
Please note: You don’t need to commit to every fortnight to be able to attend a session you can just come along if and when it suits you.
Booking is required to guarantee a spot as places are limited
For further info & bookings
Contact Angus: angus@creativec.com.au, 0434 158 117
Nourishment of Clay
The Felt Sense of Contact and Connection
This workshop will guide you through an exploration of clay and the felt sense (Peter Levin). This process aims to develop the felt sense of touch through the hands and to connect to deeper layers of you and your body. You will be led through a non-verbal mindful process, that will enable you to connect with the earthen, forgiving and yielding clay. You will be supported to find what touch, text, pressure, movement or holding feels nourishing and right for you at any given moment to slowly allow a 3D object to emerge. Reflection of the process will follow to integrate your experience.
To find out more about Tania your facilitator Here
When: Saturday 11th May
Saturday 24th August
Time: 2-4pm, 2hours
Investment: $150 +GST
Where: The Creative Continuum
To make a booking: Please register your interest via email info@creativec.com.au with subject title Nourishment of Clay
All materials provided. No prior experience required. Beverages and afternoon tea available.
C-SAW Group
Expression of Interest to participate in a C- SAW Group
C-SAW emerged out of a need to collaborate and vision with other women. Bridget, the creator, initiated the group based on 4 guiding principles which organically became known by its acronym ‘C-SAW’
C- Collaboration / Creative
S- Support
A- Accountability
W- Witnessing
C-SAW (see-saw) also suggests the deep exploratory and often hilariously funny play ground where participants can enjoy freely creating and expressing held in the safety of the group.
The group meets once a month to collaborate using creative methods to find solutions to personal & professional challenges.
Via creative methods and processes one engages in the sacredness of allowing your own experience to guide you. The group aims to support participants to trust their own experience and develop their inner listener. In witnessing, we hold and allow the other’s own journey to be as it is.
‘It has been so wonderful to witness each member creatively discover their deepest truth and then to live this out in their lives in a genuine and ongoing way. We witness each other and support each other during this process.’ - Group participant
If you have a group of associates, friends, colleagues, or connections and would like a refreshing way of connecting, perhaps you may like to C-SAW. If you feel called to share this wonderful way of gathering connect with us at info@creativec.com.au
In Person Art Therapy Peer Supervision Opportunity
Next in person supervision May 9th 2024 at 5pm.
$80+GST
For professional art therapist there is a calendar of dates for 2024 offering online and in person Art therapy peer supervision.
Please register your interest by emailing me at tania@tanivrgona.com.au Please nominate which group you would like to attend. Eg. In person peer Sup May 9th Registrations close one week prior to the date of each group.
Program details here
In Person Art Therapy Peer Supervision Opportunity
As art therapists, it is important to honour our creative and artist selves. Our creativity is a valuable component of our work that we offer clients but may not make time to engage in for ourselves. This in person art based peer supervision gathering will cater for your creative needs as well as provide an opportunity to engage in reflective practice.
Where: In person @ The Creative Continuum, Upstairs 2/2 Colin Ave, Warrandyte, Victoria
When: May 9th Thursday @ 5pm
Time: 5pm - 7pm
Cost: $80 + GST
Min: 4 people
These 2hour sessions will contribute to 1hour of supervision credits.
Please let your peers know about this offering. All materials provided and beverages available.
Feature: Emergence Magazine
Antony Gormley is a celebrated British sculptor who’s all about exploring how the human body relates to the space around it. His journey into art kicked off after he studied archaeology, anthropology, and art history, then took a deep dive into the culture and spirituality of India. While there, he got into Vipassana meditation, which turned out to be a game-changer for his approach to art, pushing him to think about how quiet reflection could shape creativity. I love that perspective and in our May Blog, we’ll be thinking about quiet reflection as it relates to Theta Brain Waves, so look out for that one.
Back in the day, Gormley started off by creating life-sized casts using plaster on his mates, inspired by the everyday scenes he'd seen in India of people sleeping in the open. These first works were pretty straightforward but packed with meaning, leading him to use everyday materials like bread and old clothes to make points about basic human needs and protection.
As he moved forward, influenced by the likes of Joseph Beuys who saw art as a way to shake up society, Gormley began using his own body as the mould for his sculptures. This process was quite something, involving him being wrapped up tight and still in plaster and cling film. His works from this period really started to ask deeper questions about what it means to be human.
By the 1990s, Gormley was making these incredible iron casts of his body, turning the human form into massive, thought-provoking sculptures that challenge viewers to think about their own place in the world. His famous works like 'Critical Mass II' and the iconic 'Angel of the North' are all about this, making us ponder big questions about community and identity.
These days, Gormley’s work is still evolving, using cutting-edge tech to push the boundaries of traditional sculpture. He’s played around with digital scans to capture dynamic poses and moved into more abstract areas, like his ‘Blockworks’ series where he turns body shapes into architectural forms.
His sculptures aren’t just stuck in galleries either; they’re out there in public spaces, becoming part of everyday life and encouraging people to engage with art in a personal way. From beachfronts to busy city streets, Gormley’s works invite us to stop, look, and maybe see the world a little differently.
Gormley is a massive figure in the art world, winning awards like the Turner Prize and even a knighthood, but he has never forgotten the power of his daily practice, where he continues to draw daily, considering it as crucial to his practice as the sculptures themselves. So, whether it’s a sketch or a giant steel figure, Gormley’s all about exploring what it means to be human in today’s world. As we all are, I guess.
To lean more about this fabulous artist click here
A Glimpse Into Our Upcoming Blog
Milad Fakurian
Theta Waves: A possible Key to Unlocking Your Creativity
I think we can all agree, creativity is a boundless journey, an exploration into the depths of imagination and innovation. It's where we thrive and dream. Where we shine a light to guide us through the maze of our thoughts, leading to moments of brilliance and invention. But where does this spark come from? Taking a shower?
Coming soon on the Creative C blog!
Thanks for reading :)
