Awakenings Workshops 
Join us at our next workshop
At Awakenings we believe healing is an ongoing process of restoration, and everyone’s healing journey is different. Healing through art is a powerful adjunct to other interventions on a survivor’s personal journey of healing. The healing power of artmaking can be amplified when we take the time to build and integrate into a creative community. The most valuable and effective programming allows our survivors to connect with other people through the communal practice of the healing arts, in our Ravenswood gallery space.
We make art together at our workshops and open studio hours. We’d love to see you there.
Our workshops are open to all survivors, allies, and advocates.
All skill levels are welcome.
April
In this workshop, Clay Persona, learn to sculpt a face inspired by the loved ones that have helped you through your survivor journey through the healing act of working with clay.
Facilitated by Gillian Marwood, queer sculptor, jewelry designer, business owner, and stop motion animator. Their work focuses on sex work, trauma, and queerness which they bring to light through their stop motion films and sculptures. Their Sculptures have been featured in Woman Made Gallery, Locus Gallery, Elgin fringe festival, and The Robin.
Sunday April 16th, 2:00-5:00pm | In Person
May
In this workshop, Collective Creations: Healing through Performance, participants will be exploring survivorship and healing through everyday movement and group storytelling. No prior performance experience necessary!
Facilitated by Leah Huskey. Leah is an actor, director, and theatrical intimacy designer who believes performance can be a powerful healing tool for survivors of sexual violence. As a founding ensemble member of Connective Theatre Company, Leah directed Me Too Monologues in collaboration with Awakenings in 2019, and returned to direct a revival for Awakenings’ A Dozen Creations event in 2022. She is excited to be leading her first workshop with Awakenings!
Sunday May 7th, 2:00-5:00pm | In Person
Save the Date for Summer and Fall Workshops…
Thursday, June 15, 5:00pm | In Person
Wednesday, July 26, 5:00pm | In Person
Saturday, August 5, 2:00pm | In Person
Open Studio Hours
Anyone who is interested in creating art and who believes in our vision of a world where survivors thrive is welcome! (You do not need to be an Artist by profession or have taken art classes.)
Come in with a project you’ve already started or come in and try any of the art supplies on our shelves. We will also have a few creative ‘starters’ out as options.
The focus of our Open Studios is giving our community unstructured, unfacilitated time to be together.
March Hours
Friday, March 10th, 12:00-4:00pm
Friday, March 24th, 12:00-4:00pm
April Hours
Friday, April 14th, 12:00-4:00pm
Friday, April 28th, 12:00-4:00pm
May Hours
Friday, May 12th, 12:00-4:00pm
Friday, May 26th, 12:00-4:00pm
Past Workshops
Collage Reflections facilitated by Jackie Valdez
March 2023
This workshop explored how the practice of visual reflection through collage can be an outlet to process the everyday. Participants were encouraged to bring materials found throughout their day to use in their visual reflection in addition to supplies provided by Awakenings.
Writing Together facilitated by Jeri Frederickson
February 2023
In this workshop participants were invited to write short stories and poems through prompts in response to survivor artwork on display in Awakenings’ gallery.
Collage Reflections facilitated by Jackie Valdez
March 2023
This workshop explored how the practice of visual reflection through collage can be an outlet to process the everyday. Participants were encouraged to bring materials found throughout their day to use in their visual reflection in addition to supplies provided by Awakenings.
Writing Together facilitated by Jeri Frederickson
February 2023
In this workshop participants were invited to write short stories and poems through prompts in response to survivor artwork on display in Awakenings’ gallery.
