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 studio space.
We make art together at our workshops and open studio hours. We’d love to see you there.
Our workshops are open and free to anyone impacted by sexual violence
including survivors, loved ones, caregivers, allies, etc.
All skill levels are welcome.
October
Participants are invited to gather natural materials such as flowers, sticks, leaves, plant stems, and seeds, or create these nature motifs from paper and other materials for their flora collage. The intention of this workshop is to observe how the cycles of nature reflect in our lived experiences as it relates to survivorship and express that through collage. Participants will be given writing prompts, work time, and are encouraged to contribute to group discussions during the virtual workshop.
Facilitated by Jackie Valdez, a visual artist and staff member at Awakenings. Found and natural materials are essential to her creative processes where she focuses on repetitive art-making in order to meditate on familial memory and connect with her Mexican heritage.
Monday, October 2nd, 2:00-5:00pm CST | Virtual
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.
September Hours
Friday, September 8th, 12:00-4:00pm
Friday, September 22th, 12:00-4:00pm
October Hours
Friday, October 13th, 12:00-4:00pm
Friday, October 27th, 12:00-4:00pm
November Hours
Friday, November 10th, 12:00-4:00pm
NO OPEN STUDIO Friday, November 24th (Holiday)
Past Workshops
The Moment Before facilitated by Taylor Dalton
September 2023
This workshop, The Moment Before, aimed to explore the preparatory work that one can explore on an individual level when considering how we wish to share our experiences as storytellers and survivors.
Woven Abstractions facilitated by Bryana Bibbs
July 2023
This workshop invited participants to weave on cardboard looms with traditional and non-traditional materials. Participants were asked to create watercolor paintings, drawings, or writings to shred, cut, or rip apart to include in their weavings.
Collective Creations facilitated by Leah Huskey
May 2023
In this workshop, participants explored survivorship and healing through everyday movement and group storytelling.
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.
Braiding a Selfie facilitated by Raeleen Kao
August 2023
This workshop asked the question “How do we represent ourselves without drawing a face?” and invited participants to create a nontraditional self-portrait through the act of braiding. Participants were encouraged to bring in past artwork, clothing, fibers, paper, plant materials or small trinkets personal to them that they wanted to incorporate into their self-portrait braid.
Visual Journaling facilitated by Annalise Castro
June 2023
In this workshop, participants learned how visual journaling can be used as a reflective practice and how to start a visual journal by creating a cover page with collage. This workshop included examples, open work time, and verbal processing. Participants received prompts to explore intention-setting and wellness.
Clay Persona facilitated by Gillian Marwood
April 2023
In this workshop participants learned to sculpt a face inspired by the loved ones that helped them with their survivor journey through the healing act of working with clay.
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.
Braiding a Selfie facilitated by Raeleen Kao
August 2023
This workshop asked the question “How do we represent ourselves without drawing a face?” and invited participants to create a nontraditional self-portrait through the act of braiding. Participants were encouraged to bring in past artwork, clothing, fibers, paper, plant materials or small trinkets personal to them that they wanted to incorporate into their self-portrait braid.
Woven Abstractions facilitated by Bryana Bibbs
July 2023
This workshop invited participants to weave on cardboard looms with traditional and non-traditional materials. Participants were asked to create watercolor paintings, drawings, or writings to shred, cut, or rip apart to include in their weavings.
Visual Journaling facilitated by Annalise Castro
June 2023
In this workshop, participants learned how visual journaling can be used as a reflective practice and how to start a visual journal by creating a cover page with collage. This workshop included examples, open work time, and verbal processing. Participants received prompts to explore intention-setting and wellness.
Clay Persona facilitated by Gillian Marwood
April 2023
In this workshop participants learned to sculpt a face inspired by the loved ones that helped them with their survivor journey through the healing act of working with clay.
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.
