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 and free to anyone impacted by sexual violence
including survivors, loved ones, caregivers, allies, etc.
All skill levels are welcome.
June
In this workshop, participants will learn how visual journaling can be used as a reflective practice and how to start a visual journal by creating a cover page with collage. Visual journaling combines artmaking and writing in order to build relationships with oneself and deepen personal meaning of life experiences. The workshop will include examples, open work time, and verbal processing. Participants will receive prompts to explore intention-setting and wellness.
Facilitated by Annalise Castro, a visual artist working in painting, ceramics, fibers, and mixed media to explore expressive modalities of storytelling. She creates text-based artwork, vessels, and assemblages that explore themes of memory, lived experience, disclosure, gaze, protection, caretaking, holding, and containment. Annalise is passionate about the creative process, mental health and wellness, regulatory art practices, and advocacy. She currently works as an Art and Trauma Therapist in Chicago, IL.
Thursday, June 15th, 5:00-8:00pm | In Person
Thursday, June 29th, 5:00-8:00pm | Virtual
July
This workshop, Woven Abstractions, invites participants to weave on cardboard looms with traditional and non-traditional materials. Participants will also be asked to create watercolor paintings, drawings, or writings to shred, cut, or rip apart to include in their weavings.
Facilitated by Bryana Bibbs (b. 1991), a Chicago-based artist who works at the intersection of textiles, painting, and community-based practices. Bibbs earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Fiber and Material Studies at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is the founder of “The We Were Never Alone Project – A Weaving Workshop for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence” and serves on the Surface Design Association’s Education Committee.
Wednesday, July 26th, 5:00-8:00pm | In Person
Save the Date…
Saturday, August 5, 2:00pm | In Person
Saturday, September 16, 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.
May Hours
Friday, May 12th, 12:00-4:00pm
Friday, May 26th, 12:00-4:00pm
June Hours
Friday, June 9th, 12:00-4:00pm
Friday, June 23th, 12:00-4:00pm
Past Workshops
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.
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.
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.
