Recent Workshops and Events
The Book of Awe Series
Workshops led by Kathleen Sweeney, Interdisciplinary Artist
Saturdays, 9am-noon, Aug 17, 31 and Sept 14th
Roxbury, NY
Awe and wonder create expanses of timelessness known to writers, musicians, and artists as ‘the flow state.’
Recent scientific research has demonstrated the healing benefits of nature walks, to reduce stress, and enhance our immune systems. Awe walks increase our capacity for curiosity, creativity, problem-solving and compassion.
Forest bathing, known in Japan as shinru yoku, provides antidotes to ‘eco-anxiety’. When we slow down, look around, notice and breathe, we remember our deeply rooted connection to the trees, bird songs, and the scent of green.
These Saturday morning workshops combine digital detox, guided meditation and open attention flow states with creative explorations of ways to rewild ourselves through seeing and sensing wonder in the natural world.
Sponsored by AMR Artists, Inc. Funded in part by the O’Connor Foundation.
Enchantment and Mixed Media Bookmaking (COMPLETED)
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 9am-noon
A group guided walk and forest foraging expedition for natural materials to create unique, hand-sewn accordion collage books. Birch bark, wildflower pigments, lichens and fungi, will be woven into one-of-a-kind art objects. Rice papers, silk threads, botanical inks, and writing materials provided.
Awe Collections in Photography, Video and Audio (COMPLETED)
Saturday, August 31, 2024, 9am-noon
Guided meditation, digital mindfulness and open awareness techniques, followed by a silent group photographic expedition. Light, shadow, and close-up observation in nature mindfully ‘foraged’ as photos, 10-second video and audio clips. Editing guidance using the phone as artistic tool, along with tips for reclaiming creative time in the era of attention algorithms.
Wonder Walks & Creative Writing
(COMPLETED)
Saturday August 17, 2024, 9am-noon
Guided meditation and writing prompts follow a group experience of ‘wonder walking’ in the woods. Forest bathing and sensory awareness merge with colorful creative writing. Open attentiveness to multi-sensory cues and somatic experiences translate to tactile observation on paper. Writing journals, watercolors, beeswax crayons, pencils and inks provided.
Pre-registration and payment required: $25 per workshop.
Attend one, two or all three workshops. [Maximum of 10 creators per workshop]
Kathleen Sweeney, an interdisciplinary artist, writer and educator, explores the intersections of creativity, mindfulness and environmental stewardship.
An Assistant Professor of Media Studies at The New School/Parsons, her work has been exhibited and published internationally, with funding from the NEA, NYSCA and Ford Foundation.
Her workshops on multimedia storytelling have been offered at universities and schools nationally, including Dia:Beacon, Reel Grrls and Garrison Art Center.
The Book of Awe Project workshop series is offered in partnership with AMR Artists, Inc and funded in part by the O’Connor Foundation.
Past events
Lightwriting Workshop, Light Codes Exhibition, 1053 Gallery
January 28, 2024
Presentation and Workshop: Kathleen Sweeney, Kate Quarfordt and Lindsay Comstock lead a meditative journey and writing workshop on the poetics of light, 1053 Gallery, Fleischmanns, NY, 3-5pm
A special event in celebration of the exhibition, Light Codes: LIGHT WRITING Join Kathleen Sweeney, Kate Quarfordt and Lindsay Comstock for an afternoon of meditative journeying, story-sharing, movement and writing prompts on the poetics of light. No experience necessary. Please bring a journal and pen.
Gallery Talk: Hope and Challenges within the Climate Crisis, 1053 Gallery
November 4, 2023
Special Presentation: Hope and Challenges within the Climate Crisis
Saturday, November 4, 3-5pm
A special climate crisis presentation for Atlas/Watershed, an exhibition by Catskills artist, Christie Scheele. Eight area experts involved in climate change mitigation efforts and biodiversity advocacy weigh in on positive environmental actions to mitigate global warming and help manage climate grief.
Kathleen Sweeney, a multidisciplinary artist, writer, environmentalist and educator will speak about awe in nature and close out the program with a guided meditation.
Wednesday, November 1, 9-10am: 1053 Gallery Owner Mark Birman interviews Christie Scheele and Kathleen Sweeney on WIOX Radio.