NEW BEGINNINGS ~ Ushering in the New Year through Art & Writing

“Beginnings are notation for the symphony of the possible in us. They ask us to break the pattern of our lives and reconfigure it afresh—something that can only be done with great courage and great tenderness,
for no territory of life exposes both our power and our vulnerability more brightly than a beginning.”
~ John O’Donohue

We invite you to join us for an afternoon in creative community as we pass through the High Holidays and enter deeper into the autumn season. As we begin this new cycle, we will consider these questions through engaging in a reflective art-making and creative writing process: What threads do you want to pick up from last year and weave into this new year? What are you ready to let go of to make space for new growth? What do you want to cultivate in this year ahead? We will explore these themes of renewal and regeneration through creating mixed media art on circular canvases, incorporating painting, drawing, collage, and creative writing into our finished pieces. Our completed work can serve as a touchstone as we navigate the year ahead. No previous writing or art experience necessary, all are welcome. All art materials will be provided.

Date: Thursday October 17, 2024, 1pm-4pm

Cost: $75

Location: Eastside Jewish Commons (EJC), 2420 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR, 97232

Registration: Please use this link to register for the program directly through EJC: https://events.humanitix.com/new-beginnings-ushering-in-the-new-year-through-art-and-writing

About the Presenter:
Lisa Kagan is a writer, artist, creative facilitator, and personal historian. Her business, Family Heirloom Arts, is dedicated to helping individuals and families celebrate their life stories and significant life milestones through conducting oral history interviews and creating illustrated heirloom books. Lisa is the co-founder of Touchstone Retreats, offering writing and art retreats throughout the Pacific Northwest. Lisa believes in the transformative nature of the creative process to heal, empower, challenge, inform, and awaken the human spirit. Lisa received her BA from Wesleyan University in Connecticut with a focus on writing and fine art. She has completed intensive studies in the arts at Skidmore College, the University of New Mexico, Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and the Maine Photographic Workshops. Lisa has published two books of original poetry and art, Coming Home to Myself (2021) and Emergence (2009).