Altered Books for Self Care
4 Week IN PERSON Group
Next Group Begins:
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2-5 p.m.
Price reduced: $240 + GST
($60 for each 3 hr session)
*NOTE: If you are interested in this group but these times don’t work for you, send me an email and let me know what does! There may be other options in the future.
Location: Unit 200, 8835 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB (The office of Divine Spine)
Renew Your Soul with Art-making
Join this group for a playful process that stimulates creativity and opens up new ways of seeing!!
With a focus on Self Care, we will explore and practise offering ourselves the love and compassion we need for the life that is ours. The 'canvas' for our art is a previously published book. The processes for altering become metaphors and inspiration for the changes and growing we want and are continually pursuing in our own lives. The process is meditative, thought-provoking and sometimes evocative. The group process provides encouragement and inspiration. No “artistic ability” necessary!
What to expect in these group sessions
Step-by-Step Instructions for the altered book process. Each week will highlight one or two methods for altering your book along with an invitation and theme related to a self-care, self-compassion and nurturing your own personal journey.
Personal Reflection. I invite you to consider where you are in life at present. What are the joys and challenges of this season? In what ways are you seeking to grow? How do you need to care for yourself?
Meditative, Stress-Reducing Art Making. Each session we will develop one or more pages or sections of our book. Our approach will be playful and experimental.
Invitation to Share. During each session there will be room for unstructured sharing and reflection. Then, at the end of each time each person will have opportunity to share their art-making and process from that day. The beauty of the group process is we learn and gain inspiration from each other.
Examples of simple pages done in altered books.
New to therapeutic art-making? Don’t feel like you are very “artistic”?
NOT A PROBLEM!!
As a certified Art Therapist, I, Suzanne Styles, will facilitate the process and each session in a step by step manner that encourages playful exploration, trusting your own knowing and trusting the art process. Expect to be pleasantly surprised by what emerges for you, in your art, in the art of others, and in the group! All supplies will be provided.
“I really enjoy the book format—all art pages are together. I’m less precious about what I make because I won’t be selecting ‘the best ones’ to include.”
Takeaways so far: “Some unexpected moments that caught me…when the art kinda hit me. Time to focus, to learn about myself. And just enjoying making things. Messages to myself that I want to let sink in.”
“Helps me challenge my perfectionism. I love the process of destroying but then building up with creating.
Such a peaceful and encouraging atmosphere.”
“It was fun to see the unexpected connections between the art... processes, words in the book, and my own journey...”
How strongly would you recommend? “I’ve already told a bunch of people. 🙂”
“It's worth the investment of your time + money.”
“Suzanne is gentle and encouraging, making connections and inferences, sensitive to different individuals' needs…”
“It was a comfortable space and non-judgemental, calming, a safe and supportive environment was created.”
—Thanks to participants from past and other groups who gave permission granted to anonymously quote their evaluations!
This Altered Book Group runs for
4 weeks, 3 hours each time
Starts: Sat. Sept. 7, 2024, 2-5 p.m.
$240 + GST for 4 weeks
Location: TBA
Dates: Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, 2024.
Participant Numbers—Min. and Max.: This group will need at least 4-5 participants to go ahead. (Max. 12) If there are not enough participants, we may postpone for a few weeks until it can be filled. (If postponed dates don’t work for you after registering, you can choose to receive a full refund, or apply the payment to another Resilient You Art Therapy service.)
Questions? Feel free to Contact me.