After the Nest: A Creative Workshop for Empty Nesting & Beyond

This creative art workshop is a gathering space for anyone seeking community and creativity around the idea of "empty nesting" through art-making, mindfulness poetry and journaling. If you're an "empty nester", a partner, a friend, a caregiver, a nurturing soul (or all of these) in need of a communal, creative space, this workshop is for you! Together we'll see and hear the inspiring stories of artists who have explored motherhood, identity and change. Through guided exercises, live demos and reflective prompts, let's discover how creative practices can be a tool for navigating our endings, beginnings and the spaces in between.

You don't need to be an artist or poet to participate. Just bring your insight and creativity.

We will explore the processes of artists like Ruth Asawa, Alice Neel, Louise Nevelson and pomes Robin Coste Lewis, Margaret Atwood and others to provide context and encouragement, and to show us how creativity can illuminate renewal at any stage of life. (Bring your favorite art and poems to share!)

We’ll also take a look at practical tips for using journaling, drawing and simple sculptural practices as ongoing tools for self-discovery. A final sharing circle will give participants a chance to reflect together, honoring the ways art can hold us as we change and grow.

Materials List

For Journaling

• A journal or sketchbook
• Loose sheets of paper (copy paper is fine)
• Pens or pencils
• Markers, crayons or colored pencils (optional, for adding color)

For the Sculptual Project

OPTION 1

• One or more 12-inch balloons (at least one blown up and knotted)
• Crochet string or yarn (I'll be using crochet string)
• White glue such as Elmers glue or Mod Podge
• A plastic bowl for the glue
• Water
• Wax paper or newspaper to protect your space
• Scissors

OPTION 2 (if you can’t manage the above)

• 10 or more pipe cleaners in any one or multiple colors
• A circle form like an orange to fit them around

OPTION 3

• Find a vessel such as a vase or empty container
• Journal or write using prompts provided in the session

For the Drawing/Painting Projects (do either or both)

• Drawing paper or watercolor paper
• Pens, markers, paint pens or drawing materials of your choice
• Brushes
• Water container
• Inks, watercolors, acrylics of your choice

Optional/Nice to Have

• Apron or old T-shirt
• Hair dryer
• Extra embellishments (collage materials, ribbons, beads, etc.)
• A comfortable quiet place to work
• Comfortable loose clothing

Email me if you have any questions about materials!

FAQ’s

How do I attend this workshop?

Choose your ticket type. Please check your time zone to make sure you know what time the event happens. All events are held in the Pacific Time Zone (listed as either PDT or PST depending on the time of year).

You will receive an email confirmation with a ZOOM link, meeting id, and passcode. If for some reason you haven’t received the email right away, check your spam folder or contact me.

You can sign in using either the link or the meeting id and passcode.

How do I join on the day of the event?

Look for an Eventbrite email with the ZOOM LINK two days before the event.

Give yourself plenty of time to sign into Zoom.

You can sign in early, but the event will not start until the designated time.

Recording link will be sent within 24 hours of the live event.

Why two ticket types?

Live Event Only only tickets are pay-what-you-can to make them accessible to everyone. Live Event + Lifetime Recording Tickets are priced so that I can cover the cost of hosting the event via Eventbrite and advertise to find participants like you. :) Both ticket types help support this programming.

What if I have trouble joining the event?

While most people are able to join following the steps above, on occasion it is difficult for some. I will do my best to help you, but know that it may be tough for me to respond just before or at the start time.

What is your refund policy?

All refund requests can only be processed before the live event start time.

When will I receive my recording?

If your ticket price included the recording, you will receive a Vimeo link after the workshop ends that you can download. Please allow me at least 24-48 hours to edit and send this link. If your ticket price did not include the recording but you would like one, the video will be available for purchase on my website. Email me and I'll send you the link.

Thanks so much!

Much love,

Courtney

courtneycurates@gmail.com