Brush With Grief
Explore grief through brushmaking, storytelling, and grounding in our mixed-age workshop.
Date and time
Location
Arapahoe Room - Main Library - Boulder Public Library
1001 Arapahoe Avenue Boulder, CO 80302Refund Policy
Agenda
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Welcome, Introduction, and Check-Ins
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Eco Art Materials Story: Plants & Animals, and Demonstrate the Brushmaking
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Brush Making Activity
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Cleaning Up & Silent Reflection, Gratitude Mandala With Brushes, and Closing
About this event
Overview of Brush With Grief: A Creative Workshop for Healing
Brush With Grief is a supportive, art-based workshop designed to help individuals process and express their grief in a meaningful, creative way. This three-hour program offers a safe space to connect with your emotions, honor your unique experience, and create a tangible symbol of your journey. Each session combines mindful art-making, personal reflection, and community connection to guide you through the healing process.
What to Expect:
- Guided Brushmaking: Each participant creates a personalized “grief brush” using natural materials, symbolizing their own journey through loss or transition. Materials include wood, fur, string, and decorations, all provided as part of the workshop kit.
- Grounding and Reflection: We start with a grounding exercise to bring everyone into the present moment, promoting a sense of calm and openness for the creative process ahead.
- Art and Storytelling: Participants will have the opportunity to share their creations and stories, connecting with others in a supportive environment. This shared storytelling fosters empathy, understanding, and a sense of community.
- No Experience Needed: Whether you’re new to art or have creative experience, this workshop is open to all. The focus is on personal expression, not artistic skill.
Frequently asked questions
Brush With Grief is a hands-on, creative workshop designed to help individuals process grief through brushmaking, storytelling, and mindful art practices. Each participant creates a personalized brush representing their unique journey, fostering a meaningful connection with their emotions.
This workshop welcomes all ages and backgrounds, whether you’re navigating recent loss or seeking an expressive outlet. It’s a space to explore and process emotions in a supportive environment.
Each session includes guided brushmaking, grounding exercises, and a group storytelling circle. Our sessions emphasize mindfulness, connection, and personal reflection, allowing participants to express their grief creatively.
No artistic experience is required. All materials are provided, and each activity is designed to be accessible to all skill levels, focusing on self-expression rather than artistic technique.
Just yourself and an open mind! All necessary materials—including brushes, fur, string, and decorative elements—are provided. Comfortable clothing is recommended for the art-making process.
The workshop costs $35 per session. We offer a “no one turned away for lack of funds” policy; please reach out if financial assistance is needed.
Absolutely. Each session is unique, with new themes and creative prompts, allowing participants to deepen their experience and connection over multiple sessions.
Yes, participants are encouraged to bring their brushes back to each session. Brushes can evolve over time, adding new elements to reflect ongoing personal growth and healing.
The materials used for brushmaking, including hides and pelts, are sourced responsibly. They come from a combination of donations, gifts from hunters I know, animals I have hunted or processed, and some that I’ve purchased specifically for these workshops.
Organized by
Contemplative Caregiver LLC
Led by Andrew Koch, LPCC, Contemplative Caregiver LLC hosts creative and mindfulness-based workshops to support caregivers, individuals processing grief, and those seeking connection. Through events like Brush With Grief, we offer meaningful spaces for healing, expression, and community building, rooted in compassion and growth.