Mindfulness and Art: Seeing Beyond the First Glance

We often move quickly past what’s in front of us. In this session, we’ll practice slowing down and taking the time to really see. Guided prompts will help you notice details in SAM’s galleries that you might otherwise miss and discover how lingering with a work of art can open new layers of meaning.

In this four-part series, explore how mindfulness can transform the way you look at and engage with contemporary art. Each session begins with a brief introduction in the classroom, followed by a guided visit to the galleries, and ends with time for reflection and conversation. Through simple mindfulness techniques, artist and mindfulness teacher Maria Schaedler-Luera will help you notice more, feel more present, and appreciate art without the pressure of finding a “right” interpretation. Whether you join for one session or all four, you’ll leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and more connected to both the artwork and yourself.

No prior art or meditation experience is needed, just bring curiosity and an open mind.

About Maria Schaedler-Luera

Maria Schaedler-Luera is a Brazilian-born artist, educator, speaker, and consultant whose work bridges arts, mindfulness, and social healing. She is the Co-Founder of Atomica Arts, a certified meditation teacher with Chopra Global, and an Ayurvedic Health Counselor. The author of Be the Protagonist: How Ayurveda, Meditation, and Theatre Can Transform Your Life, Maria helps people shift from being a spectator to the author of their own story through embodied awareness and creative practice.

Her interdisciplinary work spans keynote speaking, curriculum design, trauma-informed facilitation, and arts-and-health initiatives across the U.S. and internationally. Through her work, Maria invites participants into experiential practices that cultivate presence, deepen emotional resilience, and connect creativity with personal wellbeing.