Past Classes and Events

PRIVATE CLASSES, ORGANIZATIONAL RETREATS and TEAMBUILDING: All workshops are available for organizations, clinical in-service trainings, and teambuilding. I am also available for private classes and individual sessions in my studio. Please contact me for references and CV and to learn more about the benefits of Expressive Arts in your setting. Here is a listing of past classes to give you an idea of what is possible.

University of Utare ah School of Social Work The Summer Institute June 2007 Institute Presentation: Expressive Arts in Psychotherapy: Using the Expressive Arts in Clinical Practice and Agency Settings for Healing and Transformation June 5 – 6, 2007  8:00 am – 5:00 pm SW 860-005 (non-credit) 14 NASW/UPA Endorsed Continuing Education Units Location:  Studio on 3rd floor of the Art Building, specific room TBA Day 1: Using the Expressive Arts with clients is a non-verbal entryway into their hearts and minds. The first day of this introductory workshop will show participants an exciting way to support clients in a unique transformational and therapeutic process. Learn methodology, simple techniques and suggested approaches. There will be in-class practice exercises and open discussion style.  The class focus will be “Journal from the Heart ™: The art of creative journaling for healing and transformation,” a workshop Ms. Gaynor designed and has taught successfully for many years. Participants will learn creative writing and visual exercises to take clients beyond the written word. Take part in a journey of the imagination in a safe, supportive environment. Day 2: The second day of this class will show participants how to utilize the expressive arts to work with clients in an exciting way. The focus of the class will be on mask making, which can support clients in expressing feelings around self-esteem, abuse, trauma, etc.  Using ready-made masks as a starting point, participants will go through the mask making process so they will feel confident using this technique with clients, both children and adults. Participants will learn methodology, simple techniques, materials, resources and suggested approaches. The class is taught in experiential and open discussion style.  No previous artistic experience is required.  Casual, art-appropriate dress is suggested as this course will utilize a number of art media.  This class is for any clinician looking to incorporate new and creative ways of working into their practice.

 

International Expressive Arts Therapy Association Conference Conference Presentation: Journal From The Heart The art of visual journaling for healing and transformation Date: Saturday, May 26, 2007 Time: 1:45pm-4:30pm Place: Boone, North Carolina Room: Jefferson A&B Conference information Using the visual journal with clients is a non-verbal entryway into their hearts and minds. this introductory workshop will show you an exciting way to support clients kina unique transformational and therapeutic process. We will begin the time with a silent walking meditation in nature, gathering symbols of our inner-world. Students will learn methodology, simple techniques and suggested approaches. There will be in-class practice exercises and an open discussion style.

 

Journal From The Heart A playful primer on the art of visual journaling Visual journaling is an entryway into our heart and mind. This introductory workshop will show you simple tools and techniques to create a beautiful visual journal.     We will use creative writing, paint, and collage to take you beyond the written word. Take part in a journey of the imagination in a safe, supportive environment where there are no rules and anything goes. As with all Sheri's classes...no previous creative or artistic experience required. Only a willingness to experiment and explore.     Participants will then be eligible to for a monthly Carbondale journal club.     "Journal From The Heart is the best class I have ever taken! Not once in the six hours did I look at my watch. I never felt threatened, uneasy or afraid that I would fail. The critic got lost on the way to class. Let him stay that way! Thank you for providing such a nurturing and expressive day." ~ L. Stephenson, Carbondale, CO 2001 participant   Limited spaces available. Call Sheri directly to register 970-618-0561 PLEASE NOTE: Visual journaling for recovery and healing is also available. Contact Sheri for more information

Painting Your Heart Out! Have you ever wanted to throw paint on a canvas and set free your creative essence? Well, now you can! Painting Your Heart Out is for everyone who has ever dreamed of playing with paint and color, but fears that painting is only for "real artists." Intuitive painting is about connecting with the artist inside every one of us.  This fun and heartfelt class, is about discovering your innate talent and creative power, challenging you to break through perceived boundaries about what it means to be a creative individual. "Sheri's workshop Paint your Heart Out enlivens the process of creating visual art.   Letting go of the anticipated outcome of the work allowed me to look at my own process in a whole new way. My art work tends to be on a small-scale and even a bit contracted at times.  Through Sheri's workshop, I experienced the freedom to work uninhibited in a large format.  The opportunity to move paint freely, taking advantage of the mediums open time, to blend and create new colors, was an invaluable experience." Simply painting with, or without, random, imposing thoughts was truly liberating for me. "  Nicole Levesque, Basalt, CO

Introduction to Photo-coloring
Add a touch of personal expression to all those photos sitting in boxes at home. Photo-coloring (hand-coloring) is as easy as paint by numbers and a lot more exciting.  Ideally you will need some black and white images, which are easily created by scanning in your imagery and desaturating them.  This is great for scrap booking or anyone interested in visual journaling.  Any photo program can do this. If you need help, contact Sheri at sheri@sherigaynor.com or give her a call 618-0561.

Expressive Arts in Psychotherapy Supporting clients in creative exploration for healing and transformation Using the Expressive Arts with clients in your practice is a non-verbal entryway into their hearts and minds. This introductory workshop will show you an exciting way to support your clients in a unique transformational and therapeutic process. Sheri Gaynor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, has been leading Expressive Arts classes and trainings for over 18 years. Read more

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January 2007 Workshops

Envision The Life of Your Dreams!-January and February
Imagine the possibilites...

January Class Begins: TUESDAY, January 16, 2007 in Carbondale-SOLD OUT

February Class Begins: MONDAY, February 12 , 2007 in Carbondale-Sold Out   

January and February classes are full as of 1/3/06 please contact to be wait listed

Read more

 

	Private Workshops and Retreats Transformational private gatherings and retreats

The Art of Ritual and Ceremony

Ceremony and ritual are a way of life for many cultures. They are used to mark specific occasions and to honor rites of passage. These projects were created with different intentions, yet have the same purpose. To create a piece of art in service of community.

In Loving Memory Floris Lake Oregon, 2002 A tribute to a friend lost in the World Trade towers. Created anonymously at sunrise on the first year anniversary "This was my way of healing my confusion and grief over the event that transpired and the loss of an old family friend. As a native New Yorker, the event touched a place in my psyche I did not know existed." " As the date of the year anniversary approached, I felt the need to create something symbolic as a way to move through the emotions of what had become a long year in the history of our country. I remember feeling so much hope and love amidst the ashes, seeing the world rise up to share our grief. Hope that was quickly turned inside out by a cry for "justice" and more violence by men who seem to believe an eye for an eye is the only way." " We were in the last half of our sabbatical year, traveling in a 24-foot trailer. We were camping at Floris Lake in Oregon. The evening before the anniversary, the idea came upon me and took form. I woke before sunrise in the dark, the campground was silent. I dressed and walked over the dunes to the shoreline, a silent meditation within each step. There was a part of me that somehow believed the image would wash away quickly, before anyone else could see it, like the towers, in a blink of an eye. But or course, as nature would have it, it took many hours for the tide to wash the image away, leaving only the stones and seaweed in the sand. As others came to hike the beach and collect the stones that wash up each day on the shore, they saw the memorial and were able to share moment of remembrance and reverence, without knowing who it was that had created the earth art." "The emotions I carried for a year washed away with each gentle push of the tidal waters, leaving my soul cleansed. After the last stone fell, I looked out on the water and a seal was poking his head out from the waves. Looking into those dark eyes, I felt my sadness release, and prayed that we could find another way of dealing with our anger." ~Sheri Gaynor, 2002

Two Snakes Labyrinth was conceptualized by artist Toni Grenko, who brought her vision to a group she formed earlier that year, aptly named DreamRiders. The members of this group share and hold one anothers dreams and ideas, so they have a collective pot in which to simmer before they are ready to be born and manifest. With the beauty of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Two Snakes was created on land in Carbondale, Colorado, which had been designated as open space for public use. Initially the labryinth was created as a "pirate" project, meaning we did not ask for permission to create the earth art, but when it was completed, we invited town staff, to experience the joy, beauty of power of sacred space. Toni created an educational presentation that was later shown at Town Hall, to share the creation of the project with a wider audience. Two Snakes still stands and we believe that people find the labryrinth, when they are ready... ~DreamRiders 2005

Icons and Altars

icon n
a visual representation (of an object, scene, person or abstraction) produced on a surface

Using found objects, photographic images and collage, we will create an altar that becomes your personal and symbolic icon. We will engage in movement, and poetic play. Each participant will leave with a unique and personal representation of their experience.

EnVision™ the Life of Your Dreams!

Imagine the possibilites...

Using creative exercises and the EnVision Delicious Dream™ process, participants will uncover their hearts desire. You will create a guidebook for next year of your life. sowing the seeds for an amazing transformation. Sheri has taught this class for over 8 years. The workshop will help you uncover, discover and claim a life filled with purpose and passion. Read more

 

Journal From the Heart 101

The art of visual journaling is an entryway into our hearts and minds.

This class will show you how to create a beautiful visual journal. You will learn tools and techniques to begin
using your journal to move beyond the written word. No prior experience is needed. All paint, supplies and
goodies, are provided by the Sheri.

Journal From the Heart 102

The art of visual journaling is an entryway into our hearts and minds.

More tools and techniques to expand your visual journal horizons! Pre-requisite JFH 101

 

 

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