Challenging Times: Connecting Through Creativity and Conversation
This is a free activity but registration is required.
We live in changing and uncertain times. Art and creative thinking play critical roles – reflecting the world’s complexities and fostering dialogue – during all seasons but especially in challenging times. How can we create a safe space for community interaction and sharing experiences? How can we build lasting support systems? In an effort to harness the healing power of the arts, the Challenging Times Series is offered by the the Crafts Center in partnership with the Gregg Museum of Art & Design and Arts NC State.
Where: The Gregg Museum
When: Specific dates listed below with each topic
Time: 1:00 – 3:00pm [Fridays]
Each session explores a specific theme with time for artistic creation, shared conversation, making art, and collaboration. We encourage you to bring a journal.
You don’t have to be an artist to participate! Join us!
*Light snacks and art materials will be provided.
Session 1: Friday, January 31
Community Building:
Fostering a supportive community where artists can share experiences, resources, and encouragement, creating a space for collaboration and solidarity.
In this opening session participants establish a safe environment to explore and create collaboratively. We discover who’s here, what kind of art each of us is currently doing, what we might offer each other, and what we dream of offering to our community.
While we are talking each person will begin a canvas with the media of their choice. Every 8 minutes you will pass your canvas to the right. It comes back to you. We talk about what was created from us.
Session 2: Friday, February 7
Resilience and Resolution: Finding Inner Peace Amidst the Chaos through Art Creation
Participants paint or draw while continuing the conversation. If you did not attend the previous session, we will catch you up! Each person receives a set of 2×2 squares to decorate freely. You will create whatever you want on each square.
Session 3: Friday, February 14
Random acts of kindness week
We create from the art we created in the previous session. (If you did not attend the previous session, materials will be provided for you at this session.) Each person composes mosaics with contributions from everyone in the group, discusses what it means to belong, and how we might do random acts of kindness for the community. As an added bonus each person will craft a paper box for gifting a random act of kindness.
Session 4: Friday, March 21
Mindfulness and Wellness: Incorporating mental health practices into art making.
Incorporate practices that promote mental health and well-being into the discussions. Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and self-care can help you stay grounded and resilient in challenging times. Today we take good care of ourselves by incorporating mindfulness, meditation, and art making. We begin with a guided meditation then make art. Each participant will make art with the medium of their own choice.
Session 5: Friday, April 4
Mindfulness and Wellness: Incorporating mental health practices into art making, continued.
Today we emphasize self-care through mindfulness, meditation, and artistic expression. The session commences with a guided meditation followed by art creation, allowing each participant to choose their preferred medium.
Session 6: Friday, April 11
Imagining Alternative Futures: Speculative thinking and creative brainstorming through art.
Today we reflect on our achievements this school year and contemplate future directions for 2025-26. Each participant will craft a vision board.