Feeling Thankful for Creativity in Community

Gratitude for connections formed around creative practice in community.

As I reflect on art in community, I notice how creative practice opens up spaces to live together with uncertainty and vulnerability and to connect through allowing ourselves to be seen and heard.  It has been fun recently to reconnect with families and young artists from Art at the Center. They are performing in plays in community and high school theater, creating murals and artwork, and growing into young adults. I'm thankful for chances to see their creativity shine in new settings.  

It has been almost 5 years since Art at the Center closed its doors on Sherwood Hall Lane. I’m grateful to get to bring the spirit of the studio to adult creators in classes at Huntley Meadows Park and with teens at Martha Washington Library.  I enjoyed connecting with many of you at a recent contemplative art workshop hosted by the Center for Spiritual Deepening at St Aidan’s and St Peter in the Woods womens' retreat at Shrine Mont.

I am also thankful for those who help connect the community with art.  Kirsten McCulloch curates a beautiful setting celebrating local artists at her salon, Studio K in Hollin Hall.  She is hosting my artwork through the end of December.  I visited her recently and it was fun to connect around the people we know in common, as parents, as business owners, and with our shared interest in celebrating the work of local creators.

This month I celebrated the 6 year anniversary of the publication of COLLETTE A Collage Adventure and Oops Paint. My children's books were written to share the practices from the studio with families working at home or teachers working in schools. I'm honored when I get artwork from readers who feel that my books help them craft spaces for creative practice with collage and printing materials. 

Currently, I am back to writing with a broader focus on creative practice and how it opens space to be together and foster connections.  The image above is one of my brainstorming webs looking at different aspects of practice.  In the coming months, I will continue to write about my reflections on practice on Instagram @kathrynconeway.  I hope you will check it out and share your stories as well. 

November, 2013 and the arrival of the first copies of COLLETTE A Collage Adventure and Oops Paint. 
Signed copies of both books are available here through my store.
 

See more of Kathryn's work...

My exhibit at Studio K includes images from my collage and photo transfer series as well as ceramic labyrinths, including labyrinth balls pictured here.  Visit the studio Wednesday - Saturday for holiday shopping.  
Many thanks to Kirsten McCulloch for curating such a beautiful setting focused on sharing the work of local artists.

See my latest work for art-o-mat vending machines, paper cutting and color wheels on Instagram @kathrynconeway 

Upcoming Opportunities for Collage Workshops...

December 13 - Nature Collage Workshop at River Farm. 
See this link for registration.

This winter I will be back at Huntley Meadows for a four week course on combining collage and photo transfer using acrylic medium. 
Visit this link to register through Fairfax County Parks.

Creative practice expands notions of who is included and encourages peer relationships among practitioners at different stages of creative and life journeys.  I am energized by connections formed around creative practice and always welcome any stories you would like to share.  Thank you for being a part of my community.