HOST AN ECO-ART WELLNESS WORKSHOP
THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO CONNECT!
Do something interesting! Allow the gentle yet powerful voices of nature, art, and your own intuition to help understand yourself and your place in this world!
For current public workshops, click here!
HOST A NATURE MANDALA WORKSHOP!
My Eco-Art Wellness Workshops are not just about creating beautiful designs. They are about allowing the gentle but powerful voices of nature and art to help us better understand ourselves, our connections, and our place in this world. Each workshop is designed around a specific topic holding space for positive exploration with support from nature and each other. Workshops typically include creative time, introspective writing, creation of individual or group mandalas, and meaningful discussion.
Nature Mandala workshops provide unique, memorable, and positive experiences for learning and connecting. They are great for nature centers, schools, community groups, company team builds, professional development days, retreat centers, or just friends!
Workshops are flexible, but generally last between one and three hours depending on time allowed and number of participants. (Multiple workshops can be scheduled for the same or multiple days.) All materials are provided.
Please note that mandalas are ephemeral and will not be taken home. Photographs are encouraged. High resolution, edited photographs or video can be order separately in advance.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING
"Very moving. I got in touch with emotions I wasn't aware I was carrying. Loved the community witnessing, too." - Jenny X.
“It felt like a burst of oxygen.” - Patricia S.
"Words honestly cannot convey the depth of these “workshops”, these experiences led by Ms.Adoette. She gathers us and gently leads us to engage, create and share. In exchange we are seen. We are heard. We are valued. It is a very powerful form of art therapy... Although the process begins as an introspective creation of an individual mandala, it shifts as we share our personal narratives and comments. Our group bonds and it transitions to a communal experience, which creates this energy, which carries an expansive effect which remains within each participant long after each mandala has been disassembled." - Amy C.
". . . thank you for guiding us and showing me the beauty in circles. I am now seeing; creating; and thinking mandalas wherever I go. You ARE a prophet: PREACH!" - Leslie G.
"Thanks for making me realize how beautiful the world is." - 5th Grader from North Kingstown
To read professional letters of recommendation, click here.
For Beth's Rhode Island Teachers Roster listing on CreativeGround, click here.
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR
Beth Adoette grew up in the Appalachian Mountains with beech trees, hemlock, mountain streams, and chickadees in her hand. Once an editorial illustrator, she now concentrates on writing, illustrating, and photographing what she calls the “Contemplative Sacred Circles” she co-creates with nature. She also
designs and facilitates a variety of Eco-Art Wellness Workshops.
Beth holds a BFA in Fine Arts and has received certification in Eco-Art Therapy through Portland State University, Portland Oregon, and Project Nature Connect.
For libraries, art centers, nature centers, and others who want to schedule multiple, recurring workshops, see my seasonal and monthly suggestions by clicking here.
AVAILABLE ECO-ART WELLNESS WORKSHOPS FOR LIBRARIES, NATURE CENTERS, ART CENTERS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, CHURCH GROUPS, RETREATS, WELLNESS CENTERS, OR GROUPS OF FRIENDS (INDIVIDUAL EPHEMERAL MANDALAS)
RE-CENTERING (Adults)
Re-centering is a powerful and vital practice done routinely to make sure we are not getting distracted from what is important in our lives. This workshop holds space to explore what is calling us in the present moment through the creation of beautiful, individual nature mandalas. Find support from a group of curious, like-minded people as we explore boundaries and intentions, and allow nature and art to help reset in a creative, intuitive way.
FIND YOUR PATH / FOLLOW YOUR PATH (Adults)
Life gets complicated and we can find ourselves distracted and unsure of the path we are on. Allow your intuition and the gentle, yet powerful voices of art and nature help you discern direction for your life. This workshop is not necessarily about the destination. It is about the path. Participants create individual nature mandalas to discover or remember the path that brings them joy with the opportunity to consider how current life choices line up with that direction.
DAY'S EYE (Adults)
Hundreds of years ago, the daisy was called “day’s eye” in England, and “the eye of the day” in Wales. These lovely names are derived from the way this flower pays attention as it opens its petals in the morning, turns to follow the sun’s path, and then closes back up at night and turns towards the east in anticipation of the sun. In this workshop, we take our cue from this humble yet wise flower, as we try to identify our daily intentions and create a nature mandala to act as a beautiful and practical reminder of our intentions.
FAMILY CIRCLES (Any Age)
This circle workshop is all about acknowledging and honoring the people who make up “family” at this moment, either through blood, love, or kindred spirit. Create a personal work of art that celebrates the people in your life using beautiful nature objects that capture their individual spirits to complete a beautiful whole. A beautiful workshop.
NAUTILUS WISDOM (Adults)
As the chambered nautilus grows, it creates and moves into larger chambers within its shell creating a beautiful fibonacci sequence. This ancient creature’s beauty, however, is more than shell deep. As it grows, it creates new chambers but continues to use the old compartments to navigate the ocean depths. In this workshop, we consider the different stages of our lives and see how we might use our past to help navigate the present and future. If you have ever felt you have lived many different lives, this workshop may be for you!
"BLACKBERRYING" (Adults)
The blackberry has a rich history not only in the culinary and medicinal world, but symbolically as well. In this workshop, we will learn about this ancient berry, its growing habits, its character, and and how it fiercely represents determination, confidence, and resilience. The term, “Blackberrying” or the act of picking blackberries, was and is often a communal activity among families and friends. In this same spirit of community, we will hold space for each other as we explore our own interpretations of the blackberry and create a beautiful nature mandalas made of blackberries and other natural objects.
"WHAT SHALL I PUT IN THE HOLE THAT I DIG?" (Adults)
Take a different look at a popular 1963 children's book (written by Eleanor Thompson, illustrated by Aliki) that tells us what we can and cannot plant. It just might be time to plant your own dream seed and visualize what you need to do to help it grow. Be bold. Be creative. No holding back. No limitations. You decide what dream seed to plant.
GETTING UNSTUCK (Adults)
There are times in our lives when negative emotions, legitimate or understandable as they may be, can take root in our lives and inhibit us from moving forward. They may come and go, or they may simply linger. Getting unstuck involves both the recognition of these strong emotions and seeing them in perspective. In this eco-art wellness workshop, we look to the beauty and power of water to gain perspective on our lives, find a place to leave these inhibiting emotions behind, and visualize the possibility of breaking free.
CREATING A SELF-PORTRAIT MANDALA (Adults, Middle School, High School)
A seemingly whimsical notion of seeing yourself as a mandala can be a powerful practice of self-care to help challenge beliefs about yourself, turn a page, move forward, or simply understand and love yourself a little better. Connect with a group of curious, creative, and supportive people as we make individual nature mandalas that represent and honor the wonderful, complicated, beautiful people we are!
NEST AND REST (Adults)
Winter is the season associated with the north, the earth, and grounding. As we enter into the busy holiday season and beyond, we are wise to take a much needed pause and consider what we naturally need during this time of year. Participants in this workshop will explore their own unique requirements for rest and create a nature mandala, or nest, that holds space for contemplation, recovery, regrouping, and rest. Enjoy holiday time with family and friends, but do not neglect the calling of nature that invites us to settle in and find rest.
YOUR OWN FOUR DIRECTIONS (Adults)
The concept of four directions, like circles and mandalas, is embraced in many cultures and practices around the world. Earth, Air, Fire and Water. North, East, South, and West. Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. The four directions remind us that we are part of something larger than ourselves. In this workshop, participants will consider different ways to incorporate the four directions into their life and then create an individual, ephemeral nature mandala from a large variety of natural objects. Use the image to remind yourself of the wisdom of cycles, or as a prompt in your own meditation, movement, or spiritual practice.
EARTH ELEMENT / ROCK STORIES (Adults)
Earth is one of the four elements most often associated with autumn. For this workshop, we consider rocks, a form of the earth, that can hold powerful stories in our lives. Unlike the other workshops, participants are asked to bring something with them - a rock(s) that holds a personal story for them. These rocks are combined with other nature objects, provided by the facilitator, to create an individual story circles to honor their journey. At the end, everyone has an opportunity to tell their story. Listen to the rocks speak through art and through words!
AIR ELEMENT / THE GREAT CONNECTOR (Adults)
AIR is the element often associated with Spring. In this exciting season of change, come create individual nature mandalas that explore and honor this element that connects each and every one of us. Learn, discuss, and even challenge yourself with the support of other curious, creative, and open-minded people as we consider how this element unashamedly, powerfully, and beautifully connects us all. A meaningful workshop!
FIRE ELEMENT / CHASING SPARKS (Adults)
The FIRE element is often associated with summer and the longest day of the year, June 21. It can also represent our passions and our dreams. In this workshop, we create space to brainstorm about our hopes and aspirations. We will identify, examine, and honor them. In our nighttime sky where dreams live, stars may appear very small like tiny sparks. They are, however, powerful forces of energy. In this workshop space, we will try to see our dreams as sparks and consider what they are trying to say to us, what we can learn from them, or perhaps how we can begin to bring them into our lives.
WATER ELEMENT / WATER IS A VERB (Adults)
Water, one of the four elements often associated with winter, embodies so many different forms on this earth. In this workshop, participants contemplate this fluid element to discover which form most closely relates to their own, individual lives in this present moment. Participants then create individual nature circles to dive deeper into understanding and celebrating how we live our best lives like water. One of my favorite workshops!
THE BIG CIRCLE (Adults, Middle School, High School)
A unique experience where participants create a group, cooperative mandala to gain a new perspective of their contribution to the whole, as well as gaining appreciation and mutual respect for their peers. A memorable way to see how we are all connected!
BEAUTIFUL YOU. BEAUTIFUL US. (Adults, Middle School, High School)
This multi-step workshop is an extension of "The Big Circle" workshop that gives participants the opportunity to first create an individual mandalas and then contribute to the creation of a large, group circle. Participants explore the beauty of their individual gifts and contemplate their contribution to the world as a whole.
INTRODUCTION TO NATURE MANDALAS (Middle School and High School)
This workshop offers young people the opportunity to unplug and be in the moment while exploring beautiful nature objects. Participants will be introduced to nature mandala art by viewing selected artist photographs, and then they have the opportunity create their own individual circle. The workshop also includes short, descriptive and introspective writing. Participation in this workshop can count towards the Girl Scout Art in the Outdoors or Art in Nature Badges!
FOR TEAM BUILDS, LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, RETREATS, ART CENTERS, ETC. (COOPERATIVE EPHEMERAL MANDALAS)
FOR LARGER GROUPS: THE BEAUTY OF CONNECTION: CREATING A COOPERATIVE NATURE MANDALA Contemplate the beauty of nature and what it can teach us about our connection to the natural world and to each other in this workshop that includes artist talk and cooperative nature mandala experience. This workshop helps build community emphasizing that no one part (or person) is more important, or less important than any other. It encourages equality, inclusion, community, and respect. One large, cooperative mandala will be created. Experience the power of beauty and connection! (Videos or photographs from this workshop can be ordered separately.)
FOR SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS
ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, AND HOMESCHOOL
Nature mandala workshops can be tailored for middle school, high school, or homeschool students. These workshops create space for memorable experiences and opportunity to be in the moment, observe, and interact with nature and each other. Art, nature, and sometimes introspective writing prompts invite self-reflection, respect, and inclusion. Workshop options allow students to create individual mandalas, group mandalas, or both.
Third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades may include an introduction to different designs in nature (i.e. circle, spiral, bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry), mandalas, and beauty, all while encouraging observational skills. Junior high and high school classes may include introspective writing and contemplation of how they individually relate to nature and each other. Optional group mandalas emphasize how no one is more or less important than any other, and how each is necessary to the whole.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY WORKSHOPS
Nature mandala workshops are a great way for teachers to connect, encourage, and create during professional development days. Teachers can not only get ideas to use with their students, they can also strengthen their professional relationships through discussion, encouragement, and self-reflection.
OTHER OFFERINGS
Artist Talk: Co-Creating with Nature - The Nature Mandalas of Beth Adoette
Artist Talk and Cooperative Mandala Experience: The Beauty of Connection
Artist Talk and Cooperative Mandala Experience: From Paying Attention to Transformation - Nature’s invitation to Authenticity and Change
WANT TO SCHEDULE OR TALK ABOUT IDEAS? E-mail me!
Images from a teacher professional development day, eco-art wellness workshop, elementary art class, and co-operatve mandala from a women's retreat.