Please Note: At this time, the program is full. To be added to the waitlist and be notified if any spots become available, please email Olivia at olivia@smithcenter.org.
A Day of Renewal: Grounding after Cancer
Saturday, February 8 from 9:45am to 4pm
with Kiersten Gallagher, Erin Price, Kara Garrett, and Olivia Gonyea
Registration fee: $50
(If cost is a barrier to your participation, please email programs@smithcenter.org to discuss reduced fee options).
A Day of Renewal: Grounding after Cancer is a one-day retreat designed to help cancer patients & survivors reconnect with themselves and restore balance. Through mindfulness practices, yoga nidra, radical writing, and connection to other survivors, you will tap into inner strength and discover ways to ground and center yourself after a cancer diagnosis. This retreat offers a safe, supportive space for reflection and processing, allowing you to feel empowered as you move forward in your healing process. Whether seeking emotional release, physical relaxation, or connection to a community, we will offer you tools and space for renewal and growth. A healthy, nourishing lunch is included as part of your registration fee. Space is limited!
- Pre-retreat Connection Circle (VIRTUAL on Zoom): Thursday, February 6, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
- One-Day Retreat (IN-PERSON at Smith Center): Saturday, February 8, 9:45 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Post-retreat Connection Circle (VIRTUAL on Zoom): Tuesday, February 18, 4:30 – 5:45 p.m.
Please note that all participants that register for this One-Day Retreat are required to attend a 2-hour pre-retreat Connection Circle on Thursday, February 6, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. AND a post-retreat Closing Circle on Tuesday, February 18, 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. See below for agendas for each day.
PROGRAM AGENDA
Pre-retreat Connection Circle Agenda (Thurs, Feb 6, 4:30p – 6:30 p.m. on ZOOM)
- Welcome & Meditation
- Agreements
- Share Your Story
- Closing
One Day Retreat Agenda (Sat, Feb 8, 9:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. IN PERSON)
- Welcome Circle
- Yoga Nidra & Meditation
- Lunch and Nutrition Q&A
- Radical Writing
- Closing Circle
Post-retreat Connection Circle Agenda (Tues, Feb 18, 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. on ZOOM)
- Welcome & Meditation
- Agreements
- Reflections & Moving Forward
- Closing
In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Denise Feldman
Looking for a creative community? Wondering how to use creativity to uplift, inspire, and connect us all? Join us for an online gathering where we’ll channel our collective creative energy into spreading love and kindness throughout our communities.
What to Expect:
- Create Your Way: Bring your own project or follow Denise’s featured creation for the session. For January, she’ll be demonstrating “Love Cards,” a quick and inspiring project to get us started!
- Share & Inspire: Swap ideas and cheer each other on as we work on our creations.
- Spread Joy: After the session, we’ll place our completed projects in random places around our neighborhoods, ready to surprise and delight anyone who finds them.
No fancy supplies needed—just bring what you have on hand! You’ll also receive a full suggested materials list each month in advance:
Suggested Supplies for January Session:
- Deck of cards or cardstock paper
- Magazines
- Printer/copy paper or lined paper
- Glue (white glue, glue stick, or mod podge)
- Scissors, ruler
Optional (if available):
- Acrylic paint, watercolor
- Stabilo black pencil
- Stamps, stencils
No matter your creativity or expertise, all are welcome! This a chance to connect, create, and spread kindness. Join us as we send love into the world, one piece of art at a time.
Random Acts of Art Group will be offered the 2nd Monday of the month from 6:00-7:00pm EST.
2025 Meeting Dates:
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January 13
-
February 10
-
March 10
-
April 14
-
May 12
-
June 9
-
July 14
-
August 11
-
September 8
-
October 20
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November 10
-
December 8
Suggested Donation: $15/session
About Denise Feldman
Denise Feldman is a local mixed media artist who discovered the power of creativity as a healing practice after her treatment for breast cancer in 2014. As a creative ‘dabbler’ who loves working with various materials and surfaces, Denise shares her mixed media processes and soulful perspective with the hope of inspiring others to tell their stories ‘on and off the page’ and clear space for life’s chapters yet to come.
“My philosophy is simply that telling our stories helps us heal by giving us the space to process our own experiences and connect with each other. Getting our stories out from our hearts and our heads helps make room for the next chapter to happen…the one just waiting there in the wings.” ~Denise
This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Kiersten Gallagher
Creative expression has often been used in the healing process and it is at the core of Smith Center’s philosophy, but fear of judgment and “not being an artist” can often prevent us from tapping into its healing power. Join us for Outside the Lines: Social Hour, where we will catch up as we reclaim art-making as a healing tool. Participants are welcome to work on their own creative projects as we socialize.
Outside the Lines is held Bi-Monthly on Wednesdays from 10:30am – 12:00pm ET. The Social Hour sessions will only run from 10:30 – 11:30am.
Suggested donation: $10 per class
Our programs are open to the community, and tailored to meet the needs of people affected by cancer. Classes and workshops are free or low cost on a pay-as-you-can basis, ensuring that our programs are accessible to everyone.
About Kiersten Gallagher
As the Cancer Support Program Director, Kiersten fully believes that through the arts we can expand our perspectives and explore new fulfilling ways of being. She invites you to make our space your own refuge, to circumvent your daily routine to spark creativity, to take time for introspection, and draw outside the lines.
In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Denise Feldman
Stitched Together
We’re all part of the same cloth…
Join us for a Stitching Circle! Denise Feldman, a local mixed-media artist and cancer thriver, hosts this monthly gathering in (virtual) community as we talk and stitch—a powerful meditative and healing practice. Gathering as many have done for centuries, Denise will share tips and ideas for using needle and thread to bring joy and creativity to our everyday lives. Use her ideas to jump start your own, or bring your favorite hand work projects and join us for community stitching time!
This community stitching circle is for you! For example, maybe you’ve been hand sewing for years; you might be interested in exploring the recent revival of the “slow-stitch” movement; maybe you are are a needle pointer with a project to finish. Or, you might simply enjoy the meditative nature of hand making with needle and thread.
You may consider bringing:
- needles and thread,
- an old pair of jeans or other clothing that was headed to charity,
- left over fabric from another project,
- or simply bring yourself for some (virtual) time in community.
Stitched Together will be offered Monthly on Saturdays 10:00 – 11:30am ET.
Suggested Donation: $15/session
About Denise Feldman
Denise Feldman is a local mixed media artist who discovered the power of creativity as a healing practice after her treatment for breast cancer in 2014. As a creative ‘dabbler’ who loves working with various materials and surfaces, Denise shares her mixed media processes and soulful perspective with the hope of inspiring others to tell their stories ‘on and off the page’ and clear space for life’s chapters yet to come.
“My philosophy is simply that telling our stories helps us heal by giving us the space to process our own experiences and connect with each other. Getting our stories out from our hearts and our heads helps make room for the next chapter to happen…the one just waiting there in the wings.” ~Denise
This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Kiersten Gallagher
Creative expression has often been used in the healing process and it is at the core of Smith Center’s philosophy, but fear of judgment and “not being an artist” can often prevent us from tapping into its healing power. Join us for Outside the Lines: Social Hour, where we will catch up as we reclaim art-making as a healing tool. Participants are welcome to work on their own creative projects as we socialize.
Outside the Lines is held Bi-Monthly on Wednesdays from 10:30am – 12:00pm ET. The Social Hour sessions will only run from 10:30 – 11:30am.
Suggested donation: $10 per class
Our programs are open to the community, and tailored to meet the needs of people affected by cancer. Classes and workshops are free or low cost on a pay-as-you-can basis, ensuring that our programs are accessible to everyone.
About Kiersten Gallagher
As the Cancer Support Program Director, Kiersten fully believes that through the arts we can expand our perspectives and explore new fulfilling ways of being. She invites you to make our space your own refuge, to circumvent your daily routine to spark creativity, to take time for introspection, and draw outside the lines.
In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Denise Feldman
Stitched Together
We’re all part of the same cloth…
Join us for a Stitching Circle! Denise Feldman, a local mixed-media artist and cancer thriver, hosts this monthly gathering in (virtual) community as we talk and stitch—a powerful meditative and healing practice. Gathering as many have done for centuries, Denise will share tips and ideas for using needle and thread to bring joy and creativity to our everyday lives. Use her ideas to jump start your own, or bring your favorite hand work projects and join us for community stitching time!
This community stitching circle is for you! For example, maybe you’ve been hand sewing for years; you might be interested in exploring the recent revival of the “slow-stitch” movement; maybe you are are a needle pointer with a project to finish. Or, you might simply enjoy the meditative nature of hand making with needle and thread.
You may consider bringing:
- needles and thread,
- an old pair of jeans or other clothing that was headed to charity,
- left over fabric from another project,
- or simply bring yourself for some (virtual) time in community.
Stitched Together will be offered Monthly on Saturdays 10:00 – 11:30am ET.
Suggested Donation: $10
About Denise Feldman
Denise Feldman is a local mixed media artist who discovered the power of creativity as a healing practice after her treatment for breast cancer in 2014. As a creative ‘dabbler’ who loves working with various materials and surfaces, Denise shares her mixed media processes and soulful perspective with the hope of inspiring others to tell their stories ‘on and off the page’ and clear space for life’s chapters yet to come.
“My philosophy is simply that telling our stories helps us heal by giving us the space to process our own experiences and connect with each other. Getting our stories out from our hearts and our heads helps make room for the next chapter to happen…the one just waiting there in the wings.” ~Denise
This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Kiersten Gallagher
Creative expression has often been used in the healing process and it is at the core of Smith Center’s philosophy, but fear of judgment and “not being an artist” can often prevent us from tapping into its healing power. Join us for Outside the Lines: Social Hour, where we will catch up as we reclaim art-making as a healing tool. Participants are welcome to work on their own creative projects as we socialize.
Outside the Lines is held Bi-Monthly on Wednesdays from 10:30am – 12:00pm ET. The Social Hour sessions will only run from 10:30 – 11:30am.
Suggested donation: $10 per class
Our programs are open to the community, and tailored to meet the needs of people affected by cancer. Classes and workshops are free or low cost on a pay-as-you-can basis, ensuring that our programs are accessible to everyone.
About Kiersten Gallagher
As the Cancer Support Program Director, Kiersten fully believes that through the arts we can expand our perspectives and explore new fulfilling ways of being. She invites you to make our space your own refuge, to circumvent your daily routine to spark creativity, to take time for introspection, and draw outside the lines.
