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 Gayle Danley, national & international poetry slam champion
Gayle Performing in Frederick, MD
Slam poetry began in Chicago’s bars and coffeehouses in the late 1980’s. This phenomenal blend of spoken and written word turns every willing soul into a poet while providing relief from the stresses of the day. Master teaching artist Gayle Danley has shared her down-on-the-floor style of performance poetry all over the country in classrooms, lecture halls, theatres and even on CBS’ 60 minutes.
Join her for much laughter, emotion, comfort, understanding and instruction in the art of slam poetry. Her 4-step process has been tried in the fire and proven to be an effective antidote to the blues of the day and the isolation that threatens to drive us mad!
Suggested Donation: $15
Poem for my Sisters With Sons:
Breathe:
Pull a clean fist of air inside your self
and let it rest there
wide and unfrightened inside your belly
asking for nothing
Remember when the baby boy was there
Stirring and fighting and kicking things around
inside of you.
And where is he now?
Kicking at air
asking for everything
Defiance rippling on the edge of his skin
Beautiful as water
And do not worry if your brown boy
doesn’t smile enough
as long as he still smiles at you:
over dinner
over the news
from beneath a curtain of hair tangled and sprawled,
it is enough
Does he still know your name?
Good.
Does he still reach for you when there is blood
Does he still make you want to kill him on Monday mornings
Soon after crushing the competition at Asheville’s National Poetry Slam in 1994, Gayle Danley entered America’s classrooms teaching thousands of children how to access their emotions through the force of words. She performed and taught her way from Maryland Young Audience’s Artist of the Year, to National Young Audience’s Artist of the Year. She’s also both a former national and international poetry slam champion. CBS 60 Minutes profiled her work with middle schoolers as well as the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post and New York Times.
For the past five years, Gayle’s Grieffriend sessions have helped women who are living with AIDS, widows, incarcerated youth and those struggling with drug addiction and recovery use poetry to cope and bravely face life’s challenges.
Gayle was recently named Maryland Library Association Poet of the Year.
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.
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:
February 10
March 10
April 14
May 12
June 9
July 14
August 11
September 8
October 20
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
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:
January 13
February 10
March 10
April 14
May 12
June 9
July 14
August 11
September 8
October 20
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
In order to participate, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.
with artist & sculptor Liz Lescault
Painting in Community
Floral Creations in Watercolor
January’s session will focus on brushwork. So please bring a variety of brushes including old ones that have seen better days. We will explore creating leaves, petals, stems and flower heads with various brushstroke techniques.Let’s get together and paint.In each session an image, photograph or painting will be displayed which participants can choose as an inspiration for exploring new techniques. Or, participants may choose to bring their own inspirations such as photographs or paintings to the session. Participants may paint whatever they wish during the session.Participants will be introduced to both basic and advanced techniques with a slide show of watercolor paintings that illustrate those techniques.
Bring yourself and your favorite painting supplies. We will paint, listen to soothing music and share our creations. There will be opportunities to ask questions with 10 minutes left at the end of the session for sharing and talking about our experience during the session.
**Limited to 12 participants
The Painting in Community will continue meeting again monthly in 2025, with the first session being Monday, January 13th from 5:30 – 7pm EST.
Suggested Donation: $15/session
Some Suggested Materials*:
Below are some suggested supplies from Cheap Joes www.cheapjoes.com(my favorite place to purchase art supplies – prices are generally 40% off store prices and are of high quality). High quality watercolor supplies are needed to achieve many watercolor effects.
Your favorite watercolor supplies may work just as well.
Watercolor Brush, Flat Wash, size 3/4” – 1” The least expensive Flat Wash brushes are Cheap Joes brand white synthetic. Another reasonably priced choice is Winsor and Newton.
3 small jars or containers for water 4-6 ounces is sufficient
paper towels
About Liz Lescault
Liz Lescault, a visual artist and sculptor, has practiced and taught art for over 40 years. Liz is also a Coordinator of the DC InterPlay Metro Region, a certified InterPlay leader and a member of the DC InterPlay Board. She leads Open Gathering days for InterPlay DC and organizes and leads workshops regionally and nationally online and in person. Liz has been leading Art Lab both for Smith Center for the Healing Arts, for the Phillips Collection and for InterPlay internationally.
Formerly, Liz, was a hotline crisis counselor, for various suicide prevention lifelines and The Trevor Project providing help for LGBTQ youth in crisis and the Prince Georges County Homeless Hotline.
Liz has also led InterPlay for elders with chronic illness and cognitive disabilities at Iona Senior Center in Washington DC.
Liz melds her art, teaching, guidance and personal philosophy with InterPlay wisdom, tools and forms.
B.S., Psychology, Drew University, Madison, NJ
M.Ed., University of Massachusetts at Amherst, British Techniques of Open Education
Studied watercolor at WICE, an international educational and cultural association in Paris, France
This session has been cancelled. The next session will be on Monday, January 27th from 5:30-7:00pm EST. Register here.
with artist & sculptor Liz Lescault
Painting in Community
Floral Creations in Watercolor
December’s session will focus on brushwork. So please bring a variety of brushes including old ones that have seen better days. We will explore creating leaves, petals, stems and flower heads with various brushstroke techniques.
Let’s get together and paint.
In each session an image, photograph or painting will be displayed which participants can choose as an inspiration for exploring new techniques. Or, participants may choose to bring their own inspirations such as photographs or paintings to the session. Participants may paint whatever they wish during the session.
Participants will be introduced to both basic and advanced techniques with a slide show of watercolor paintings that illustrate those techniques.
Bring yourself and your favorite painting supplies. We will paint, listen to soothing music and share our creations. There will be opportunities to ask questions with 10 minutes left at the end of the session for sharing and talking about our experience during the session.
**Limited to 12 participants
This program will be offered monthly on the following Mondays:
December 16 from 5:30 – 7pm EST
The Painting in Community will continue meeting again monthly in 2025, with the first session being Monday, January 27th from 5:30 – 7pm EST.
Suggested Donation: $15/session
Some Suggested Materials*:
Below are some suggested supplies from Cheap Joes www.cheapjoes.com(my favorite place to purchase art supplies – prices are generally 40% off store prices and are of high quality). High quality watercolor supplies are needed to achieve many watercolor effects.
Your favorite watercolor supplies may work just as well.
Watercolor Brush, Flat Wash, size 3/4” – 1” The least expensive Flat Wash brushes are Cheap Joes brand white synthetic. Another reasonably priced choice is Winsor and Newton.
3 small jars or containers for water 4-6 ounces is sufficient
paper towels
About Liz Lescault
Liz Lescault, a visual artist and sculptor, has practiced and taught art for over 40 years. Liz is also a Coordinator of the DC InterPlay Metro Region, a certified InterPlay leader and a member of the DC InterPlay Board. She leads Open Gathering days for InterPlay DC and organizes and leads workshops regionally and nationally online and in person. Liz has been leading Art Lab both for Smith Center for the Healing Arts, for the Phillips Collection and for InterPlay internationally.
Formerly, Liz, was a hotline crisis counselor, for various suicide prevention lifelines and The Trevor Project providing help for LGBTQ youth in crisis and the Prince Georges County Homeless Hotline.
Liz has also led InterPlay for elders with chronic illness and cognitive disabilities at Iona Senior Center in Washington DC.
Liz melds her art, teaching, guidance and personal philosophy with InterPlay wisdom, tools and forms.
B.S., Psychology, Drew University, Madison, NJ
M.Ed., University of Massachusetts at Amherst, British Techniques of Open Education
Studied watercolor at WICE, an international educational and cultural association in Paris, France
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
To register for this program, please click the RSVP button above or email olivia@smithcenter.org.
with artist & sculptor Liz Lescault
Painting in Community
Still Life and Floral Creations in Watercolor
Let’s get together and paint.
In each session a watercolor painting will be displayed which participants can choose to copy for the purpose of exploring new techniques. Or, participants may choose to bring their own inspirations such as photographs or paintings to the session.
Participants will be introduced to both basic and advanced techniques relating to the watercolor on display.
Bring yourself and your favorite painting supplies. We will paint, listen to soothing music and share our creations. There will be opportunities to ask questions with 10 minutes left at the end of the session for sharing our progress.
**Limited to 8 participants
This program will be offered monthly on the following Mondays:
November 18 from 5:30 – 7pm EST
December 16 from 5:30 – 7pm EST
Suggested Donation: $15/session
Some Suggested Materials*:
Below are some suggested supplies from Cheap Joes www.cheapjoes.com(my favorite place to purchase art supplies – prices are generally 40% off store prices and are of high quality). High quality watercolor supplies are needed to achieve many watercolor effects.
Your favorite watercolor supplies may work just as well.
Watercolor Brush, Flat Wash, size 3/4” – 1” The least expensive Flat Wash brushes are Cheap Joes brand white synthetic. Another reasonably priced choice is Winsor and Newton.
3 small jars or containers for water 4-6 ounces is sufficient
paper towels
About Liz Lescault
Liz Lescault, a visual artist and sculptor, has practiced and taught art for over 40 years. Liz is also a Coordinator of the DC InterPlay Metro Region, a certified InterPlay leader and a member of the DC InterPlay Board. She leads Open Gathering days for InterPlay DC and organizes and leads workshops regionally and nationally online and in person. Liz has been leading Art Lab both for Smith Center for the Healing Arts, for the Phillips Collection and for InterPlay internationally.
Formerly, Liz, was a hotline crisis counselor, for various suicide prevention lifelines and The Trevor Project providing help for LGBTQ youth in crisis and the Prince Georges County Homeless Hotline.
Liz has also led InterPlay for elders with chronic illness and cognitive disabilities at Iona Senior Center in Washington DC.
Liz melds her art, teaching, guidance and personal philosophy with InterPlay wisdom, tools and forms.
B.S., Psychology, Drew University, Madison, NJ
M.Ed., University of Massachusetts at Amherst, British Techniques of Open Education
Studied watercolor at WICE, an international educational and cultural association in Paris, France
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
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 currently full. To be added to the wait list, please email olivia@smithcenter.org.
with artist & sculptor Liz Lescault
Painting in Community
Still Life and Floral Creations in Watercolor
Let’s get together and paint.
In each session a watercolor painting will be displayed which participants can choose to copy for the purpose of exploring new techniques. Or, participants may choose to bring their own inspirations such as photographs or paintings to the session.
Participants will be introduced to both basic and advanced techniques relating to the watercolor on display.
Bring yourself and your favorite painting supplies. We will paint, listen to soothing music and share our creations. There will be opportunities to ask questions with 10 minutes left at the end of the session for sharing our progress.
**Limited to 8 participants
This program will be offered monthly on the following Mondays:
October 21 from 5:30 – 7pm EST
November 18 from 5:30 – 7pm EST
December 16 from 5:30 – 7pm EST
Some Suggested Materials*:
Below are some suggested supplies from Cheap Joes www.cheapjoes.com(my favorite place to purchase art supplies – prices are generally 40% off store prices and are of high quality). High quality watercolor supplies are needed to achieve many watercolor effects.
Your favorite watercolor supplies may work just as well.
Watercolor Brush, Flat Wash, size 3/4” – 1” The least expensive Flat Wash brushes are Cheap Joes brand white synthetic. Another reasonably priced choice is Winsor and Newton.
3 small jars or containers for water 4-6 ounces is sufficient
paper towels
About Liz Lescault
Liz Lescault, a visual artist and sculptor, has practiced and taught art for over 40 years. Liz is also a Coordinator of the DC InterPlay Metro Region, a certified InterPlay leader and a member of the DC InterPlay Board. She leads Open Gathering days for InterPlay DC and organizes and leads workshops regionally and nationally online and in person. Liz has been leading Art Lab both for Smith Center for the Healing Arts, for the Phillips Collection and for InterPlay internationally.
Formerly, Liz, was a hotline crisis counselor, for various suicide prevention lifelines and The Trevor Project providing help for LGBTQ youth in crisis and the Prince Georges County Homeless Hotline.
Liz has also led InterPlay for elders with chronic illness and cognitive disabilities at Iona Senior Center in Washington DC.
Liz melds her art, teaching, guidance and personal philosophy with InterPlay wisdom, tools and forms.
B.S., Psychology, Drew University, Madison, NJ
M.Ed., University of Massachusetts at Amherst, British Techniques of Open Education
Studied watercolor at WICE, an international educational and cultural association in Paris, France
