Tag: Community

This program is currently full. If you would like 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:

  • September 23 from 5:30 – 7pm EST
  • 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.

About Liz Lescault

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

https://www.lizlescault.com/home

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

Outside the Lines: A Creative Art Studio

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

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.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. If you have any questions, please email programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Phebe Duff

A community for those who want to explore ways to be present in their lives. This group will examine a different topic each week relevant to members’ lives. We will explore meditation and mindfulness practices that can be applied to life experiences in a supportive way. The group is open to people at any level of experience with meditation and mindfulness. This is a drop-in class, so you can join at any time as topics will differ each week. This is a year-long weekly class that will meet every Monday from 11:30am-12:30pm EST from August 19th, 2024 – January 27th, 2025.

Please Note: This class will begin at Week 34. The first session on August 19th will meet for an additional 15 minutes to do introductions.

About Phebe Duff

Phebe Duff is a long-time meditator and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) facilitator. She completed the Community Dharma Leader program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA and the Dharmacharya program offered by the Venerable Pannavati at Heartwood Refuge in Hendersonville, NC. Phebe has facilitated MBSR courses for a wide variety of populations since 2005. Since retiring after a 30+ year career in human resources and as a professional musician, Phebe has taught meditation and MBSR for Wellness House of Annapolis and Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. Working with the cancer community and sharing the practices of meditation and mindfulness to support their healing journey has been the best experience of her teaching career.

Registration for this program is now closed. Please email programs@smithcenter.org if you would like to be notified of future sessions.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Phebe Duff and Patricia Diaz, MS, KYT-500, RYT-500®

offered in partnership with MedStar Washington Hospital Center

This program is being offered virtually over 9 weeks from Thursday, September 19 through November 14 from 2:00-4:30pm ET. The program also includes a mini virtual retreat on Saturday, October 26 from 9:00am-12:00pm. We ask that participants commit to attending all sessions including the mini-retreat. Limited space available.

We are asking participants to contribute toward their participation in this program, however, we do not want cost to be a barrier to anyone in accessing this program. As such, we are encouraging each person to choose to contribute a one-time amount between $25 to $150 that feels comfortable for you based on your own personal income circumstances. If you have any questions, please contact us, we are happy to discuss any additional issues privately.

Are you at a tipping point, overwhelmed by the stress of our fast-paced lives?

Are you experiencing life events affecting your physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing?

Are you just looking for a way to get your life back into balance?

The good news is that you already have the resources you need to come back to health and wellbeing. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in Cancer Recovery training can help you reconnect to those inner resources. Even if you’ve never heard of mindfulness or have never meditated, MBSR can teach you these skills.

This interactive, experiential course runs for 9 weeks and includes:

  • Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices
  • Gentle stretching and mindful yoga
  • Small and large group discussions
  • Daily home practice assignments
  • A three-hour mini-retreat of uninterrupted practice on Saturday, October 26

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness. MBSR has over 25 years of peer-reviewed research covering a wide variety of physical and mental health issues. It is the most scientifically researched and validated mindfulness program and is used in clinical and non-clinical settings worldwide.

What are the benefits of MBSR?

Mindfulness is the practice of present moment, non-judgmental awareness of one’s life experience. Through the use of mind/body techniques, one begins to relate to the stress and anxiety in life differently in ways that allow for more creative solutions and possibilities.

It can help you:

  • Improve focus and concentration
  • Improve mind-body awareness
  • Reduce reactivity and increase calm
  • Support better behavioral choices and Improve the ability to handle the ups and downs of life
  • Feel kinder to yourself and others
  • Improve relationships
  • Experience more positive emotions
  • Start or restart a meditation practice

PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

Week

Date

Topic

1

9/19/24

Introduction and Orientation

2

9/26/24

Mindfulness

3

10/03/24

Mindfulness Attitudes

4

10/10/24

Mindy-Body Wisdom and Healing

5

10/17/24

Balance in the Autonomic Nervous System

6

10/24/24

Mindful Coping

RETREAT

10/26/24

Mini-Retreat: A Morning of…. Silence

7

10/31/24

Cultivating Beneficial States of Heart and Mind

8

11/07/24

Deepening and Expanding

9

11/14/24

Moving Into the World

About Phebe Duff

Phebe Duff is a long-time meditator and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) facilitator. She completed the Community Dharma Leader program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA and the Dharmacharya program offered by the Venerable Pannavati at Heartwood Refuge in Hendersonville, NC. Phebe has facilitated MBSR courses for a wide variety of populations since 2005. Since retiring after a 30+ year career in human resources and as a professional musician, Phebe has taught meditation and MBSR for Wellness House of Annapolis and Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. Working with the cancer community and sharing the practices of meditation and mindfulness to support their healing journey has been the best experience of her teaching career.

About Patricia Diaz

Certifications: MS, KYT-500 (Kripalu Yoga Teacher), RYT-500® (Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance), and Health Supportive Chef from The Natural Gourmet Institute

Provides: Yoga Basics, Dynamic Gentle Yoga, Intermediate Yoga and meditation instruction for group classes and private clients. Life and professional/executive coaching.

Patricia Diaz’s yoga journey began in 1989. During the most challenging time in her life, and with the help of friends, family and life mentors, she turned to yoga, plant-based diets, and other wellness techniques to manage her crisis and gently restore her health and wellness.

The lessons Patricia learned, and years of yoga practice led to an enthusiasm for well-being, and to a search for a depth of knowledge, that provided a compass for her life and career. In 2019, motivated by a desire to start sharing this knowledge with others, she completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. It also led her to pursue training in the plant-based chef program at the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City. She completed her 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2023 also at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.

Patricia’s teaching style reflects the influence of gurus and teachers that have come into her life. She is passionate about teaching the foundations of yoga to beginners and all … partly because she spent many years working on the basics, but also because she believes that anyone – no matter the physical challenge – can practice yoga. She loves to help others connect with their inner wisdom, and she believes that a genuine practice starts with a strong foundation honoring the principles of ‘ahimsa’ – first do no harm.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, please register by emailing Stephanie Stern at stephanie@hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Kara Woodshank

offered in partnership with:

During this talk, participants will explore ongoing strategies to define and use purpose. Through reflective writing practices, this interactive workshop will explore purpose, why purpose matters, and how to find and live with purpose.

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

Outside the Lines: A Creative Art Studio

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

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.

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

Outside the Lines: A Creative Art Studio

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

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.

This program is being hosted on Zoom. If you would like to attend, please register by using the RSVP button above or email olivia@smithcenter.org.

with artist & sculptor Liz Lescault

Painting in Community

Let’s get together and create!

Bring yourself and your favorite painting supplies. We will paint, listen to soothing music and share our creations. The session will start with introductions and individuals will share a little about what they are up to. There will be opportunities to ask questions and share during the session with 10 minutes left at the end of the session for sharing our progress.

Program Date: Monday, May 20th from 5:30-7:00pm EST

Registration will be closed at 8 participants.

Suggested Materials*:

  • Your favorite painting supplies

About Liz Lescault

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

https://www.lizlescault.com/home

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, please register by emailing Stephanie Stern at stephanie@hopeconnectionsforcancer.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Jessica Parker, M.A., CCC-SLP

offered in partnership with:

“Chemo Brain” is a term used to describe difficulties with word-finding and memory, often experienced during and after chemotherapy.

Jessica Parker, M.A., CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist. She will discuss the benefits of cognitive rehabilitation, and give you tips for making small changes to your daily routine that will have a big impact on your thinking skills and brain health.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking <here> or email olivia@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Ketty M Urbay

in partnership with Tigerlily Foundation

*Please note that by registering for this program, you consent to have your name and email shared with Tigerlily Foundation. Tigerlily only collects this information for data purposes and it will not be shared with any other parties.

Ketty’s desire to bring the healing and transformative power of music and dance into women’s lives has birthed her new community, Simply M The Movement. Ketty won’t stop until every woman’s heart is free to express the truest expression of who she is. Mind, body and soul. So let’s dance!

Dance and music can heal your mind, body and soul.  This is a 1 hour dance class set to a carefully curated musical playlist that will inspire and elevate.  Have fun following easy to learn dance steps and creative movement exercises that will spark your joy and creativity.  Every week is a new theme and a whole new set of moves to a variety of music.

Recommended audience:  Everyone who loves to dance and thinks they can’t do it! Everyone who loves to dance and wants to keep dancing in a fun and safe space!

Simply M the Movement is offered on weekly on Thursdays.

About Ketty M Urbay

Ketty M Urbay was born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida. Ketty has a double bachelors in Dance and Psychology from Florida International University. She facilitated movement and creative writing workshops for 15 years with at risk teenage girls through a program created by her Dance Professor Leslie Neal called ArtSpring.