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 Kathleen O’Toole
Writing Through the Seasons
Harvesting the Fullness of Summer
Among the Cross Quarter Days in the old Celtic Calendar is Lammas or the Feast of the First Fruits, celebrated in Ireland and England on August 2. For those of us not reared in rural areas, we are caught in the mixed emotions of enjoying the pleasures of summer fruitfulness − corn and tomatoes, road trips to nearby shores and mountains or more exotic locations. Yet we’re aware of the lessening of the light, the passing of time and the certainty in nature and our hearts of all we’re about to let go of.
With this in mind, in our time together, we will explore short poems, seasonal images and writing practices that allow us to breathe in what is nourishing to us this time of year, and harvest in our own hearts the connections we feel to what is happening in the natural world. Participants who sign up early may get the benefit of a few poetic teasers and some images to turn over the soil in preparation for our writing time together!
Find a comfy chair or a window seat and bring writing material.
Kathleen O’Toole is a poet whose work with haiku and other short poetic forms is deeply rooted in attention to the natural world. These three workshops will guide participants through poetry forms and writing practices that invite us to explore the ways season changes bring special opportunities for healing and creativity. The ancient Celts celebrated cross-quarter days as moments of magic and openings to spirit and ritual; we’ll mark our own seasonal awareness.
Writing Through the Seasons: The Healing Power of Nature will be offered as a program series, spread over the seasons, beginning in Fall 2021.
Program Dates:
- Saturday, August 6th, 10-11:30am EST – POSTPONED
Suggested Donation: $10/session or $25/series
About Kathleen O’Toole
Takoma Park Poet Laureate Kathleen O’Toole is the author of 4 books of poetry (find her at https://kathleenotoolepoetry.com). She has taught writing at Johns Hopkins University and the Maryland Institute College of Art. As evident in her longer work, she often seeks inspiration and consolation in nature. For more than thirty years she has been writing haiku as a spiritual practice of attention, and to deepen her experience of the natural world.
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 Susi Wyss
Led by a therapeutic writing facilitator, this session is designed for self-care and taking time out to tap into the healing benefits of writing. Join us for a session that includes a brief meditation, writing prompts, and creative exercises in a playful and supportive environment. No writing experience necessary, just an open mind!
Suggested Materials:
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Favorite pen
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Unlined paper or journal to write on
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Plain paper
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Your favorite art materials (anything will do, including pencil or pen)
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A candle and matches
Suggested Donation: $10
About Susi Wyss
Susi Wyss is a public health professional, author, therapeutic writing facilitator and—most of all—a believer in the healing power of words. Her public health career has spanned more than 25 years, mostly addressing women’s health in Africa. She is the author of The Civilized World, a novel set in Africa that was named “A Book to Pick Up Now” by Oprah Magazine. In addition to her collaboration with the Smith Center, she has led writing-for-healing workshops at the DC Rape Crisis Center and Crossings Healing & Wellness.
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 Susi Wyss
Led by a therapeutic writing facilitator, this session is designed for self-care and taking time out to tap into the healing benefits of writing. Join us for a session that includes a brief meditation, writing prompts, and creative exercises in a playful and supportive environment. No writing experience necessary, just an open mind!
Suggested Materials:
- 2 sheets plain unlined paper
- favorite writing pen
- Art/drawing material such as oil pastels, colored markers, pastels, colored pencils or crayons
- Pair of scissors
- scotch tape
Suggested Donation: $10
About Susi Wyss
Susi Wyss is a public health professional, author, therapeutic writing facilitator and—most of all—a believer in the healing power of words. Her public health career has spanned more than 25 years, mostly addressing women’s health in Africa. She is the author of The Civilized World, a novel set in Africa that was named “A Book to Pick Up Now” by Oprah Magazine. In addition to her collaboration with the Smith Center, she has led writing-for-healing workshops at the DC Rape Crisis Center and Crossings Healing & Wellness.
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 carla@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Theresa Walker
Writing doesn’t have to be a lonely pursuit. Grab your cup of coffee or tea and pen and notebook (or laptop, iPad) and join fellow writers for a meeting of Pen Pals.
The facilitator will offer writing prompts on the topic of “Celebrating My Life.” We will focus on strengths we have gained through the challenges we have faced in our lives.
There will be time for personal writing, discussion, laughter, and kind responses. No critiquing, just writing and support.
Suggested Donation: $10
About Theresa Walker
Theresa Walker is a registered SoulCollage® facilitator and has led groups since 2011. She is a certified expressive arts facilitator, trained at Salve Regina University in writing and visual arts, and she is a graduate of Shalem’s Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups program.
This program has been postponed. Please check back for a future date.
with Kathleen O’Toole
Writing Through the Seasons
Breathe in All That’s Blooming
Just after Mayday (Beltane in the Celtic world), we’ll gather in words and verse the hues, fragrances and shapes of all that is blooming and coming to life in the world around us. A great time to capture the lengthening days and the increased activity of birds, insects, and other creatures, and play with words and images in ways that allow our hearts to sing. Sketchbooks and notebooks, recent walks or favorite flowers & images are great resources.
Find a comfy chair or a window seat and bring writing material.
Kathleen O’Toole is a poet whose work with haiku and other short poetic forms is deeply rooted in attention to the natural world. These three workshops will guide participants through poetry forms and writing practices that invite us to explore the ways season changes bring special opportunities for healing and creativity. The ancient Celts celebrated cross-quarter days as moments of magic and openings to spirit and ritual; we’ll mark our own seasonal awareness.
Writing Through the Seasons: The Healing Power of Nature will be offered as a program series, spread over the seasons, beginning in Fall 2021.
Program Dates:
- Saturday, May 14th, 10:00-11:30am ET
Suggested Donation: $10/session or $25/series
About Kathleen O’Toole
Takoma Park Poet Laureate Kathleen O’Toole is the author of 4 books of poetry (find her at https://kathleenotoolepoetry.com). She has taught writing at Johns Hopkins University and the Maryland Institute College of Art. As evident in her longer work, she often seeks inspiration and consolation in nature. For more than thirty years she has been writing haiku as a spiritual practice of attention, and to deepen her experience of the natural world.
PART 4/4. This program series is being offered virtually through Zoom. If you missed the first sessions, please email carla@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Jodi Kanter, PhD
Body image may shift in cancer patients due to the presence of a tumor, breast asymmetry and size related to treatment and surgical intervention, changes in weight, or alterations of the skin. “Your Body’s Story” is a place to explore your relationship with your body in the past, present and future.
Our exploration will utilize a variety of creative media: improvisational movement, improvisational conversation, writing, and visual art.
Our goal will be to achieve a more integrated sense of our somatic experiences as they have changed and will continue to change throughout cancer survivorship.
Most research into trauma-informed approaches to wellness suggests that processing the trauma is central to healing. Expressive arts therapies provide aesthetic distance from trauma, even as they encourage representation of the trauma.
In particular, drama therapy allows us to intervene in our traumatic experiences in ways that were impossible at the time of its occurrence. Drama therapy also enables us to actively project into and thereby shape our experience of trauma moving forward.
Your Body’s Story is open to female-identifying cancer patients and survivors at any stage in their journey. The series will be offered as a 4-part program series on:
- Fridays, April 1, 8, 22 & 29, 2022, 1:00 – 3:00pm EST
Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions. Please let us know in advance if you are unable to attend all sessions.
Suggested Donation: $10/session or $35/series
About Jodi Kanter
Jodi has been involved in theater since she was ten years old. She grew up acting and studying performance in American theater’s “Second City,” Chicago Illinois. She is currently a professor of theatre in the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at George Washington University, where she has been on faculty for nearly fifteen years. Her academic work in theater includes her book, Performing Loss: Strengthening Communities Through Theatre and Writing (2007). Jodi’s focus on performance as a tool for individual and social healing and change has led her to create workshops, events and productions in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, schools, and prisons. Most recently, she co-created a four-month diversity and inclusion program for members of DC’s fourteen Neighborhood Village associations using the methodology of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed. Jodi holds a PhD. in Performance Studies from Northwestern University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in dramatherapy at Lesley University.
