Upcoming Classes for 2018
Regenerations: Cultivating Connections to Earth, Art and Activism
"Connecting in Nature: Stillness & Noticing"
With Molly Murfee and Ivy Walker
Crested Butte Center for the Arts
Saturday, August 4
9:00 am -4:00pm
Location: on the trails near Crested Butte, TBA
Cost: $120 per person
Register at www.crestedbuttearts.org
To regenerate means to bring into renewed existence, to replace that which is injured, and give it a new and more vigorous life. Absorb yourself into Nature. Be still. Reconnect. The Regenerations series is an active investigation of our relationships to Nature, community, creative expression and outreach through outdoor immersion, writing and visual art.
In this all- day backcountry excursion, this particular Regenerations session works with the specific theme of “Connecting in Nature: Stillness & Noticing.” Slow down. Tap in. And allow the modern world to fall away. Through silence, stillness and observation, reconnect to the deep resource of Nature and the roots of your relationship with it. Process what you find there through imaginative visual and written art exercises that allow your senses and the floodgates of creativity to open. Experiment with free flow writing, drawing and making art with the land. More about the Regenerations series can be found at www.earthartactivism.com.
Past offerings 2018
Regenerations: Cultivating Connections to Earth, Art and Activism
"Nature as Healer"
With Molly Murfee and Ivy Walker
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
Monday, July 9
8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: on the trails near Crested Butte, TBA
Cost: $ 75 per person
Register at www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com
In this all day backcountry excursion into the wildflowers, this particular Regenerations session works with the specific theme of “Nature as Healer: Finding the Regenerative Creative Resource.” Identify your personal “Nature as source” through investigating concepts of beauty, solace and appreciation. How does Nature support you? What does it have to teach you? Celebrate these sources through making art with the landscape, experimenting with free flow writing, wandering among details, senses and metaphor. Slow down, tap in, and allow the modern world to fall away. More about the Regenerations series can be found at www.earthartactivism.com.
Nature Writing and Environmental Literature
Summer Teachers Institute at Western State Colorado University
With Molly Murfee
June 11-13, 2018
Writers from the classics of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau to the contemporaries of Edward Abbey and Terry Tempest Williams have inspired and motivated the ways in which our culture defines and interacts with nature, the environment and the wild. This introduction to a selection of the classic and contemporary canon of nature writers and environmental literature revolves around the teaching methodologies of experiential education, student-centered learning and interdisciplinary studies. Learn how to incorporate the field experience and Nature Writing Portfolio into lesson plans to create a sense of connection and interest in the natural world. Use environmental literature and nature writing to explore traditional writing modalities from the descriptive and persuasive essay to poetry. Foster skills of creative writing, critical thinking, observation and research through this genre. Discover writing techniques of these authors, and how they used them to stir the emotions of their readers to both appreciation and action around the land. Over half of each class is conducted through field experiences in a variety of natural landscapes. Participants will have a bank of resources and inspiration at the end of the course, including new activities and approaches, ready to insert into a home classroom and landscape. Please note this course may be taken in addition to “Regenerations: Cultivating Connections to Earth, Art & Activism.” Subject matter is complementary, but does not duplicate in activities. As a portfolio is required for both courses, a reduction in the materials fee may be obtained for one
Regenerations: Cutivating Connections to Earth, Art & Activism
Summer Teachers Institute at Western State Colorado University
With Molly Murfee and Ivy Walker
June 20-23, 2018
To regenerate means to bring into renewed existence, to replace that which is injured, and give it a new and more vigorous life. This class is an active investigation of our relationships to nature, community, creative expression and outreach through outdoor immersion, writing and visual art. Based in methodologies of experiential education, student centered learning and interdisciplinary education, Regenerations utilizes the visual and written arts as mediums and tools for re-connecting with the natural world; identifying our individual and social spectrums of inspiration and fear; identifying local and global issues affecting our environment; and finding positive resolution through creative expression and activism. These all-day outdoor hiking experiences in a variety of natural settings explore the practices of stillness and noticing; journaling and brainstorming; and constructing temporal works of art in the landscape. Play with the inherent metaphor and symbolism found in Nature; sculpt with natural and introduced objects in the landscape; channel creative skills to express raw emotion; experiment with mixed media art making and word play. At the conclusion of the course, teachers have a treasure chest full of activities, resources, authors, contacts and a curriculum plan to activate in a home classroom and landscape.
Regenerations is conducted in partnership with Western State Colorado University and Coldharbour Institute.
Regenerations: Cultivating Connections to Earth, Art and Activism
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
With Molly Murfee and Ivy Walker
Monday, July 9
8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: on the trails near Crested Butte, TBA
Cost: $ TBA
Register at www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com beginning April 2, 2018
In this all day backcountry excursion into the wildflowers, this particular Regenerations session works with the specific theme of “Nature as Healer: Finding the Regenerative Creative Resource.” Identify your personal “Nature as source” through investigating concepts of beauty, solace and appreciation. How does Nature support you? What does it have to teach you? Celebrate these sources through making art with the landscape, experimenting with free flow writing, wandering among details, senses and metaphor. Slow down, tap in, and allow the modern world to fall away. More about the Regenerations series can be found at www.earthartactivism.com.
Logistics:
Required Equipment:
Basic equipment includes journal and writing utensil. Backpack with day hiking gear should include: 2 quarts of water; trail snacks; hiking clothes such as flexible, quick dry shorts or pants and short sleeve shirts; sturdy close-toe hiking boots or shoes; rain pants and jacket; warm layers such as fleece; visor or sun hat; warm, lightweight hat and gloves; sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen. A complete equipment list will be given upon registration. Art supplies for individual session are supplied. If you would like additional materials for the final expression you may purchase those at your own cost.
Physical Ability:
Moderate hiking ability required with ability to climb up to 700 - 1,000 feet of elevation gain and loss; ability to sit / stand / and walk on and off trail for six hours. A typical day includes hiking in for up to two hours with activities along the way, staying still in place for activities during the middle portion of the session, then hiking out.
Session Location & Transportation:
The wilderness setting for each session will be specifically selected based on conditions of flora, fauna, weather and habitat. Participants will be given the meeting place and hike location closer to the time of each session.
We would love to create a custom workshop or retreat for your nonprofit board, business or group friends including creative, nature-connected dialogues and exercises. Contact us for a conversation about the possibilities.
Required Equipment:
Basic equipment includes journal and writing utensil. Backpack with day hiking gear should include: 2 quarts of water; trail snacks; hiking clothes such as flexible, quick dry shorts or pants and short sleeve shirts; sturdy close-toe hiking boots or shoes; rain pants and jacket; warm layers such as fleece; visor or sun hat; warm, lightweight hat and gloves; sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen. A complete equipment list will be given upon registration. Art supplies for individual session are supplied. If you would like additional materials for the final expression you may purchase those at your own cost.
Physical Ability:
Moderate hiking ability required with ability to climb up to 700 - 1,000 feet of elevation gain and loss; ability to sit / stand / and walk on and off trail for six hours. A typical day includes hiking in for up to two hours with activities along the way, staying still in place for activities during the middle portion of the session, then hiking out.
Session Location & Transportation:
The wilderness setting for each session will be specifically selected based on conditions of flora, fauna, weather and habitat. Participants will be given the meeting place and hike location closer to the time of each session.
We would love to create a custom workshop or retreat for your nonprofit board, business or group friends including creative, nature-connected dialogues and exercises. Contact us for a conversation about the possibilities.