Arts & Spirituality Retreat Day 2

Friday, February 3
5:30 p.m.             Registration and Refreshments
6:15 p.m.             Welcome Performance
6:45 p.m.            Dinner/Fellowship Catered by Linda Wayman Cooks! and the AHCC ASR Retreat Kitchen Team
7:30 p.m.            Building Community through Creativity with David D.J. Rau
8:30 p.m.            Closing

Saturday, February 4
8:30 a.m.            Coffee and Fellowship
9:00 a.m.            Welcome and Details
9:10 a.m.            Community Building Activity
10:00 a.m.          ARTS EXPERIENCE I (livestream and in person – see descriptions)
11:45 a.m.           Lunch and Fellowship Catered by Linda Wayman Cooks! and the AHCC ASR Retreat Kitchen Team
12:30 p.m.          Performance
1:15 p.m.             ARTS EXPERIENCE II (livestream and in person – see descriptions)
2:45 p.m.            ARTS EXPERIENCE III (livestream and in person – see descriptions)
4:15 p.m.             Building Community through Worship and Celebration

Arts Experience Options – Session I 

Gentle Chair Yoga During this session, you will learn to feel into your body with your breath in a non-judgmental way, by moving with the rhythm of your breath, and pausing to notice what you feel. By engaging in this simple practice, you may find layers and layers of stress letting go, uncovering the limitless creativity within. No special clothes or equipment necessary. Available to all. Beginners especially welcome. Facilitated by Cynthia Wolcott, Certified Yoga Instructor and Life and Well-Being Coach 

Mangia! Want to learn how to make that popular restaurant dish?  Well, you can! You will learn how to make Penne Alla Vodka with Shrimp. This includes how to make al dente pasta, fresh tomato sauce, and the best way to cook shrimp for any recipe. You will take home the recipe, learn some restaurant tips, and of course, taste the finished product. Mangia! Facilitated by Linda Wayman, self-taught kitchen cook, caterer, instructor, cookbook author, and down-to-earth foodie  

Quilting Explore the basics of quilting using pre-cut and packaged materials to create a charming potholder or hot mat. Attendees will have the opportunity to see and use equipment necessary for quilting projects. Facilitated by Barbara Matthews, founder and coordinator of the AHCC Hill Quilters, and textile artist

Tree Song Inspired by the artist Jeanne Carbonetti and her book, “The Tao of Watercolor,” we will create a piece that will sing out the beauty of trees. With just a brush, three watercolor paints, a good piece of watercolor paper, and some water, we’ll watch gorgeous wet color shapes coalesce into a dreamlike treescape. No painting or drawing experience necessary. Facilitated by Jane Carroll, watercolor artist, and teacher 

(Livestream and In Person) Van Gogh Inspired Printmaking Ready! Set! Print like van Gogh! Participants will choose from a selection of famous paintings by Vincent van Gogh and copy their version onto a thin sheet of Styrofoam. The sheet will then be inked, and the image printed on colorful paper. Several combinations of ink and paper can be completed in this fun and informative class. All levels of welcome. Facilitated byJulie Garvin Riggs, Manager of Youth Education and Outreach, Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, CT, and artist  

Arts Experience Options – Session II

Found Poetry … YOU are the Finder! Have you wanted to write poetry but been challenged to find the words? Here’s your chance to create a “found poem” using words, phrases, or quotations chosen and rearranged from established text. This process involves circling or highlighting words, phrases, or sentences on a random page of a book. A poem emerges, hidden among the text of a novel, giving new meaning to the words! Old books provided or you may bring a book of your choice. Facilitated by Janet Bristow, mixed media artist, knitter of shawls, workshop leader, co-author of The Prayer Shawl Companion series 

Quilting Explore the basics of quilting using pre-cut and packaged materials to create a charming potholder or hot mat. Attendees will have the opportunity to see and use equipment necessary for these quilting projects. Facilitated by Barbara Matthews, founder and coordinator of the AHCC Hill Quilters, and textile artist

Once Upon a Time – A Journey into Memoir Writing Every life has stories – and yours are waiting to be told. Maybe you’ve wanted to tell your stories but didn’t know where to begin. Or maybe you want to explore and share the stories you’ve already written. In this workshop, your stories will unfold through a series of writing prompts, techniques, reflection, and shared discussions in a safe environment. Writing materials are provided; however, laptops and iPads are welcome. Facilitated by Mary Louise deManbey, professional writer, musician, and teacher 

(Livestream and In Person) Woven Paper Collages Under, over, under, over … et voila … ART! Working with a wide selection of beautiful paper strips, participants will weave together several beautiful, serendipitous compositions. The finished creations can be mounted and framed as well as attached to blank notecards with envelopes. Facilitated by David D.J. Rau, Director of Education and Outreach Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, CT, and artist 

Arts Experience Options – Session III 

Bells Are Ringing The Handbell Choir at AHCC is an important addition to worship throughout the year and offers heavenly musical experiences. Participants learn the basic techniques of top-notch ringing and how to blend in with a joyful sounding ensemble. Ringers will share their new bell skills at the end of the retreat. Facilitated by Mike Comeau: musician, ringer, teacher 

Mangia! Want to learn how to make that popular restaurant dish?  Well, you can! You will learn how to make Penne Alla Vodka with Shrimp. This includes how to make al dente pasta, fresh tomato sauce, and the best way to cook shrimp for any recipe. You will take home the recipe, learn some restaurant tips, and of course, taste the finished product. Mangia! Facilitated by Linda Wayman, self-taught kitchen cook, caterer, instructor, cookbook author, and down-to-earth foodie 

Tree Song Inspired by the artist Jeanne Carbonetti and her book, “The Tao of Watercolor,” we will create a piece that will sing out the beauty of trees. With just a brush, three watercolor paints, a good piece of watercolor paper, and some water, we’ll watch gorgeous wet color shapes coalesce into a dreamlike treescape. No painting or drawing experience necessary. Facilitated by Jane Carroll, watercolor artist, and teacher 

(Livestream and In Person) Gentle Chair Yoga During this session, you will learn to feel into your body with your breath in a non-judgmental way, by moving with the rhythm of your breath, and pausing to notice what you feel. By engaging in this simple practice, you may find layers and layers of stress letting go, uncovering the limitless creativity within. No special clothes or equipment necessary. Available to all. Beginners especially welcome. Facilitated by Cynthia Wolcott, Certified Yoga Instructor and Life and Well-Being Coach