Contemplative Arts Festival of Saskatoon
Workshops
2024 Festival Events
Donna Aldous
T’ai Chi Chih with Donna Aldous
Donna Aldous offered four T’ai Chi Chih classes during the 2024 Festival.
T’ai Chi Chih is a moving meditation with far reaching benefits. It has been described as Joy Through Movement. It is not exercise and yet it is one of the best exercises you can do. The 19 movements and 1 pose circulate and balance the body’s Chi (energy). With the accumulation of CHI (Vital Force) through T’ai Chi Chih practice, permanent changes in the metabolism and the thinking process take place, and the renewed energy conditions the whole way of life. As changes occur, we get in touch with ourselves, and the world we see begins to change. Joy becomes our natural heritage. I hope you will join my class during the festival. No special clothing or shoes are required. Be comfortable. Bring water and an inquisitive mind.
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”. Through T’ai Chi Chih the great adventure unfolds daily as we do our practice and discover answers to questions that have long been held, gently in trust, deep within our being. Let the journey begin.
T’ai Chi Chih classes:
Location: Nursery room. Cost $10 per class.
Limit of 16 participants per class.
Friday May 24th, 2024 at 11:00-12:00,
Registration is closed
Friday May 24th, 2024 from 4:00-5:00 pm,
Registration is closed.
Saturday May 25th, 2024 at 11:00-12:00,
Registration is closed.
Saturday May 25th, 2024 from 3:30-4:30 pm
Registration is closed.
Read more about Donna Aldous at Artists.
photo by lilartsy on Unsplash
Writing with Belinda Betker:
Contemplating Your Writing Life
Belinda Betker from the Saskatchewan Writers Guild offered a creative writing workshop at the 2024 Festival.
Writing is by its very nature a creative and productive form of expression, and the act of writing, whether on a page or a screen, can be a journey of connection to ourselves and others. We journal for self-awareness and to chronicle our lives. We write emails and essays to share ideas, experiences, and information with others. We write to-do lists and ‘notes to self’. We write to reveal life stories and family histories. We might write poems, short stories, memoirs, or novels – the list of things to write is endless.
In 2024, Belinda’s interactive workshop focused on releasing your creative writing self through a range of inspiring writing prompts and fun exercises.
Everyone was welcome, from beginners to everyday writers. Please bring your own preferred writing tools – pens or pencils, writing pads or journals, tablet or laptop, or even your phone.
Contemplating Your Writing Life
with Belinda Betker
Friday May 24th, 2024 from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.
Location: Nursery Room, cost $10.
Limit of 12 participants.
Registration is closed.
Read about Belinda Betker on the Artists page.
Songwriting Workshop with Coco Love Alcorn
Coco Love Alcorn with a circle of singers.
Coco Love Alcorn shared ideas about aspects of creativity and what it means to be vulnerable and share something meaningful. The group co-created a chorus and then everyone had an opportunity to contemplate what they might like to express, writing their own verse or poem or melody that relates to our shared chorus. Then we came back together for a sharing circle, sharing our verses and singing our awesome chorus many times. Coco facilitated a discussion about song craft at the end.
Songwriting Workshop with Coco Love Alcorn
Saturday May 25, 2024, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Cost $10. Limit of 12 participants.
Registration is closed.
Read about Coco Love Alcorn at Artist in Residence.
Coco Love Alcorn directing a choir.
Joyful Singing Workshop with Coco Love Alcorn
Let’s sing! Let’s get creative and play!
A soulful, joyful singing workshop with Coco Love Alcorn.
In this workshop at the 2024 Festival, Coco led participants through some simple call and response singing, some harmonies and rhythms, and also tickled our playful sides through wee forays into the world of vocal improvisation.
No experience needed.
Community Singing Workshop
Friday May 24, 2024, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Free - registration is closed.
Read about Coco Love Alcorn at Artist in Residence.
Many Festival goers attended Coco’s full concert,
Coco Love Alcorn in Concert on
Sunday May 26th, 2024 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Ticket sales are closed.
Painting: Tulips by Doris Hasell
Acrylic Painting with Doris Hasell
Doris Hasell from the Grosvenor Artists offered a workshop from contemplation to achievement in creating an acrylic painting. Participants explored the supplies, tools and considerations in making an acrylic painting.
Painting with Doris Hasell
Saturday May 25th, 2024, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Any age over 10 years, all supplies provided.
Location: Schnell Hall.
Cost $10 per participant, 20 spaces.
Registration is closed.
Read about Doris Hasell at Artists.
Birch Bark Basket, by Lyndon J Linklater.
Birch Bark Baskets with Lyndon J Linklater
Lyndon J Linklater is a traditional Knowledge Keeper from Thunderchild Cree Nation in Treaty Six territory. He offered two Birchbark Basket Workshops at the 2024 Festival. Lyndon says, “Birch bark basket making is very soothing for the soul. Time seems to pass and it is also very healing. Along with the basket making, storytelling and teachings were shared.”
Location: Schnell Hall, cost $10 per person.
All materials supplied.
Limit of 18 participants in each session.
Birch Bark Baskets with Lyndon J Linklater:
Saturday May 25th, 2024, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Registration is closed.
Sunday May 26th, 2024, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Registration is closed.
Read more about Lyndon J Linklater on the Artists page.
Lyndon J LInklater at the Contemplative Arts Festival in 2023. Photo: Matt Smith.
Storytelling in the Tipi with Lyndon J Linklater
Lyndon J Linklater is a traditional Knowledge Keeper from Thunderchild Cree Nation in Treaty Six territory. He has roots in Couchiching First Nation in Treaty 3.
Lyndon raised a traditional tipi on the lawn on Thursday May 23rd, 2024.
Lyndon shared traditional Storytelling in the tipi.
Friday May 24th, 2024, 1:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Free drop-in.
Friday May 24th, 2024, 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
Free drop-in.
Space was limited by the tipi capacity.
In case of a storm, the session could be held indoors.
Read more about Lyndon J Linklater on the Artists page.
Cooking: photo by Gareth Hubbard on Unsplash
Contemplative Cooking with dee Hobsbawn-Smith
Contemplative Cooking workshop
with dee Hobsbawn-Smith:
It’s true that we must eat daily. This makes it easy for food to slip into the “time-crunch” trap of grabbing whatever is on hand to simply stoke the engine. It’s true that busy lives and demands on our time necessitate shortcuts. But even in our busiest times, we can make the most of workarounds, or hacks, or advance planning, to ease the pressure and restore eating to a pleasure. So too can adopting an attitude of gratitude.
Cooking can be a thoughtful process, where the repetitive movement of the hands allows the mind to contemplate and consider. In this hands-on class with long-time Slow Food advocate, poet, and chef dee Hobsbawn-Smith, participants worked in teams under dee’s thoughtful guidance as we made lunch to share. Along the way we learned some centering, calming, contemplative ways to approach cooking that can ease the strain of everyday meals.
Saturday May 25th, 2024, from 10:00 to 1:00 pm
Limit of 16 participants, in Schnell Kitchen.
All food and equipment supplied. Cost $10 per person.
Registration is closed.
Read about dee Hobsbawn-Smith at Artists.
Maria Linklater, speaking, with her son Lyndon Linklater.
Traditional Dolls with Maria Linklater
Maria Linklater - Elder
Presentation on Making dolls for children
It was an honour to welcome Elder Maria Linklater to speak at the 2024 Contemplative Arts Festival. A long-standing and highly regarded cultural leader and mentor in Saskatoon, Maria Linklater was born at the Thunderchild First Nation. She was raised by her grandmother until the age of seven, when she was forced to attend residential school. Maria has dedicated much of her life to child welfare. She was employed by many social service agencies, and lovingly cared for over 350 foster children, many with FAS Disorder. Along with her late husband Walter Linklater, Maria offered each of these children a safe place, a loving environment, and one that supported pride in their cultural identity.
Maria Linklater spoke about making dolls for First Nations children, and brought some of these dolls and materials to show at the Festival. Growing up, Maria noticed the only kinds of dolls available for children were “Barbie” dolls and others that were pink in skin colour. Many years ago, she decided to hand make some dolls that were more culturally appropriate and relevant. She calls them “Kohkom and Moshum” dolls.
Saturday May 25th, 2024, 10:30 am to 12:00 noon.
Location: Sanctuary.
Free - registration is closed.
Slow tea - photo Matt Smith
Slow Tea with Nobuko Iwai
Nobuko Iwai hosted three Slow Tea times at the 2024 Contemplative Arts Festival, inviting participants to take time to contemplate and reflect on the sensory experience, feelings and memories it may evoke. Jasmine tea was served.
Tea drinking and conversation lasted for 30 to 45 minutes.
Slow Tea with Nobuko Iwai:
Location: the McFaull Reading Room.
Cost $5. Limit of 6 participants.
Friday May 24th, 2024, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Registration is closed.
Saturday May 25th, 2024, 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Registration is closed.
Sunday May 26th, 4:00 to 5:00 pm
Registration is closed.
Read about Nobuko Iwai at Artists.
Bird Bath sculpture by Zoltan Markan.
Sculpture Workshop: Mixed Media with Zoltan Markan
Zoltan Markan, a member of the Prairie Sculptors Association,
led a Mixed Media Sculpture Workshop on
Saturday May 25th, 2024.
In an age of environmental awareness, what better way to create art than from recovered, recycled materials. In this workshop, a plethora of small found objects were provided from which participants created small sculptures and contemplated the beauty that can be drawn out of what otherwise might be considered garbage.
Mixed Media Sculpture Workshop:
Saturday May 25th, 2024, from 1:00 to 2:45 pm.
All equipment and materials supplied.
Cost $10 per person, limit of 12 participants.
Registration is closed.
Read about Zoltan Markan and the Prairie Sculptors Association at Artists.
Jumpin Juniper wood carving by Lee Fuller.
Sculpture Workshop: Wire sculpture with Lee Fuller
Lee Fuller, a member of the Prairie Sculptors Association,
led a Wire Sculpture Workshop on
Saturday May 25th, 2024.
Wire sculpture is a simple and inexpensive introduction to sculpture. Easily learned techniques can result in images that move, express an emotion, and bring a smile to the viewer’s face. All equipment and materials supplied.
Wire Sculpture Workshop:
Saturday May 25th, 2024, from 3:15 to 5:00 pm.
Cost $10. Limit of 12 participants.
Registration is closed.
Read about Lee Fuller and the Prairie Sculptors Association at Artists.
Marisa Merasty-Buffalo
with Parker Longjohn
Beading Workshop with Marisa Merasty-Buffalo
Marisa Merasty-Buffalo, a member of Flying Dust First Nation, led a Lanyard Beading Workshop on Sunday May 26th, 2024.
To begin in a good way, the beading workshop opened with a song by Parker Longjohn. Participants met one another and then learned about why beading is such an important part of Indigenous culture. After being introduced to the materials and tools used to create a lanyard, each person spent the afternoon creating one, with ongoing instruction from Marisa. To end our time together, Parker offered a closing song.
Lanyard Beading Workshop:
Sunday May 26th, 2024, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
Beads and materials to create a lanyard supplied.
Cost $10. Limit of 10 participants.
Registration is closed.
Read more about Marisa at Artists.
Photos by Glenn Kurmey
Glenn Kurmey says, “Contemplative photography gives us the opportunity to use our senses. It is not just a photograph as a flat image. We can turn the flat photograph into a multi sense experience. (Quantum physics.)”
Participants came prepared to walk outdoors and photograph your personal images using your camera, phone, tablet, etc. We gathered for a 10 minute introduction, followed by a 40 minute walk, returning to the gathering point for a 10 minute sharing. (More sharing time can be arranged if the participants desire.)
Contemplative Photography Walk:
Saturday May 25th, 2024 at 1:30 to 3:00 pm.
After meeting up in the church lobby, the group went for a walk in the neighbourhood to look for interesting photographic subjects, experimenting with angles, lighting, framing and more to express something unique in that moment.
Free - Registration is closed.
Read more about Glenn Kurmey at Artists.
Contemplative Photography with Glenn Kurmey
Neurographic art by Phyllis Baker
Phyllis Baker offered two Neurographic Art Workshops
at the 2024 Contemplative Arts Festival.
Participants were invited to experience a time of quiet mindfulness as you work with line and colour to create a work of art. Your intuition is your guide. Neurographic art can range from a simple doodle on a scrap of paper to a fully realized piece of art. A willingness to slow down and pay close attention to what is happening as you draw are the only requirements for this session.
Materials provided.
Cost $10 per person, limit of 12 participants.
Neurographic Art Workshops with Phyllis Baker:
Friday May 24th, 2024, 10:30 am to 12:00 noon.
Registration is closed.
Friday May 24th, 2024, 3:30 to 5:00 pm.
Registration is closed.
Read more about Phyllis Baker at Artists.
Neurographic Art: Basics
with Phyllis Baker
Shawn Sanford Beck
Eco-Spirituality with Shawn Sanford Beck
Three Seeds of Ecological Spirituality
At the 2024 Festival, Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck explored the “three seeds” of Christian Animism, Green Priestcraft, and Kything, in a time of shared reflection and gentle spiritual practice. For many, these were entirely new concepts and forms of spirituality, each of which has the potential to deepen our relationship with the living Earth, and all the more-than-human neighbours with whom we share this precious life. As these seeds spring to life within the soil of your soul, you may find yourself on the journey of becoming a chaplain to creation!
Eco-spirituality Workshop:
Friday May 24th, 2024, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Location: Sanctuary
Free - registration is closed.
Read more about Shawn Sanford Beck at Artists.
Runes, Roots and Reconciliation,
with Darcy Blahut and
Shawn Sanford Beck.
In 2024, Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck and Darcy Blahut gave a reading and exploration of their new book A Prairie Rune. The co-authors shared reflections on the writing process as a contemplative journey through land, culture, spirituality, and language itself. Signed books were available for purchase after the workshop.
Runes, Roots, and Reconciliation
Sunday May 26th, 2024, 3:00 to 4:00 pm
Location: Sanctuary
Free - registration is closed.
Read more about Shawn Sanford Beck at Artists.
Designs silhouetted on a t-shirt:
Grasses, leaves, feathers.
Contemplative T-Shirt Workshop with Rhonda Gallant-Morari
Rhonda Gallant-Morari led participants in 2024 to create designs on a t-shirt (front and/or back) that reflects your connection to the natural world. Using stencils, objects and gathered natural materials, we created designs, then used the technique of bleach misting to leave the desired effect. We started with some poetry and readings, and we were invited to examine our own connection to the land, the flora and fauna. Participants were encouraged to go on a short, silent walk nearby. While on our path we collected natural items or anything of interest to be used on our shirt. There were other items available to use as well (eg. stencils, letter stencils, insect shapes, feathers, leaves, rocks.)
Participants were asked to bring a pre-washed, darker & solidly coloured t-shirt made from cotton or one with a high cotton count. Synthetics and polyester shirts won’t work with this technique. Everything else was provided. (Bring your own protective gloves just in case you have a sensitivity to the ones we will provide.) Bring a plastic bag as your shirt will be wet or damp when done. After this workshop participants had created a meaningfully designed shirt that will bring fond memories for a long time. We also receive an instruction sheet to create more designs of our own in the future.
This activity was held outside.
Limited to ten participants. Cost $10.
Contemplative T-Shirt Workshop,
Sunday May 26th, 2024, from 2:30 to 5:00 pm.
Registration is closed.
Read more about Rhonda Gallant-Morari at Artists.
Cultivating Joy - watercolour by Shelly Manley-Tannis
JOY! Session
with Shelly Manley-Tannis
JOY! Session
In this 2.5 hour workshop (really a ‘playshop’) Shelly Manley-Tannis invited participants to look at definitions of JOY, how we might be called to it by our Creator, and how to practice it. We did this through ritual and creative process such as journaling, and art-making. Moments for play and laughter were part of our time together as well. Our resources included poems, books, articles, music and TED Talks and other videos, as we aim to offer an experience for different learning styles and even different parts of ourselves. This session was a repeat from the 2023 Contemplative Arts Festival, with a few new aspects.
The goal is not just to create joy for ourselves but, as the Archbishop Desmond Tutu poetically phrased it, ‘to be a reservoir of joy, an oasis of peace, a pool of serenity that can ripple out to all those around you.’ As we will see, joy is in fact quite contagious.
- The Book of Joy
JOY! Session:
Friday May 24th, 2024, 12:30 to 3:00 pm
Blue Room, cost $10. Limit of 10 participants.
Registration is closed.
Read more about Shelly Manley-Tannis at Artists.
Shelly Manley-Tannis
Cards of encouragement
Cards of Encouragement with Shelly Manley-Tannis
Cards of Encouragement and Affirmation:
Often we are our own loudest critic, and sometimes we need reminders that we are wonderful, unique creations. In this 2 ½ hour session, participants had the opportunity to make some reminders: a few cards (post-card type) with quotes and colour, either for themselves or perhaps a friend who needs encouragement.
We used a combination of collage, stamping, drawing, hand-writing and/or painting – whatever comes to mind – no previous experience necessary!
Imagine the message you (or a friend) might need to hear and make it concrete:
'you are amazing and kind'
'you got this'
'you are creative'
‘you are beloved'
‘you are unique’.
Cards of Encouragement & Affirmation
Saturday May 25th, 2024, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Schnell Hall.
Cost $10, limit of 12 participants.
Registration is closed.
Read more about Shelly Manley-Tannis at Artists.
Brenda Baker, photo by George Charpentier
Creative Living: A Conversation with Brenda Baker
Living a creative life is intrinsically related to living a more contemplative life. This 2024 workshop was for those who struggle to connect with their inner artist - the part of them that says “I want more from life, but I don’t know what or how to get there.” Writer and performer Brenda Baker has been on a creative journey all her life, and she offered two hours of stories and conversation about what it’s meant for her to follow a more creative, contemplative path. Her hope was to inspire participants to take actions that will move them towards their own creative goals.
Creative Living: A Conversation
with Brenda Baker
Sunday May 26th, 2024, 2:30 to 4:30 pm
Location - Nursery Room.
Cost $10, limit of 12 participants.
Registration is closed.
Read more about Brenda Baker at Artists.