Contemplative Arts Festival of Saskatoon
Workshops
Donna Aldous
T’ai Chi Chih with Donna Aldous
Donna Aldous will offer four T’ai Chi Chih classes during the 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 at 11:00-12:00,
Register for Session #1.
Friday May 24th from 4:00-5:00 pm,
Register for Session #2.
Saturday May 25th at 11:00-12:00,
Register for Session #3.
Saturday May 25th from 3:30-4:30 pm
Register for Session #4.
Read more about Donna Aldous at Artists.
photo by lilartsy on Unsplash
Writing with Belinda Betker:
Contemplating Your Writing Life
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.
Today’s interactive workshop will focus on releasing your creative writing self through a range of inspiring writing prompts and fun exercises.
Everyone is 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 from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.
Location: Nursery Room, cost $10.
Limit of 12 participants.
Register for Writing with Belinda Betker.
Read about Belinda Betker on the Artists page.
Songwriting Workshop with Coco Love Alcorn
Coco Love Alcorn with a circle of singers.
Coco will share ideas about aspects of creativity and what it means to be vulnerable and share something meaningful. The group will co-create a chorus and then everyone will have 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 will come back together for a sharing circle, sharing our verses and singing our awesome chorus many times. If time permits, Coco will facilitate a discussion about song craft at the end.
Songwriting Workshop with Coco Love Alcorn
Saturday May 25, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Cost $10. Limit of 12 participants.
Register for Songwriting with Coco
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, Coco will lead us through some simple call and response singing, some harmonies and rhythms, and also tickle our playful sides by wee forays into the world of vocal improvisation.
All are welcome, no experience needed.
Community Singing Workshop
Friday May 24, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Free admission - no need to register in advance.
Read about Coco Love Alcorn at Artist in Residence.
Participants may also wish to attend
Coco Love Alcorn in Concert on
Sunday May 26th from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Tickets on sale now at Eventbrite.
Painting: Tulips by Doris Hasell
Acrylic Painting with Doris Hasell
Doris Hasell from the Grosvenor Artists will offer a workshop from contemplation to achievement in creating an acrylic painting. Join in exploring the supplies, tools and considerations in making an acrylic painting.
Painting with Doris Hasell
Saturday May 25th, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Any age over 10 years, all supplies provided.
Location: Schnell Hall.
Cost $10 per participant, 20 spaces.
Register for Painting with Doris Hasell.
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. 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 will be shared.”
Location: Schnell Hall, cost $10 per person.
All materials will be supplied.
Limit of 18 participants in each session.
Birch Bark Baskets with Lyndon J Linklater:
Saturday May 25th, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Register for Birchbark Baskets #1.
Sunday May 26th, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Register for Birchbark Baskets #2.
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 will raise a traditional tipi on the lawn on Thursday May 23rd.
Lyndon will share traditional Storytelling in the tipi.
Friday May 24th, 1:30 am to 2:30 pm
Free - no need to register.
Friday May 24th, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Free - no need to register.
Space is limited by the tipi capacity.
Tipi time is weather dependent.
In case of a storm, the session will 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:
Saturday May 25th from 10:00 to 1:00 pm
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, we will work in teams under dee’s thoughtful guidance as we make lunch to share. Along the way we’ll learn some centering, calming, contemplative ways to approach cooking that will ease the strain of everyday meals.
Limit of 16 participants, in Schnell Kitchen.
All food and equipment are supplied. Cost $10 per person.
Register for Contemplative Cooking with dee Hobsbawn-Smith
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 is an honour to welcome Elder Maria Linklater to speak at the 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 will speak about making dolls for First Nations children, and will bring some of these dolls 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, 10:30 am to 12:00 noon.
Location: Sanctuary.
Admission is free - no need to register.
Slow tea - photo Matt Smith
Slow Tea with Nobuko Iwai
Nobuko Iwai will be hosting a Slow Tea, taking time to contemplate and reflect on the sensory experience, feelings and memories it may evoke.
Jasmine tea will be served. Please be prepared to stay for 30 to 45 minutes.
Slow Tea with Nobuko Iwai:
Location: the McFaull Reading Room.
Cost $5. Limit of 6 participants.
Friday May 24th, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Register for Slow Tea #1
Saturday May 25th, 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Register for Slow Tea #2
Sunday May 26th, 4:00 to 5:00 pm
Register for Slow Tea #3
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,
will lead a Mixed Media Sculpture Workshop on
Saturday May 25th from 1:00 to 2:45 pm.
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 will be provided from which participants will create small sculptures and contemplate the beauty that can be drawn out of what otherwise might be considered garbage!
Mixed Media Sculpture Workshop:
Saturday May 25th from 1:00 to 2:45 pm.
All equipment and materials will be supplied.
Cost $10 per person, limit of 12 participants.
Register for Mixed Media Sculpture.
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,
will lead a Wire Sculpture Workshop on
Saturday May 25th from 3:15 to 5:00 pm.
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 will be supplied.
Wire Sculpture Workshop:
Saturday May 25th from 3:15 to 5:00 pm.
Cost $10. Limit of 12 participants.
Register for Wire Sculpture with Lee Fuller.
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, will lead a Lanyard Beading Workshop on Sunday May 26th from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
To begin in a good way, the beading workshop will open with a song by Parker Longjohn. Participants will meet one another and then learn 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 will spend the afternoon creating one, with ongoing instruction from Marisa. To end our time together, Parker will offer a closing song.
Lanyard Beading Workshop:
Sunday May 26th from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
Beads and materials to create a lanyard will be supplied.
Cost $10. Limit of 10 participants.
Register for Beading with Marisa Merasty-Buffalo.
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.)”
Come prepared to walk outdoors and photograph your personal images using your camera, phone, tablet, etc. We will gather, have 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 at 1:30 to 3:00 pm.
Meet up in the church lobby, then the group will go for a walk in the neighbourhood.
Free - No need to register in advance.
Read more about Glenn Kurmey at Artists.
Contemplative Photography with Glenn Kurmey
Neurographic art by Phyllis Baker
Phyllis Baker will offer two Neurographic Art Workshops:
Friday May 24th, 10:30 am to 12:00 noon.
Friday May 24th, 3:30 to 5:00 pm.
As a participant in this workshop, you are invited to experience a time of quiet mindfulness as you work with line and colour to create a work of art. Your intuition will be 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 will be provided.
Cost $10 per person, limit of 12 participants.
Neurographic Art Workshops with Phyllis Baker:
Friday May 24th, 10:30 am to 12:00 noon.
Register for Neurographic Art Workshop 1.
Friday May 24th, 3:30 to 5:00 pm.
Register for Neurographic Art Workshop 2.
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
Come for a time of shared reflection and gentle spiritual practice, as the Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck offers us the “three seeds” of Christian Animism, Green Priestcraft, and Kything. For many, these will be 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, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Location: Sanctuary
Free admission - no need to register in advance.
Read more about Shawn Sanford Beck at Artists.
Runes, Roots and Reconciliation, with Darcy Blahut and Shawn Sanford Beck.
Join Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck and Darcy Blahut for a reading and exploration of their new book A Prairie Rune. The co-authors will share reflections on the writing process as a contemplative journey through land, culture, spirituality, and language itself. Signed books will be available for purchase at this workshop.
Runes, Roots, and Reconciliation
Sunday May 26th, 3:00 to 4:00 pm
Location: Sanctuary
Free admission - no need to register in advance.
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
Join Rhonda Gallant-Morari to create designs on a t-shirt (front and/or back) that reflect your connection to the natural world. Using stencils, objects and gathered natural materials, we will create designs, then use the technique of bleach misting to leave the desired effect. We will start with some poetry and readings, and you will be invited to examine your own connection to the land, the flora and fauna. You will be encouraged to go on a short, silent walk nearby. While on your path you can collect natural items or anything of interest that may be used on your shirt. There will be other items available to use as well (eg. stencils, letter stencils, insect shapes, feathers, leaves, rocks.)
We ask that you 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 will be provided, but feel free to bring your own protective gloves just in case you have a sensitivity to the ones we will provide. You may want to bring a plastic bag as your shirt will be wet or damp when done. After this workshop you will have a meaningfully designed shirt that will hopefully bring fond memories for a long time. You will also receive an instruction sheet so you can create more designs of your own in the future.
This activity will be done outside and is weather permitting.
Limited to ten participants. Cost $10.
Contemplative T-Shirt Workshop,
Sunday May 26th from 2:30 to 5:00 pm.
Register for Contemplative T-Shirts.
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’) we will look at definitions of JOY, how we might be called to it by our Creator, and how to practice it. We will do this through ritual and creative process such as journaling, and art-making. Moments for play and laughter will be part of our time together as well. Our resources will include 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 is a repeat from last year’s 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, 12:30 to 3:00 pm
Blue Room, cost $10. Limit of 10 participants.
Register for JOY! with Shelly Manley-Tannis.
Read more about Shelly Manley-Tannis at Artists.
Shelly Manley-Tannis
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 will have 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’ll use a combination of collage, stamping, drawing, hand-writing and/or painting – whatever comes to mind – and there is 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, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Schnell Hall.
Cost $10, limit of 12 participants.
Register for Cards of Encouragement with Shelly.
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 workshop is 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 offers you two hours of stories and conversation about what it’s meant for her to follow a more creative, contemplative path. Her hope is 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, 2:30 to 4:30 pm
Location - Nursery Room.
Cost $10, limit of 12 participants.
Register for Creative Living: a conversation.
Read more about Brenda Baker at Artists.