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Active program leaders have access to AWBW's searchable online workshop resource offering:
projects developed by each leader can be shared with the entire network.
View Sample Workshops:
Funeral of “I Cant’s”Take a Walk in My Shoes Personal Needs Flower
This workshop is the fourth in the “Creative Scrapbook” series created by Carolyn Coleman Manns of Laurel House in Pennsylvania. Through this series, Carolyn powerfully links creative expression to the shelter’s basic DV curriculum. Objective: To help each woman realize how much strength it took to leave her abuser and come into the shelter. To affirm that she took the power with her when she left. To say “goodbye” to her “I Cant’s” — the fears she faces as she thinks about building a new life (I can’t drive, I can’t get a job, I can’t find a place to live, etc.)
Materials: Paper Shredding Machine (Some shred into confetti, some into strips. Check to see what kind you have. Either works for this workshop - they just look different.) Off-colored writing paper (Beige, grey, off-white) Construction paper (assorted colors) Scissors Glue sticks Glitter or glitter paint Bright paints and brushes Markers Popsicle sticks (Optional) Music Timeframe: 2 hrs Intro & Writing: 30 min Sharing & Shredding: 30 min Creation: 45 min Sharing: 15 min Introduction: “Today we are going to discuss the fears of leaving, and anything you felt you could not accomplish before entering the shelter and in your 1st few days in the shelter. This project is called ‘The Funeral of the “I Cant’s” (It’s useful to have samples to share, so they can see what will happen with the shredded “I Cant’s.”) Is there anything you felt afraid of or felt that you couldn’t do? Can anyone think of any “I Cant’s” she felt when she arrived here? Now we're going to start out today be writing them all down.” (Each woman writes down on a piece of paper her list of the “I Cant’s.”)
Sharing & Shredding: Each woman one by one shares her list. One by one, each woman shreds her “I Cant’s” and saves the shredded paper. Creation: Each person chooses a piece of construction paper, markers, paint, glue, glitter, and paint brushes. Encourage each woman to think about how she wants to bury her “I Cant’s.” Is there any style of burial that suits her religion or preferences? Support each participants to bury her “I Cant’s” according to her choice. Creativity is the key. Closing: Allow each woman to discuss how she felt burying her “I Cant’s,” and to share why she chose the method of burial she chose. Workshop Variations Funeral for My Past Lupe Diaz and Jesucita Zuniga, from WomenShelter of Long Beach, changed the "I Cant's" to "My Past" to allow participants to choose what, from thier past, they're ready to let go of. 
Tips Consider sharing with your participants the benefits of moving their bodies in playful and safe ways. Understanding what’s meaningful about movement and body awareness can help participants feel at ease expanding their comfort zones. For more about embodied art workshops and how to introduce them in your groups, see Introduction to Embodied Art Workshops.
This project was on display in Wausau, Wisconsin during April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month in conjunction with The Clothesline Project, and a healing vigil. Judy welcomed survivors in her agency’s outreach program and crisis shelter to participate. Feel free to adapt to Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities in October. Be sure to plan ahead so you have enough time for the creation and exhibit prep. Objective: To give participants the opportunity to express their feelings of surviving abuse and to help others understand how it feels to “walk in their shoes.”
Materials: Shoes (I announce the project ahead of time so the women have time to find and bring in their own shoe. I also have a variety of shoes available the day we start the project in case someone didn’t bring one from home.) Puffy paint or acrylic paints Assorted glues (glue sticks, glue guns, E6000, etc.) Ribbons and string Stick-on letters or felt letters (I found some at Michael’s) Assorted decorations (e.g. feathers, beads, artificial flowers, stickers, shells, rocks, pipe-cleaners, puzzle pieces, etc.)
Time-Frame: We completed this project with 3 sessions (1 1/2 hours per session). Some participants took their shoes home to work on them between sessions. Introduction: Many of us are not able to talk about sexual/domestic abuse and the profound affect it has had on us. My hope is for all of you to express yourselves in a different way, one that may feel safer to you. The project we are doing is called “Take a Walk in My Shoes.” Most people have heard, “take a walk in my moccasins” and understand its meaning. Everyone wants to be understood so as not to feel alone. Make this shoe that you have chosen speak for you. There are no limits, so use whatever you need to tell your story of bravery and courage. Feel free to try all the materials to see which work for you. Opening: Let's take a few deep breaths as you prepare to start your project. While breathing slowly, begin to look at the shoe you have chosen. If you like, hold it in your hands. Ask yourself why you chose that particular shoe? What does it tell you? Where has it been with you? Allow any thoughts to come to you and try to not judge them. Although some memories are difficult or painful they are part of the journey you've traveled. Be patient with yourself and take your time. Honor the difficult memories and allow your shoes to guide you through the healing path you've began. Several happy memories might also come up as you think about the person you are now and the unique experiences you have had. Only you and your shoes know where you have been. Don't forget to continue breathing as you explore. Creation: When you're ready, gather the materials you want to use on your shoe and fire away. Let your imagination guide you as you create. Remember to let your shoe speak to you and consider what you would like for it to tell others about your story. There is never a right or wrong way of doing it. Enjoy the process and honor your own timing. Closing:At the close of each session, if time permits, ask each person to share how it felt working on her shoe. I find that they are always surprised how the shoe seemed to create itself. Encourage their creativity.
Author of the book Meshe, Heshe, Mison, and Orbit
This workshop is part of Karen’s larger body of work called MESHE. This work provides powerful, creative ways of exploring relationships, problem-solving, and self-discovery. Karen has visited the AWBW studio and generously shares her work with all of us. For more info, visit her website: www.meshe.com. Objective: To provide an opportunity for participants to tune into their own personal needs by creating a flower where each petal represents one need. To begin to see the many layers of needs — physical, emotional, spiritual, and more — and to honor all these layers. To notice that our needs are deeply linked to who we are as a unique and special person.
Note About Conflicting Needs: Sometimes a person might notice that her different needs seem to be in conflict with each other. (For example, the need to have more quiet alone time and the need to spend more playful, fun time with her children.) This is okay. The purpose of this workshop is to reveal the many needs – even conflicting ones that can be seen as part of our entire makeup. It is okay not to be problem-solving at this time, but rather supporting participants as they reveal and learn to accept themselves at this very creative stage, seeing not only the needs that can be fulfilled, but also those that seem far from resolution. By putting all the needs around a single circle, we allow our conscious mind to see how they all can coexist and we can begin to find safer and more creative ways to embrace and move through any conflicts. Materials: Colored paper CrayPas Crayola pens/magic markers Glue stick Blank envelopes As an option, stickers can be a wonderful way to spark the creativity and nudge our recalling senses. When using stickers, encourage participants to supplement the images with their own drawings. Time frame: Total Time: 2 hours Introduction 10 min Opening Circle 10 min Technical Info 5 min Relaxation 5 min Creation 60 min Closing Circle 30 min Set-up / Prep: Lay out all the materials in the center of the table so that each person will be able to reach all the colors. Prepare a sample so that your demonstration can go quickly and leave plenty of time for creating. Introduction: “Who we are, authentically, is tied up in our needs—and in our ability to track these needs and provide support and expression for them. Some of our needs are fundamental; they have to do with bodily functions. Tending to this level of our needs can reduce the stress in our physical body that is echoing in our mind and spirit. Some of our needs come from deep within; inner urges that we gloss over which lay in wait until the day we are ready to address them. These needs can create inner conflict without us ever knowing it. They can create physical symptoms, contribute to addictions, and even be responsible for unwanted habits. “Stress, tension, and internal pressure can all come from a need for balanced nutrition, hydration, and elimination. Yet many of us don’t take the breaks necessary throughout our day to do such basic things as eat, drink, and go to the bathroom, at the times that our body needs. Many of us don’t even breathe! This workshop will be a chance to ask ourselves, What are my bodily needs? “Some of our needs are hidden needs. They are harder to sense—our needs for comfort, safety, security, our need to feel whole, supported, in community. This workshop will be a chance to ask ourselves, What are my hidden needs? “Some of our needs are conflicting needs. The need to tell can be lodged so deep within us, fighting for space and time in a battle with a need to keep a confidence, to do the right thing, and to not upset those around us. But a need to tell, when fulfilled, can literally change the course of our lives. “Uncovering the duality of conflicting needs can begin with a whispering voice in the mind, become an image in a Personal Needs Flower, grow to taking in the confidence of a professional, and finally emerge in the freedom and expanded capacity of our own authentic life.” Opening Circle: “Share one thought about a need of yours that is coming to mind as we start this workshop. Is there some need that’s asking for attention right now? First thoughts are fine!” Technical Info/Demonstration: “Before we create our Personal Needs Flowers, we will start with a relaxation to help us begin to listen to our needs. I’ll demonstrate the process so that at the end of the relaxation, you can just dive right in. As I demonstrate the steps, remember that more than anything else, this is your special time to listen to and trust your own needs. There is no right or wrong to what you create. Just listen to the voice inside of you as you go. Whatever emerges is fine.
1. Creating the Center The first step is creating the center of your flower. (Hold up a sample or demonstrate by making one.) With the coloured paper, you’ll tear a circle about the same size as you would make when touching index fingers and thumbs together. Then you can draw a face that represents the peaceful, nurturing, supportive part of yourself that is here to help you. 2. Creating the Petals The next step is creating the petals, each one representing one of your needs. To make each petal, choose the paper and tear it into whatever shape you want. Be sure to make it big enough for you to draw on. Then you’ll go ahead and draw a symbol to represent your need. Use your imagination to create colourful representations of all you discover. Place each need petal around the circle, adding layer upon layer to the flower-like shape until it spills out all around you. 3. Completing your Flower “The final step is deciding how you want to finish your flower. You could use a glue stick to attach your petals together, glue them onto a larger piece of construction paper, or you could collect them into a pile that can travel with you in your purse or secret compartment. If you are going to keep your petals loose, you might want to decorate an envelope to keep them in. “You can finish your flower whichever way will best support you not only in being reminded of the needs you noticed today, but also in the ongoing process of discovering more of your needs. (You could even make some extra petals without anything on them yet so you can add more needs as you discover them.) “Any questions? Remember that the time that you take to do this process will have a life of its own. It means something very special to take this kind of time—a need most of us never give credence to. It means something to be curious and playful—two more needs many of us have forgotten about. This is your special time to be curious and playful and listen to your needs! Ready for the relaxation?”
For a warm up that is more focused on the Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual needs, we recommend using the Paying Attention to ME warm up Variation (see below). Relaxation: “Draw your senses inward by closing your eyes and nestling into your seat. Wiggle about until you feel cozy and comfortable. Tune into your body from the top of your head, scanning slowly through to the tips of your toes. As you move your intention gracefully down your body, I’m going to be asking you some questions. Let the questions in and allow the answers to surface in whatever way your particular senses want to speak. For some of you, it might mean hearing an answer in your mind. For others, it could be that you see images in front of your closed eyes. The body also can speak to us through physical sensations. Whatever languages your body speaks in today, note the responses and trust whatever comes to you as I share these questions. [Speak slowly] What are your needs? Are you breathing? Are you thirsty? Do you need to pee? What are your needs? Do you have a need for comfort? Security? Safety? Do you have a need to tell something? Do you have a need to keep quiet about something? “Take time to notice any hidden needs that you have. Tune in to your belly, to your heart, to the senses in your torso, and feel around in there. Do it gently, be general, be receiving. Allow an impression of something to arise and bubble-up as thought, image or sensation. Acknowledge a vague fleeting sense, if one passes by. Pay attention to pictures and memories that appear. Let what happens now be as mysterious and as elusive as it has to be. “Just relax and take your time as you ask yourself “What are my needs?” “With these thoughts and images stirred in your mind, begin to think about your flower. What color comes to mind for the center? Can you picture a face that represents the peaceful, nurturing, supportive part of yourself that is here to help you and notice your needs? Whenever you are ready, you can open your eyes and begin to create your flower.” Creation: As the participants create their flowers, gently remind them that there is no right or wrong. The only important thing is that they keep noticing and honoring their own needs. Encourage them to keep asking the question, What are my needs? Encourage them to allow the question to echo like a mantra in their consciousness. Be sure to leave time for sharing at the end. Encourage each person to decide how she wants to finish her flower. Does she want to glue it together? Or keep it in a pile like a very special deck of cards? Does she want to create any extra petals to carry with her to add more needs as she discovers them? Closing: Give everyone an opportunity to share about her Personal Needs Flower. Encourage her to share any discoveries that came to her today as she took time to notice her needs.
Tips Consider sharing with your participants the benefits of moving their bodies in playful and safe ways. Understanding what’s meaningful about movement and body awareness can help participants feel at ease expanding their comfort zones. For more about embodied art workshops and how to introduce them in your groups, see Introduction to Embodied Art Workshops.
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