The first two sessions of Roots of Allyship series of workshops were really timely given the political climate since October, and clearly addressed a deep need within people doing the work of Allyship and justice. People expressed a desire to work through their tired feelings and feelings of disharmony. The people gathered had a desire to build community and cohesion with like-minded people.
The first workshop in the series occurred on October 26th and explored the topic: “Why we want to be allies, and have a better world” This workshop walked participant through the questions: what was happening right now and what did people want to change? It was an open studio format. An open studio format means that a series of art materials were provided, and participants choose to use whatever they like thus ensuring that the art they created was not pre-determined. People chose three words from why we all decided to attend to create individual art pieces. Then people were asked to use words that resonated with them to reflect on creating a set of simple values which would help them continue this work in the world.
For January, the title of the workshop was “Balm to Burn Out” and focused exclusively on simple movements. In the deep cold of winter, 8 people came out to explore. People came for different reasons: personal burnout with immigration processes; learning more about allyship; AND the biggest reason was to get out of their minds, thoughts and ideas about the world and instead seek was to use their body and process their burnout in a physically way. A word that came up in discussion was embodiment: less theory, less in the muck, more body.
With moving our bodies, we explored simple directions such as fast/slow, direct/indirect and start/stop. Participants were encouraged to really explore what felt good, safe and sustainable with all the movement. We then created a piece called “Doing Nothing” and then “Doing Something”. People could choose to be silent and still, or be moving and loud. There could be no in-between. With all these choices, it was my intention to set up parameters for the participants to explore their natural inclinations for pace and what they currently needed within the dance but also within their life to feel nurtured. We often spend time stuck in one mode or the other: so this process allowed us to explore it in art!
The group talked about what it felt like to be either the only one doing anything, or be the ones watching another person do all the work or task and what that felt like. The person left doing it, felt alone. While the others around noted that they felt guilty but didn’t want to jump in right away.
Participants desired to reflect on all our time together and write down concrete resources that could be shared. Participants said that the day produced the following insightful resources:
- other people, you don’t need to figure out everything yourself,
- self compassion, be gentle, constructively self-soothe
- be aware in your body and its knowledge
- sometimes talking is helpful, sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes you need to allow yourself to be grounded, like electricity.
- Connection is good, reach out!
Art has the amazing ability to allow people further insight into their actions within the world. People want community and to belong. These one day workshops allowed people to step outside of their regular routines and reflect with likeminded people. This allows for community building and reconnecting with a beginners mindset!
The next workshops become more theatrical as we explore Augusto Boals’ Theatre of the Oppressed techniques!
February 22 -10am-2:30pm
March 21 -10am-2:30pm
For more information or to register, Click here.
Written by Brooke Leifso Justice Arts Director for the Spiritual Arts Movement