CREATIVITY |
We
started the workshop in 1993 after many years of teaching
in a traditional University setting. We felt there were a lot of programs
that taught techniques of creative expression, but very few that focused
on the creative process itself. We decided to provide a workshop that
spoke to that neglected area. From our experience as educators, thinkers,
and artists we developed a unique series of exercises dedicated to inspiring
and keeping alive the life of the imagination.
We teach
from the point of view that people are by nature creative and that creativity,
like DNA, is unique in each individual. To access and develop creativity,
our workshops use exercises in: sense perception, free form writing and
drawing, associative thinking, map-making, constructive daydreaming, and
sensitivity to our environment.
The tools are simple: pencil and paper. Requirements are curiosity
and a desire to explore the creative abilities. We also work with learning
to recognize and trust your imagination's instincts, trusting your process,
combating debilitating self-criticism and the fear of failure that lead
to creative blocks.
Our exercises are broad paradigms that each participant can easily tailor
to her/his own goals, whether it be a particular specialty or life in
general.
We believe
that creativity is best served in a playful, nurturing, and non-competitive
environment where freedom and focus go hand in hand. We concentrate on
creative process rather than product and on the idea of creativity as
a way of viewing and appreciating life.
We designed the workshop to help you: find new sources of inspiration,
break through creative blocks, take pleasure in your imagination, discover
images from your unconscious, give yourself the permission, time, and
encouragement to do creative work, and develop a daily practice to accomplish
these goals.
And, most important of all, like the imagination itself, the Creativity Workshop is fun.
Shelley
Berc and Alejandro Fogel
Founders and Directors, Creativity Workshop
Process
over product
At root, creativity is fun and that is central to the exercises we do
in our classes. We teach the importance of process over product and the
value of accessing the unconscious to find our unique voice and imagery.
We believe that working back and forth between writing, oral storytelling,
and visual imagery stimulates the full spectrum of imagination in a way
that working within just one practice does not.
Beginner's
mind
No matter who we are or how much experience we have in using our imaginations,
every creative breath we take puts us back to a new beginning, with all
the opportunities and questions that entails.
Our groups are often attended by people from a wide range of ages, professions,
and cultures. We find that such a cross fertilization of backgrounds is
exciting and instructive for all.
Our exercises are broad paradigms that are meant to stimulate and free
up the imagination in all disciplines. participants go home with many
tools that they can use for years after the workshop ends.
Non-competitive
environment
Our workshops foster a nurturing, non-competitive environment where freedom
and focus go hand in hand. Participants work on their own as well as in
small groups for inspiration. Our exercises are broad paradigms designed
so each individual can tailor them to her/his own goals, whether it be
a particular creative specialty or a life journey.
Collaboration
Participants work on their own and in small groups (if they choose). We
find that collaboration can enhance individual originality by providing
an involved and attentive group atmosphere. Finding like minded individuals
to explore creative process gives each participant supporters to continue
to work with after the workshop ends.
Play,
play, play
We are all born creative, curious, and hungry to explore the world around
and within us. The question is how to keep those qualities alive and flourishing
as an adult. That is the goal of the Creativity Workshop and the raison
d' etre of all its exercises and teachings. For a child, creativity is
expressed in play and play is the way he learns. Life is just one big
erector set that is to be snapped together and pulled apart in a thousand
different ways. But as adults we often lose that flexibility and put away
our toys as we acquire jobs, kids, and mortgages. We at the Creativity
Workshop believe you can retrieve the child's sense of wonder in maturity.
We live in a culture that doesn’t encourage adults to be creative
unless it looks like we are going to make money at it. We think this is
a terrible social attitude towards the importance of imagination. Without
imagination we would not have any great scientists, thinkers, or artists.
The creative spirit within us is a trickster that adores turning the world
upside down. It is a tempest in our comfortable little teapot. It is our
personal daemon determined to imprint our unique voice upon the planet,
if only we will let it. It trips us and tickles us until we join in its
playfulness. If creativity is any one thing—it is play, play, play.
Contact us
1 (831) 915-5209
Creativity Workshop
We can help you learn to be more creative.
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Contact us
1 (831) 915-5209