Gathering Ground: Find your Spirit Guide

What if you could create a guide to help you navigate life's challenges, celebrate your strengths, and honor your imagination? Join artist and educator Michelle de Celia (aka Koza) for a creative journey that combines visual art, poetry, performance, and community connection. Through a series of hands-on workshops, participants will explore cultural traditions, personal symbolism, and storytelling to create a unique "spirit guide" that reflects their inner wisdom, creativity, and aspirations. Using watercolor, collage, paper arts, jewelry-making, creative writing, and performance exercises, participants will develop an original artwork and poem inspired by their spirit guide. Along the way, Worcester-area guest artists will share their expertise and creative practices. Digi Chivetta (weeks 3 and 4) will lead visual arts explorations grounded in symbolism and interdisciplinary artmaking; Teree Thomas-Perez (weeks 5 and 6), founder of The Jewelry Co-op, will introduce jewelry-making and craft-based approaches to personal expression; Irena Kaçi (weeks 7 and 8) will guide participants through poetry and creative writing; and Karina Beleño (weeks 9 and 10) will lead performance activities that help participants bring their spirit guides to life through movement, voice, and presence. Michelle de Celia (aka Koza) is coordinating the project and facilitating all other sessions (weeks 1, 2, 11 and 12). The project culminates in a public exhibition and showcase where participants can share their artwork, poetry, and creative discoveries with family, friends, and the wider community. No previous art, writing, or performance experience is required. All materials will be provided. Participants of all ages are welcome, making this a family-friendly opportunity to create, reflect, and connect through art. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The class does not meet on 9/13. Come discover the guide waiting within you. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Arts Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.