Popular Arts Workshop Series Now Open for Spring Registration

We live in changing and uncertain times. Art and creative thinking play critical roles – reflecting the world’s complexities and fostering dialogue – during all seasons, but especially in challenging times.

How can we create a safe space for community interaction and sharing experiences? How can we build lasting support systems?

In an effort to harness the healing power of the arts, the Challenging Times Series is offered by the Crafts Center in partnership with the Gregg Museum of Art & Design and Arts NC State.  

• Where:  The Gregg Museum of Art & Design, 1903 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC, 27607 Douglas S. Witcher, Sunroom #155
• When:    Specific dates listed below with each topic.
• Time:     1-3 p.m.
• Sessions are free to participants but sign-up is required. You may attend one session or many sessions (space permitting) and do not need to attend sessions in order. Each session will be limited to 20 participants. 

Through artistic engagement, students and community members will contribute to meaningful dialogue, raise awareness and inspire change. Each session explores a theme, incorporating artistic creation, conversation and collaboration. Read about each session below.

Note: These sessions support well-being but do not replace professional mental health care. Art materials will be provided. 

Session Schedule

• Session 1: January 31

Community Building: Fostering a supportive community for sharing experiences, resources, and encouragement

In this opening session participants establish a safe environment to explore and create collaboratively. We discover who’s here, what kind of art each of us is currently doing, what we might offer each other, and what we dream of offering to our community. 

While we are talking each person will begin a canvas with the media of their choice. Every eight minutes you will pass your canvas to the right. It comes back to you. We talk about what was created from us.

• Session 2: February 7

Resilience and Resolution: Finding inner peace amidst chaos through art creation

Participants paint or draw while continuing the conversation. If you did not attend the previous session, we will catch you up! Each person receives a set of 2×2 squares to decorate freely.  You will create whatever you want on each square.

• Session 3: February 14

Random acts of kindness week.

We create from the art we created in the previous session. (If you did not attend the previous session, materials will be provided for you at this session.)  Each person composes mosaics with contributions from everyone in the group, discusses what it means to belong, and how we might do random acts of kindness for the community.  As an added bonus each person will craft a paper box for gifting a random act of kindness. 

• Session 4: March 21

Mindfulness and Wellness: Incorporating mental health practices into art making. 

Today we emphasize self-care through mindfulness, meditation, and artistic expression.  The session commences with a guided meditation followed by art creation, allowing each participant to choose their preferred medium.

• Session 5: April 4

Mindfulness and Wellness: Incorporating mental health practices into art making, continued

As this group continues to cultivate a community of caring, creativity, and connection we discuss words and phrases of hope used to create bracelets for one another, and bracelets to gift on campus.

• Session 6: April 11

Imagine alternative Futures: Speculative thinking and creative brainstorming through art

Today we reflect on our achievements this school year and contemplate future directions for 2025-26.  Each participant will craft a vision board.