ArtSELF
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation’s ArtSELF Arts for Wellness Workshops are designed to enhance community well-being through the power of the arts. This FREE series of 90-minute workshops offers our community a much-needed space to relax, rejuvenate, and manage stress, all while exploring creative self-care practices.
Available Workshops
Becoming Picasso
Offered by Teaching Artist Maria Schaedler-Luera
This theater-based workshop offers a transformative experience, empowering participants to expand their capacity to know and understand themselves, embodying the philosophy of Picasso’s artistic approach, without the paintbrush or canvas. Through a series of engaging exercises inspired by theater directors Boal and Stanislavski, as well as ancient wisdom from the Yoga Sutras, participants will actively explore and challenge their thoughts, uncovering the ones that significantly influence their behaviors. By taking an inventory of their consciousness, examining their intelligence, outer mind, senses, and ego, participants will break free from habitual thinking patterns and step into the vast space of infinite possibilities in the present moment. Tap into your inner Picassos, discovering your unique creative potential and embarking on a personal journey of self-discovery and transformation.
Music For Healing
Offered by Teaching Artist María Albán
This workshop invites you to discover the powerful connection between sound and wellness in a fun, welcoming workshop open to everyone. Led by musician and scholar Maria Carolina Alban, each session blends science, culture, and personal discovery as you explore how sound vibrations can calm the nervous system and support overall well-being. You will be introduced to instruments from indigenous and ancient traditions from around the world, learning the wisdom and science behind each one before getting the chance to play them yourself. Feel the vibrations travel through your hands, open your voice through guided singing and vocal toning, and tap into a practice that humans have turned to for centuries to restore balance, find stillness, and reconnect with themselves. No musical experience is necessary. Just bring yourself and an open mind.
Free Your Mind
Offered by Teaching Artist Maria Schaedler-Luera
This theater-based workshop offers a series of experiential and self-reflective exercises inspired by techniques of Rainbow of Desire, created by Brazilian activist and director Augusto Boal. In this offering, participants will learn to identify and transform the internal voices that block them from achieving their goals using their bodies and minds to reflect on patterns in their everyday lives. This personal growth and self-empowerment technique offers opportunities to gain greater insights and clarity into our own personal stories of oppression while giving us the motivation to break cycles and take steps towards creating change in our lives. No theater experience necessary.
Breathe Move Create
Offered by Teaching Artist Jessica McHugh
Join us for an immersive class where the power of deep breathing, yoga, and artistic expression comes together to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. This unique experience begins with guided breathing practices to cultivate awareness and energy, followed by a dynamic yoga session designed to open your body and heart.
As you flow through movements, you'll connect more deeply with your breath, paving the way for a creative exploration. In the last portion of the class, the motions of our bodies during the movement portion are echoed in our brush strokes and paper folds. Unleash your imagination with an art activity that encourages self-expression and mindfulness. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, this space welcomes all!
Step off your mat feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and connected to your unique creative essence!
Yoga mats, blocks, or other movement accessories are recommended; additional mats are available.
No Rules Art Journaling
Offered by Teaching Artist Kat Sjogren
Using a variety of art materials, including vintage papers, stamps, and magazines, participants explore creative self-expression in a relaxed, supportive environment. There are no rules, no artistic experience needed, and no pressure to create a finished product—just space to play, reflect, and create! Art journaling can be used as a calming, self-regulating practice and a private way to process thoughts, emotions, and everyday experiences. Teaching artist Kat Sjogren guides participants through mixed media techniques while encouraging personal creativity and exploration. This relaxed, welcoming workshop is designed to help relieve stress and reconnect with creativity through the simple act of making something. What you end up with is entirely your own: a small, meaningful reflection of that moment in time.
Available Workshops
Becoming Picasso
Offered by Teaching Artist Maria Schaedler-Luera
This theater-based workshop offers a transformative experience, empowering participants to expand their capacity to know and understand themselves, embodying the philosophy of Picasso’s artistic approach, without the paintbrush or canvas. Through a series of engaging exercises inspired by theater directors Boal and Stanislavski, as well as ancient wisdom from the Yoga Sutras, participants will actively explore and challenge their thoughts, uncovering the ones that significantly influence their behaviors. By taking an inventory of their consciousness, examining their intelligence, outer mind, senses, and ego, participants will break free from habitual thinking patterns and step into the vast space of infinite possibilities in the present moment. Tap into your inner Picassos, discovering your unique creative potential and embarking on a personal journey of self-discovery and transformation.
Music For Healing
Offered by Teaching Artist María Albán
This workshop invites you to discover the powerful connection between sound and wellness in a fun, welcoming workshop open to everyone. Led by musician and scholar Maria Carolina Alban, each session blends science, culture, and personal discovery as you explore how sound vibrations can calm the nervous system and support overall well-being. You will be introduced to instruments from indigenous and ancient traditions from around the world, learning the wisdom and science behind each one before getting the chance to play them yourself. Feel the vibrations travel through your hands, open your voice through guided singing and vocal toning, and tap into a practice that humans have turned to for centuries to restore balance, find stillness, and reconnect with themselves. No musical experience is necessary. Just bring yourself and an open mind.
Offered by Teaching Artist Maria Schaedler-Luera
Free Your Mind
This theater-based workshop offers a series of experiential and self-reflective exercises inspired by techniques of Rainbow of Desire, created by Brazilian activist and director Augusto Boal. In this offering, participants will learn to identify and transform the internal voices that block them from achieving their goals using their bodies and minds to reflect on patterns in their everyday lives. This personal growth and self-empowerment technique offers opportunities to gain greater insights and clarity into our own personal stories of oppression while giving us the motivation to break cycles and take steps towards creating change in our lives. No theater experience necessary.
Offered by Teaching Artist Jessica McHugh
Breathe Move Create
Join us for an immersive class where the power of deep breathing, yoga, and artistic expression comes together to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. This unique experience begins with guided breathing practices to cultivate awareness and energy, followed by a dynamic yoga session designed to open your body and heart.
As you flow through movements, you'll connect more deeply with your breath, paving the way for a creative exploration. In the last portion of the class, the motions of our bodies during the movement portion are echoed in our brush strokes and paper folds. Unleash your imagination with an art activity that encourages self-expression and mindfulness. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, this space welcomes all!
Step off your mat feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and connected to your unique creative essence!
Yoga mats, blocks, or other movement accessories are recommended; additional mats are available.
No Rules Art Journaling
Offered by Teaching Artist Kat Sjogren
Using a variety of art materials, including vintage papers, stamps, and magazines, participants explore creative self-expression in a relaxed, supportive environment. There are no rules, no artistic experience needed, and no pressure to create a finished product—just space to play, reflect, and create! Art journaling can be used as a calming, self-regulating practice and a private way to process thoughts, emotions, and everyday experiences. Teaching artist Kat Sjogren guides participants through mixed media techniques while encouraging personal creativity and exploration. This relaxed, welcoming workshop is designed to help relieve stress and reconnect with creativity through the simple act of making something. What you end up with is entirely your own: a small, meaningful reflection of that moment in time.
Current Partners and Projects:
For over 4 years, the Foundation has offered workshops by teaching artists trained in Trauma Informed Care to Trauma Survivors and Helping Professional. Through Monthly Workshops such as “No Rule Art Journaling” and “Becoming Picasso” as well as one-off opportunities and as part of regular overnight retreats, participants learn valuable coping and management skills through the arts.
The Resilient Retreat:
In 2023, the Performing Arts Foundation partnered with the Haven to provide regular arts program for aging adults with disabilities. Through the program, visiting artists engage with participants twice a week, exploring the arts as they engage in physically and mentally stimulating activities designed to support memory recall, motor skills, and improved quality of life.