Creativity, Peace and Friendship with ARTreach at Agave Road!

Dear art friends, ARTreach offers a monthly three-hour Expressive Arts retreat in Katy, Texas. Profits gleaned from these retreats go to support ARTreach programs. ARTreach is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to bring art-related programs and services to children at risk, troubled youth, adults living with illnesses, victims of crime, the elderly and the community at large. This Expressive Arts retreat can energize your ability to think outside the box and reconnect with your creative impulse through the use of art media. In the retreat you will explore your mind in an open ended way and discover layers of your inner world. You can also use the retreat to explore an issue in order to increase your awareness and search for solutions. These retreats are guided by Lorena Fernandez, M.A. who is ARTreach program director for Expressive Arts. "The Expressive Arts retreats have nothing to do with artistic skill or experience at all." Fernandez explains. "It is about exploring creativity and imagination with the help of tangible things, such as art materials, but it includes music, sound, movement and writing. The purpose of each retreat is to stimulate the finding and expressing of personal insights hidden in the non verbal, and then add words to that. It is intense imaginative play for grownups, 18 and up." This monthly three-hour retreat takes place at Agave Road, a beautiful private estate located among the trees of a 30-acre wildlife sanctuary. Agave Road's address is 1016 FM 1463, Katy, Texas 77494. To learn more about the location visit their website: www.agaveroad.net The next retreat will be on February 25, 2009. The cost is $42 per person, 18 and older. To ensure a relaxed atmosphere, the maximum number of participants per session is 20. Participants should bring a pen, notebook, comfortable clothing and a snack. Sign up online in Fernandez's website www.LFcreative.com Future dates are: Feb 25, March 25, April 29, May 27, August 26, September 30, October 28 and November 25. All dates available this year are open for enrollment. The "The artistic object that comes out from each activity could be a good initial idea to be developed further in the studio, for artists. Writers get exciting ideas for poems and other writings. People who do not consider themselves artists usually come away with powerful insights into their own behavior in the world. The retreat can be useful in helping anyone reduce stress and anxiety by giving those emotions a tangible shape and by putting words to that representation in a non judgmental, non competitive atmosphere. It is also an opportunity to meet very interesting people," says Fernandez. Lorena B. Fernandez, M.A. is an artist and certified Expressive Arts facilitator currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Expressive Arts from EGS. She is the author of the bilingual art memoir Spiritual Healing with Art, Curación Espiritual Con Arte available at Amazon.com. For more information, contact Lorena B. Fernandez at (281) 748-1477 via e-mail at L.Fernandez@artreachonline.org or visit her website www.LFcreative.com

Location: Agave Road 1016 FM 1463 Katy, Tx 77494 phone: (281) 395-5070 website: agaveroad.net Agave Road has graciously donated its gorgeous location to ARTreach for these monthly retreats. The Expressive Arts activities included will vary every month.

What if I am not an artist... Can I still do Expressive Arts? Yes! No art experience is necessary! The only thing that matters in Expressive Arts is to give yourself the freedom to create something that comes spontaneously. General guidelines: * All criticism is left outside the front door. * The atmosphere is non-competitive. * There is no right or wrong way of doing things. * No experience with art media is necessary. * All feelings are allowed. * Individual dreams, aspirations, revelations and insights are given respect and encouragement. * Emotionally Safe environment. What to bring: Something to write, a notebook, a snack, comfortable clothes that you won't mind getting dirty. ArtReach will offer an Expressive Arts Workshop at Agave Road the last Wednesday of every month. If you have any questions, please email me. Have a wonderful day! Lorena B. Fernandez M.A. Lorena B. Fernandez M.A. Is an artist and Expressive Arts facilitator. She is also the Program Director for Expressive Arts in ArtReach a 501(c)3 non-profit organization striving to provide equal access to the arts while inspiring, empowering, increasing self awareness and cultural awareness.