Who is this for?
For artists and non-artists alike, Mythos-Sphere is for people who want to explore creative expression for the sake of discovery and connection. Everyone benefits from healthy self-expression, just as we all benefit from regular exercise, whether or not we’re gifted athletes. Courses and events are open to all.
Mythos-Sphere nourishes the group dynamic. By sharing the creative process, people of diverse outlooks enter into creative conversation. For community groups, business organizations, friend-and-family gatherings: we can customize a project tailored to your specific needs and interests.
What are the benefits of participating?
So many!! Here are a few:
For individuals: Turn to creative practice for guidance and discovery. Feel comfortable sharing your unique and quirky vision and voice. Learn to appreciate multiple versions of the story. Explore the archetypal themes that weave through your life and connect you with others. Find creative inspiration. Reduce anxiety by engaging in making things. Increase your intuitive awareness. Feel seen, heard, and more fulfilled. Discover common ground with others. Relax and have fun!
For groups, the process can be used to facilitate balanced, healthy participation of all members. Develop inclusive stories. Clarify a sense of group identity and common ground. Reframe narratives to include all viewpoints. When we’re all encouraged to express ourselves, and recognize each others’ similarities and differences, the group benefits.
I’m not an artist. Can I do this?
Yes! At Mythos-Sphere the focus is on symbolic rather than aesthetic expression. Mythos-Sphere is designed for people of all artistic skill levels.
The objective is to give expression to ideas, emotions, and feelings, and not to create great or perfect art. While we use creative arts practices, we do not offer skill building art classes.
Activities emphasize playfulness and acceptance of expression, rather than accuracy of representation or “right/wrong” outcomes.
I am an artist. Why should I do this?
Mythos-Sphere is valuable for people of any skill level. We provide a social context for sharing the creative experience and the discoveries that come out of it. Offerings highlight the archetypal nature of the creative process, and you can expect this to deepen your relationship with your work, whatever your medium or skill level. The experience provides the ground for shared metaphorical understanding, the fundamental bridge that connects individual with community. And it’s fun.
Is this art therapy?
Not specifically, although you may well find the process therapeutic. This process centers on creative expression in community, falling more within the realm of creative arts education, toward the goals of enhancing interpersonal communication and increasing inner-outer awareness, or one’s presence and participation within the larger environment. By contrast, art therapy is geared toward specific mental health outcomes within a psycho-therapeutic relationship.
Tell me more about the process.
All Mythos-Sphere events are based on what I call the Inner+Outer method: We begin with grounding in location, recognizing that what we create in this place and this time is unique and influenced by participation of the location, the elements, and the influences around and within us. We move back-and-forth between inner activities like meditation and journaling and outer activities like sharing and discussion, often interwoven with visual arts processes like drawing and collage. Via this oscillating rhythm, a relaxed and supportive atmosphere is created.
But what are we really going to be doing?
Lol. Hanging out together making stuff :) Talking. Laughing. Journaling. Sharing. Having quiet time together. Creative arts activities frequently include painting, drawing, and collage.
What is the Mythos-Sphere?
Mythos-Sphere is a metaphor coming from the idea that a mythology is like a world of interlacing stories, beliefs, thoughts, dreams, memories, traditions, habits, and so on… These can be viewed and interpreted from myriad vantage points, and you can imagine all those points together forming a sphere. If we explore that sphere together, we can build a sense of the shared mythology that holds us.
Is this about Greek and Roman gods?
Yes and no. Greek and Roman myths are the most familiar to many westerners, but every culture in every time has its own lived experience of mythology. Mythology naturally emerges as humans strive to make meaning out of the events and circumstances of their lives. Mythology is a system of beliefs and understandings that forms as humans come to terms with their experiences of the unknown; neither true nor false, but in between. As there are always unknowns in life, so, too, there is always mythology.
Jung and many others have pointed out that the metaphors of mythology give insight into the cultural psyche. It is generally easier to recognize the mythologies of others than to be aware of the mythology that one is living.
What does this have to do with my life?
Mythos-Sphere facilitates a healthy relationship between individual and group by opening up the space where we’re encouraged to express ourselves, and appreciate each others’ similarities and differences.
Each of us needs to be recognized as an individual and to be accepted as part of the collective, in some way. These are basic human needs. If either the sense of recognition or the sense of participation breaks down—and both often do—there is dysfunction, not only for the individual but also for the collective.
If you feel lonely or isolated, it may be because you don’t have a place where you can express yourself and feel like part of the group at the same time.
What if I’m nervous (anxious shy embarrassed)?
Many people have anxiety about creative expression, and I’m pretty good at helping people through that. We use simple hands-on creative activities to express feelings and ideas that may be difficult to put into words. The process is intended to reduce anxiety and promote ease of creative expression.
There's no place here for judgments of "good" or "bad" or “beautiful” or “ugly.” It's more about showing up, tuning in, listening, and expressing your truth. We focus on the process of opening up and letting the expression come through. To be honest, trying to make it look good can actually get in the way of that. I do encourage sharing, but there's no pressure to do so. The sharing is always optional.
What kind of groups do you work with?
I’ve worked with young children through college students to older adults. I’ve worked with the homeless and with veterans’ groups. I’ve worked with artists and those who feel hopelessly “un-creative.” There are many possible applications for this work. For example:
A family gathering for a memorable event.
A creative approach to community conflict resolution.
An educational/study group on a particular theme
A team workshop to clarify corporate vision.
What are some ideas for custom events?
It’s fun to come up with something just right for you. Here’s a sample of things I’ve done in the past:
Meet Your Monsters
Playing with Fairy Tales
Leap Foolishly! A Myth for Spring
Mapping the Space Between Us
Mixed Media Memoir
How do you charge for custom events?
My fee for custom events is based on design time + contact hours + any necessary materials. The number of participants is also a factor. All of these things can vary widely, so it’s hard to give even a ballpark estimate without narrowing something down. I’m happy to give you an estimate once I know more. Book a free consultation.
What is your cancellation policy?
Courses: 2 weeks or more in advance: full refund (minus bank fees). Less than 2 weeks before starting date to 6 days after starting date: full credit toward a future offering.
One-time Events: 2 weeks or more in advance: full refund (minus bank fees). Less than 2 weeks before starting date: full credit toward a future offering.
Custom Events: Terms will be discussed at time of proposal.