A Painting Workshop For Non-Artists

Pamela Hochstetter, MDiv, will offer her InnerArt workshops at Newtown Congregational Church twice this month. The workshops are open to the public and have been scheduled so that one fits easily into almost anyone’s calendar — one workshop is during the week in the morning hours and the second in being held during early evening hours.

The workshops will be in the church’s Great Room Monday, March 19, from 10 am until 12:30 pm, and Wednesday, March 28, from 6:30 to 9 pm.

Cost for each workshop is $35, which covers all supplies and light refreshments. Registration is due by March 14 for the daytime workshop, and by March 22 for the evening workshop. Each workshop can accommodate up to 20 participants.

InnerArt, according to Ms Hochstetter, “is a unique workshop that combines creativity stimulants, stress relievers, and spiritual practice. The likely side effects are gifts of inspiration, elevated mood, increased sense of union with one’s source and often, the desire to set up a room of one’s own, or a portion thereof, to continue the work.”

Most importantly, she promises, “No art experience is necessary!”

Through simple breathing meditation participants are guided to relax and let go, “to just be,” says Ms Hochstetter. A paint box with a box of vibrant colors is supplied to each person for their own free, playful, and vivid self-expression. Then supportive peer interaction is encouraged.

“She sounds so calm and comforting, and is able to work with anybody, no matter what their skills and art level art,” said Dale Mello, a deacon for Newtown Congregational Church and a member of NCC’s Growing in Faith Committee, which has arranged for the workshop. “This should be a very calm and comforting time.”

“I think it’s going to be fun,” added Marie Sturdevant, also an NCC deacon, who recently met with Ms Hochstetter and said she was “overwhelmed by her sense of calm and soothing.”

For additional information about the workshops or to register for InnerArt, call Ms Mello at 364-1748 or Mrs Sturdevant at 740-2733.