"Creating a Poetic Life on Purpose" Workshop Coming Up at the University of Connecticut-Waterbury

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Connecticut Waterbury Campus is presenting the "Creating a Poetic Life on Purpose" Workshop on Tuesday, October 1, 2013, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. It will take place in the UConn Waterbury Multipurpose Room. The workshop facilitators are Anne F. O'Reilly, poet, mystic and teacher from Dublin, Ireland, and Steven Dahlberg, director of the Connecticut-based International Centre for Creativity and Imagination.

To reserve your free seat, please call 203-36-9924 or 203-236-9925 TODAY or email osher@uconn.edu.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:

Imagine, connect and act on purpose to create the life you want to lead. This is an experiential session using poetry and imagination practices to help you discover new connections between your creativity and your purpose. Learn to think in new ways about your possibilities and challenges, as well as strategies for creative thinking. Explore how to unleash and harness your creativity living your purpose as a creative act.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS:

• Anne F. O'Reilly, Ph.D., has more than 30 years experience of teaching and facilitating workshops in spirituality, creative writing and sacred poetry. She was a senior lecturer in religious studies in St. Patrick's College Drumcondra in Dublin, Ireland, until 2008, when she took early retirement and began working as a performance poet, celebrating the healing and transforming power of poetry. She brings to this work many years training with voice, poetry by heart, sacred clowning, drama and meditation. She is the author of Sacred Play: Soul Journeys in Contemporary Irish Theatre, and Singing from the Belly of the Whale, a book of poetry with original paintings by Caroline Hunter. The CD, Breathsong, with her own poems and music by Wayne Sheehy, was released in 2011.
• Steven Dahlberg is the director of the International Centre for Creativity and Imagination, which is dedicated to applying creativity to improve the well-being of individuals, organizations and communities. He serves on the board of the National Creativity Network, co-hosts the Creativity in Play online radio show, and authored the foreword to Education is Everybody's Business. He has taught courses and seminars at the University of Connecticut, Yale University, Rhode Island College, and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, among other places.

Hopkins Vineyard to Host ‘The Nature of Wine’ Mini-Workshop and Tasting as Part of Creativity Workshop in Connecticut

Hopkins Vineyard is hosting a special event on “The Nature of Wine,” exploring the intersection of creativity, wine and the brain. The event is Saturday, Sept. 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 25 Hopkins Rd. in New Preston, Conn., and presented by the New Milford, Conn.-based International Centre for Creativity and Imagination.

Participants will explore how master sommeliers learn to understand wine, what's happening in the brain when they taste wine -- and how they transfer this knowledge and experience to others. Participants will practice looking at, smelling and tasting wines as the experts do, sampling four of Hopkins wines in the process -- all while continuing to explore the nature of creativity through this local example of creative placemaking.

This experience is based on an experiment conducted between a master sommelier -- with 25 years of experience teaching thousands of people how to taste wine -- and a behavioral scientist. They sought to better understand how experts recognize aromas and flavors, as well as how to create a model to transfer this knowledge to others. The mini-workshop will engage participants in activities from the experiment, while helping them understand how the eyes and the nose affect what’s happening in the brain. This whole experience will also raise questions about how the brain affects ALL aspects of learning, not just learning to taste wine.

The event will feature Hopkins’ Vineyard Manager and Winemaker Jim Baker and the International Center for Creativity and Imagination Director Steven Dahlberg, along with Hopkins’ Winery Manager Rachel Greklek and Irish Poet Anne F. O’Reilly.

This event will conclude a daylong workshop on “The Nature of Creativity,” which is being held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the Center for Innovation at South Kent School in South Kent, Conn. This workshop explores how nature inspires us to be more creative, and is open to everyone – from teachers, business people and artists to community leaders, environmentalists and individuals looking to create positive change.

The wine event is $40/person and includes the mini-workshop on creativity, wine and the brain; a Hopkins wine tasting with cheese; and a keepsake wine glass from Hopkins. Participants can register for the daylong workshop and wine event together for a discount, or either event separately. Full details are available at http://natureofcreativity.org.

For more information, contact: Steve Dahlberg at news@appliedimagination.org or http://www.appliedimagination.org.

The International Centre for Creativity and Imagination is dedicated to applying creativity to improve the well-being of individuals, organizations and communities. Through its programs, the centre collaborates regularly with artists, scientists, business people, educators, museum professionals, community leaders and others to help people deliberately unleash and harness their creative thinking skills. Find more at:
http://www.appliedimagination.org

Hopkins Vineyard is a heritage farm set in the hills of Litchfield County overlooking Lake Waramaug. In 1979, Bill and Judith Hopkins transformed their dairy farm into a vineyard, one of the first in what has become a thriving Connecticut industry. Since then, it has consistently produced award-winning whites, reds and sparkling wines. Hopkins Vineyard grows 11 varieties of grapes. Find more at:
http://www.hopkinsvineyard.com

Irish Poet and Teacher Anne F. O'Reilly Returns to Ridgefield, Connecticut, with Workshops and Poetry Performance

The Ridgefield Library, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum and The Center for Creativity and Imagination Present: 

Exploring Pathways to the Imagination with Irish Poet and Teacher Dr. Anne F. O'Reilly ... October 2 and 3, 2013 - Ridgefield, Connecticut

Anne O'Reilly will return to Ridgefield, Conn., after her wonderful workshop and reading as part of last year's Creativity Conference. She will present three programs in early October: First a workshop at the Library, second a workshop for educators at The Aldrich, and third a poetry reading and performance at The Aldrich.

• Catch the Heart Off-Guard: A Poetry From the Heart WorkshopWednesday, October 2, 2:00-5:00 pm
  Ridgefield Library @ 21 Governor Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut
  Register online or call 203-438-2282
• Unlocking Creative Expression with Art and Poetry: A Workshop for EducatorsThursday, October 3, 4:30-6:30 pm
  The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum @ 258 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut
  Register online or call 203-438-4519
• Exploring the Languages of the Heart: A Poetry Performance
  Thursday, October 3, 7:00-8:00 pm (with light refreshments served from 6:30 to 7:00 pm)
  The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum @ 258 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut
  Register online or call 203-438-2282

Programs are free.  Please register early as space is limited.

Poet Anne F. O’Reilly will be “Creator in Residence” at the International Centre for Creativity and Imagination from September 25 to October 7, and will be leading a series of workshops and poetry performances while she is in Connecticut. She is based in Dublin, Ireland, and is the author of a print collection of poetry, Singing From the Belly of the Whale, a CD collection, Breathsong, and the book, Sacred Play: Soul-Journeys In Contemporary Irish Theatre. Anne will be a featured facilitator at "The Nature of Creativity" workshop on September 28 at South Kent School in Connecticut, as well. 

Irish Poet Anne F. O’Reilly to be Featured in “The Nature of Creativity” Workshop at South Kent School in Connecticut

The Center for Innovation at South Kent School is hosting “The Nature of Creativity” workshop, presented by the New Milford, Conn.-based International Centre for Creativity and Imagination. The workshop is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, and will take place at the Center for Innovation’s classroom at 170 South Kent Road in South Kent, Conn.

The workshop will feature Irish poet and teacher Anne F. O’Reilly and director of the International Centre for Creativity and Imagination Steven Dahlberg, along with several collaborators who will guide an exploration of how nature inspires us to be more creative. The workshop is open to everyone – from teachers, business people and artists to community leaders, environmentalists and individuals looking to create positive change. It starts with the premise that everyone is a creative being.

The event will take place at the new classroom at South Kent School’s Center for Innovation, where participants of the workshop will take part in experiential exercises to help them tap into and develop their creativity. They also will explore connections to how nature inspires the creative process and connect with others who are seeking purposeful engagement in their communities.

Using nature as a guide, participants will explore these themes – (re)discovering your capacity to be creative, cultivating a sense of place, fostering curiosity and wonder, discovering rhythm, valuing diversity, nurturing interconnectedness, awakening the senses, and more. Plus, they will learn how to overcome blocks to creativity, practices for accessing their creative inner nature, and ways for connecting beyond themselves to take action in their communities.

The day will conclude with a special event on “The Nature of Wine,” exploring the intersection of creativity, wine and the brain, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 28 at Hopkins Vineyard at 25 Hopkins Rd. in New Preston, Conn. The winemaker and winery manager will join Dahlberg and O’Reilly to continue exploring lessons and metaphors from nature that inspire creativity and learning. This event looks at how master sommeliers learn to understand wine, what’s happening in the brain when they taste wine, and how they transfer this knowledge and experience to others. Participants will look at, smell and taste wine as the experts do, sampling four Hopkins wines in the process. Registration information is at .

Poet Anne F. O’Reilly will be “Creator in Residence” at the International Centre for Creativity and Imagination from September 25 to October 7, and will be leading a series of workshops and poetry performances while she is in Connecticut. She is based in Dublin, Ireland, and is the author of a print collection of poetry, Singing From the Belly of the Whale, a CD collection, Breathsong, and the book, Sacred Play: Soul-Journeys In Contemporary Irish Theatre.

The Center for Innovation is located on the property adjoining South Kent School’s main campus in South Kent, Conn. Through its hands-on learning experiences and community outreach, the Center for Innovation encourages inquiry into the dynamic interplay between human creativity, intuition and sustainability.

To register and for more information, visit http://natureofcreativity.org/.

Finding Creative Inspiration From Nature

"Nature has a large potential for enhancing creativity. The reason seems to be that the feelings, which are enhancing creativity, are the same feelings which are evoked when one is in nature. Nature has the ability to set one in a state of mind which enhances creativity, because nature makes us feel open and unlimited, playful and excited, refocused and invigorated, calm and energized. At the same time nature can be a great source of direct inspiration, which also explains its ability to enhance creativity." - "Nature & Creativity: How and Why Nature Enhances Human Creativity," Master Thesis by Trine Plambach

On September 28, you can take part in a series of experiences designed to develop your personal creativity, taking inspiration from nature, as well as explore how you can connect your creative purpose with other people to cultivate new possibilities for yourself, your community and the earth. Facilitators include Irish poet Anne F. O'Reilly, creativity educator Steve Dahlberg and other collaborators. Find out more and register now for THE NATURE OF CREATIVITY: A ONE-DAY WORKSHOP ON HOW NATURE INSPIRES US TO BE MORE CREATIVE, at the Center for Innovation at South Kent School in Kent, Connecticut. The Center is the school's new farm-based "classroom" that encourages inquiry into the dynamic interplay between human creativity, intuition and sustainability. The day ends with a related event on "THE NATURE OF WINE," a special evening exploring the intersection of creativity, wine and the brain at Hopkins Vineyard.