Written by Sara McQuaid. Edited by Tvisha Shah Welcome back to the CCP Blog! Thank you so much for joining us and choosing to become a Changemaker in your community! At CCP, we are so proud of our art and mindfulness workshop programming. Why? Because being mindful of our surroundings is an excellent way to encourage personal development, strengthen our mental health and give ourselves the positive energy we need to enact real change in our communities. Our art and mindfulness workshops are one of our proudest achievements as an organization and they are a testament to our dedication to improving the lives of youth in our community. Thanks to our partnerships, we are able to deliver programming across the GTA and we are always excited to have new opportunities.
By giving youth essential mental health skills like mindfulness through creative expression, they develop powerful tactics to manage stress, navigate challenging life’s emotions, and learn emotional resilience. These skills are crucial in helping them cope with life's difficulties, reducing the risk of immense mental health crises. Healthy mindfulness practices, such as grounding techniques and creative outlets, enable youth to process trauma, anxiety, or depression in positive ways. When youth have the tools to regulate their emotions and strengthen their mental well-being, they are less likely to experience prolonged mental health struggles that can disrupt their ability to maintain stable housing, relationships, and employment. Developing emotional resilience through art and mindful workshops like ours plays a preventive role in addressing youth homelessness. Below we want to outline the steps you need to follow to host your own art and mindfulness workshop.
1. Planning and Preparation Define your purpose and plan using the following questions as a flow chart: - Who is your target audience? - What is the message of your workshop?
- What do you want participants to learn or create? - What materials will they use to create their art? Are they using acrylics, water paintings, finger painting pottery, chalk drawings or another medium of creation? - Will attendees be given a model to copy from or will they be encouraged to create their own art? This will also determine if you need to partner with an artist to help facilitate or if this is something you can present yourself. Decide if it’s a workshop where attendees copy a model of a photo or painting (structured) or if they are given prompts and more of a free-flow-atmosphere. Both options have their benefits. Structured workshops are great for those with little creative experience and can take the stress away of needing to “find” inspiration in the moment. Free-flow-flees can help attendees work with difficult inner feelings in a more calm manner without the pressure of producing a copy of the model. Whatever direction you choose to go, keep everything accessible by offering adaptive tools to match different needs. - How long will the workshop run? Choosing the targeted audience and workshop style in advance are the two most important factors when preparing because it will help you understand where and how the event will take place. Consider the unique challenges, interests, and goals of your participants. Are they coming from vulnerable backgrounds, such as at-risk youth or individuals experiencing mental health challenges? Understanding their emotional state and life experiences will help you tailor the activities, art materials, and overall environment to create a safe and inclusive space. New painters will require a model and may shy away from complicated processes. Inventory intensive workshops with lots of different paint or materials are best hosted inside where a light workshop with just paper and crayons can be held outside on a blanket.
Decide if it’s a workshop where attendees copy a model of a photo or painting (structured) or if they are given prompts and more of a free-flow-atmosphere. Both of them have their benefits. Structured workshops are great for those with little creative experience and can take the stress away of needing to “find” inspiration in the moment. Free-flow-flees can help attendees work with difficult inner feelings in a more calm manner. Whatever direction you choose to go, keep everything accessible by offering adaptive tools to match different needs.
2. Find your location
Choosing the right venue is essential! Having adequate space and light are important factors as it is difficult to be mindful when we are uncomfortable or cramped. Reliable access to water is key as art can be wonderful and messy. From here you can set your date, time and begin to finalize the workshop
3. Spread the word!
Find your participants and leverage the power of social media to advertise your event. If you are renting a space, speak with your coordinator about advertising support. Make your advertisement clear, easy to understand and highlight the benefits of the workshop to attendees.
4. Finalize the workshop schedule and write your script
We suggest creating an outline to use to create a smooth flow for the event. Start off by introducing attendees to the idea of mindfulness and be given a chance to create goals for themselves if they did not come prepared with some. Your script should serve as a guide, helping you stay on track while allowing room for flexibility and interaction with participants.
Here are some opening exercises you can try to help attendees “open up” and begin to explore their inner workings and what they want to learn during the workshops.
- Open with a moment of meditation
- Breathing exercises
- Stretches
- Listen to music
- Watch a video on mindfulness or another form of media to inspire creativity and relaxation
This is where you can also plan exactly what you want to say to participants. Review your notes from your planning and preparation. What is the message and meaning? How do you want to guide your attendees? Ensure to incorporate mindful awareness throughout the art process, like encouraging participants to focus on the feel of the brush or the colors they choose, to stay grounded in the moment.
5. Do a mock run of the workshop
Time permitting, it is absolutely encouraged to try the workshop with a friend to test out the process. Some paintings may take longer or shorter than others to create.
6. Get your materials
During the preparation period, begin a list of materials needed. Expect this list to continually grow throughout the planning process
Art Supplies: Depending on your chosen medium, you may need a variety of materials such as acrylic paints, watercolors, markers, pencils, or clay. Be mindful of accessibility—some participants may be new to certain art forms, so consider offering easier, more forgiving materials like crayons or pastels for beginners. Make sure to have extras on hand in case supplies run out or participants need more than expected.
Mindfulness Tools: If your workshop includes meditation or relaxation practices, think about what can enhance the experience. Yoga mats, cushions, or even small items like candles or essential oils can create a calming atmosphere. Ensure you have enough items for all participants to feel comfortable.
Space Setup: Don’t forget practical items like table coverings, aprons or smocks, and cleaning supplies to manage any potential mess. If you’re working with paint or other wet materials, consider water bowls or paper towels for quick cleanup. Having access to trash bins or recycling stations can also help keep the space organized and tidy.
Optional Materials: Depending on your audience, you might want to offer optional extras like journals for participants to reflect on their mindfulness journey, handouts with mindfulness exercises, or quotes to inspire creativity. If you're incorporating media, ensure you have the necessary technology like a projector, speakers, or a laptop.
7. Create a welcoming environment:
On the night before or day of the event, set the space up for success by focusing on creating a relaxing and safe environment. Art therapy is a powerful tool in realigning ourselves and mentally restructuring ourselves. Play calming music to help relax participants
8.Run your workshop and Have fun! Get plenty of sleep the night before, arrive early and be ready to go on a journey of self-reflection. Remember to enjoy yourself at the event too! Use your script to guide you or provide support for your programmer. Direct your attendees to resources they can use after the workshop if they need additional emotional support. CCP has our 31 days of Mindfulness Program if attendees mention wanting to explore more mindful activities. Running an art and mindfulness workshop can be a transformative experience for both you and your participants. The key to a successful workshop is careful planning, a welcoming environment, and an openness to the unique journeys of each participant. As you guide them through this experience, encourage self-reflection and create opportunities for personal growth.
Whether you're hosting a small gathering or a larger community event, these eight steps will help you create a meaningful creative experience that stays with attendees after they’ve left the venue. At CCP, we believe that when we nurture the mental health and creativity of youth, we empower them to overcome challenges and thrive. By offering workshops like these, you're contributing to that mission and helping to build stronger, more resilient communities. Thank you for joining us on this journey of mindfulness, creativity, and positive change! Please sign up to our mailer to learn about upcoming events and ways to get involved.
We can’t wait to see how you inspire change in your community!
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