Stories touch the hearts of adults as well as children. In these workshops, participants use the images in a story to create a piece of art that expresses personal connections with the story. Making art in this way eases stress, creates community and allows for individual expression that can develop a more creative response to other aspects of daily life.

This program was originally funded in part by the Dutchess County Arts Council. The library liked it so much that they continued it.

Possible programs include:

A Portfolio of Wishes
A story of wishes and dreams becomes the inspiration for a handmade starburst book. Lorraine tells a story, uses guided imagery to focus on specific images and then introduces participants to design elements of a simple book.

A Mother's Quest - A Story Inspired Artful Journey
A collaboration of Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi and Johanne Renbeck. As Lorraine tells this journey tale from Scotland, workshop participants engage in expressive gestural drawing techniques to create images for their books. The enchanted world of magical music, fairies, harps, and feather capes provide a rich vocabulary of images for workshop participants.

A double accordion book format allows for many variations and innovations in the visual retelling of the story. Each book reflects story elements of particular resonance for its maker. Each book offers a unique and intriguing world to explore. What delight it is to make art in community.

See My Story
A story of remembrance allows participants to create a “keepsake vessel” expressing favorite memories. Lorraine will work with participants to elicit memories and encourage them to share stories. Using old photographs and personal memorabilia participants will develop an individualized memory container.

Guardian Spirit Dolls
Unwind with a good story and connect with your creativity. Storyteller Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi will help participants craft a unique guardian spirit doll based on images from an ancient Japanese story about generosity and compassion. Lorraine will provide the doll’s form for participants to stuff and embellish with lace, buttons, string, ribbon and yarn. Participants are encouraged to bring similar materials from home to create an individual piece of art that has personal significance.

Illuminaries
A personal story becomes the inspiration for this self-portrait collage. Using simple drawing materials, words, markers, fabric and personal memories and memorabilia, participants will assemble an individualized collage expressing a quality they admire. Participants are encouraged to bring family photos, keepsakes, mementos, fabric scraps.

Transformation and Revelation
Storyteller Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi shares the Russian fairy tale Vasilisa the Wise. Using images from the story, she will briefly engage participants in a discussion about change and identity. Using these insights and simple materials, she will help participants create a self-portrait by making an inside-out box! Bring photos, poems and other personal memorabilia as well as an old magazine or two to share.

That This Day Will Never Come Again Is What Makes Life So Sweet
A memory gathering workshop designed to help adults explore their own stories and learn ways to share them with friends and family.