As part of their Creativity Exploration series, the NSU Art Museum is hosting a Positivity and Patterns session March 9 from 12 – 1:30 p.m. President of the Florida Arts Education Association Lark Keeler will teach participants about Huichol Mexican art while making Ojos de Dios, “God’s Eyes,” a spiritual protective charm woven upon a wooden cross.
Keeler said that the Huichol called these Ojos de Dios “Sikuli” meaning, “The power to see and understand things unknown.”
As part of the process, students will participate in practicing mindfulness to open up to the unknown and then learn different yarn and weaving techniques that will, hopefully, “syncopate with [their] own rhythms that [they] internally house in our body systems.”
According to Keeler, a study by Drexel University revealed that spending only 45 minutes on creativity a day reduces cortisol levels, a hormone related to stress. Additionally, the Creativity Exploration sessions help contribute to an attitude of mindfulness.
As a certified and licensed mindfulness specialist, Keeler said, “Mindfulness is basically bringing your complete attention to the moment. It’s a focused awareness — staying relaxed and alert at the same time, and it partners beautifully with art-making because in every moment making art, you are consciously making a decision and a choice. Being more aware of that is what I try to integrate into those classrooms at the museum.”
With Positivity and Patterns, Keeler hopes to inspire a growth mindset that reaches beyond the bounds of art and into the daily lives of her students.
Other benefits of participating in the course include being able to partake in self-expression and being able to give some of your time back to yourself and express self-gratitude amidst what Keeler deemed “the busy hubbub of our lives.” Participating in the artistic program will help students to refine their senses, and Keeler expressed hope the classes would both reenergize her students’ spirits and raise their awareness, passion and attitude of gratitude.
Freshman Samantha Langmaack, communication major, said, “I definitely think it’s a good way for students to decrease their stress while engaging in creative situations. I am interested in it, and I believe that, as someone who does enjoy crocheting, that it could be beneficial to some people who don’t already know that it can help reduce your stress.”
Keeler also expressed her excitement about these sessions, and mentioned that they have been extremely well received with all but one session selling out. The event costs $10 to attend. For anyone interested in Positivity and Patterns, Keeler said that students should be sure to RSVP as early as possible to secure a spot by calling 954-262-0258 or visiting web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/1004426.
