Narrative Cartography at the Inverness A-Frame
Sunday, June 23, 1 PM – 6:30 PM
Inverness, CA
Holos Institute invites you to join The Art of Shmee on a path of enchantment guided by embodied mindfulness and art-based self-inquiry. We gather on occupied Coast Miwok territory in deep respect of the living wisdom keepers indigenous to this region, and the lineage of sovereign ancestral tenders of earth and tradition.
Narrative Cartography is the interweaving of story and map. Whether lived or literary, plot lines connect storylines and unearth the myriad of relationships alive in our environments. The goal of this creative practice is to observe and make meaning of these relationships, and to enliven a sense of self within the web of life. By inviting the more-than-human world to co-author the narratives of life, we call upon perspectives beyond our own, and create an opportunity to see with new eyes.
Using the Field Notes Workbook as a guide, this practice encourages the widening of awareness to include self-reflective and sensory experiences over the course of a 2 hour outdoor excursion. The workbook is comprised of prompts that encourage each participant to track both inner and outer experience and record their observations of multi-sensory interactions with their surroundings. These moments of mindfulness are then transcribed onto a map of the area through a process of visual story telling.
This event is hosted by the Inverness A-Frame, a restorative, healing space that offers nature therapy, arts workshops, and personal retreats in a forested setting of Bay Trees, Redwoods, and Mature Oaks.
S. Shmee is a queer intermedia artist, storyteller and educator whose work is driven by a commitment to the creative process and the potential it holds for enrichment. Shmee offers art-based interventions in higher education, at public events, and alongside therapeutic and rite of passage practices through The Art of Shmee. These programs use mindfulness, embodiment, and creative play for self-inquiry, story weaving and community building.
Shmee’s original works have been seen at the Bioneers conference, the conference for the International Association for the Study of Dreams, the Women’s Visionary Congress, the SF Fringe Festival, Cucalores Film Festival, and Figment Arts, among others. With a BA in Film Studies and MA in Depth Psychology in progress, Shmee’s passion for storytelling spans from personal narrative to cultural mythology and fosters a commitment to the myriad of tales of our time.
The Field Notes Workbook for Narrative Cartography was developed in 2018 for a master’s-level qualitative research self-study at Sonoma State University. Driven by the question, “how can a holistic sense of self, inclusive of the more-than-human world, be explored?” and informed by Jung’s theory of cognitive functions, somatic psychology, and narrative cartography, the Field Notes Workbook and accompanying activities are intended to inspire curiosity and deepen a reflective relationship with the web of life.
Event Logistics:
After a walk through neighboring trails and open spaces, we will gather at the Inverness A-Frame for a shared meal and creative process. The address will be provided at registration.
A warm meal and snacks will be offered after the walk.
Art materials will be included.
This event assumes that you are in reasonable health and can manage to walk 2 – 3 miles minimum on slightly sloping terrain. Most of the day will be spent outside. All backgrounds welcome; no artistic or naturalist experience is needed.
You will receive an email with detailed directions and suggestions on how to prepare for the day one week in advance.
Fee: Our sliding scale is shaped around the formation of community.
Registration for 1 – $80
Registration for 2 – $140 ($70 / each)
Registration for 3 – $200 ($66 / each)
Please contact Shmee if this event is cost-prohibitive and we can discuss the possibility of work/trade arrangements.
CANCELLATIONS:
Refunds minus $25 processing fee for cancellation requests received (via email) BEFORE June 15.
No refunds for cancellations received on or after June 15.
No exceptions, please.