SPIRAL ECO-ART WORKSHOPS
Spiral workshops may be stand-alone events and activities, or offered as a part of the SOS Eco-Resilience project.
The gallery page is best viewed on a large screen.
The gallery page is best viewed on a large screen.
SPIRAL ECO-ART WORKSHOPS
Spiral Eco-Art Workshops are an immersive experience combining principles of The Work That Reconnects and eco-art therapy.
These workshop experiences offer participants a transformative journey using natural materials to foster a deeper connection with themselves, each other and our natural environment.
Spiral eco-art workshops were devised by artist and eco-art facilitator, Karen Hopkins and ecopsychologist & eco-art therapist, Deb Punton. This was in response to facilitating Active Hope book study groups and participating in the Active Hope journey. The first eco-art spiral workshop that Karen and Deb facilitated was "Spiral Symbiocene Visions' as part of the artist, Karen Hopkins ‘Symbioscenes' art exhibition at Gasworks Arts Park in 2021. This workshop aimed to bring a sense of hope after long periods of uncertainty with the covid lockdowns in Melbourne/Naarm. Since then Karen and Deb have facilitated New Year Spiral Retreat and several other workshops adapting the format to suit different challenges and themes, groups and age ranges.
The Work That Reconnects spiral, developed by Joanna Macy, guides us through four stages of the spiral: Gratitude, Honoring Our Pain for the World, Seeing with New Eyes, and Going Forth. Joanna Macy’s The Work That Reconnects has inspired many people around the world for decades. The spiral framework helps individuals source appreciation, confront challenges, find resilience, and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose.
Incorporating eco-art therapy into the spiral of The Work That Reconnects, participants are encouraged to create a spiral-shaped artwork using materials found in nature, such as leaves, shells, feathers, stones, seeds and branches. This practice not only promotes mindfulness and creativity, but also strengthens the bond between the individual and the natural world, the group members, and offers time for self-reflection which may lead to greater sense of wellbeing and deeper personal insights.
No art experience is required to participate.
Come PLAY!
These workshop experiences offer participants a transformative journey using natural materials to foster a deeper connection with themselves, each other and our natural environment.
Spiral eco-art workshops were devised by artist and eco-art facilitator, Karen Hopkins and ecopsychologist & eco-art therapist, Deb Punton. This was in response to facilitating Active Hope book study groups and participating in the Active Hope journey. The first eco-art spiral workshop that Karen and Deb facilitated was "Spiral Symbiocene Visions' as part of the artist, Karen Hopkins ‘Symbioscenes' art exhibition at Gasworks Arts Park in 2021. This workshop aimed to bring a sense of hope after long periods of uncertainty with the covid lockdowns in Melbourne/Naarm. Since then Karen and Deb have facilitated New Year Spiral Retreat and several other workshops adapting the format to suit different challenges and themes, groups and age ranges.
The Work That Reconnects spiral, developed by Joanna Macy, guides us through four stages of the spiral: Gratitude, Honoring Our Pain for the World, Seeing with New Eyes, and Going Forth. Joanna Macy’s The Work That Reconnects has inspired many people around the world for decades. The spiral framework helps individuals source appreciation, confront challenges, find resilience, and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose.
Incorporating eco-art therapy into the spiral of The Work That Reconnects, participants are encouraged to create a spiral-shaped artwork using materials found in nature, such as leaves, shells, feathers, stones, seeds and branches. This practice not only promotes mindfulness and creativity, but also strengthens the bond between the individual and the natural world, the group members, and offers time for self-reflection which may lead to greater sense of wellbeing and deeper personal insights.
No art experience is required to participate.
Come PLAY!
REFLECTIONS
"I really enjoyed the workshop as whole. I particularly loved the repeated ritual of choosing an object and creating the spiral together. Overall, you created a very nourishing and nurturing space. A wonderful variety of activities, with a good balance between sharing and personal reflection. Loved it!"- Participant 2024
"I hold what happened with in this workshop very close to my heart. I really want to honor the work and I feel it was so deep I have committed to the commitments I made to myself during the retreat." - Particiipant, New Years Retreat Spiral Workshop, 2024
I found it so useful. It made me realise things about last year that I simply hadn’t considered and helped me see both the highs and lows in a constructive manner. It also helped me clarify some thoughts I have about the current year. Deb and Karen were the perfect double act; warm, thoughtful, wise and organised! It was a wonderful experience!" - Participant, New Years Retreat Spiral Workshop, 2024
"I hold what happened with in this workshop very close to my heart. I really want to honor the work and I feel it was so deep I have committed to the commitments I made to myself during the retreat." - Particiipant, New Years Retreat Spiral Workshop, 2024
I found it so useful. It made me realise things about last year that I simply hadn’t considered and helped me see both the highs and lows in a constructive manner. It also helped me clarify some thoughts I have about the current year. Deb and Karen were the perfect double act; warm, thoughtful, wise and organised! It was a wonderful experience!" - Participant, New Years Retreat Spiral Workshop, 2024
FACILITATORS
Deborah Punton is an Ecopsychologist, Eco-Art Facilitator, Environment Educator, Permaculture Educator, and Landscape Designer living in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia. Deb utilises the transformative and healing power of gardening, education, and immersive Greensong events, projects, and workshops to inspire and nurture bonds between individuals and our natural world. Please contact if you would like to have a chat. Deb enjoys working on eco-art projects with other artists and has collaborated several times with Karen Hopkins on eco-art projects and events.
Karen Hopkins is an artist and eco-art facilitator living in Naarm/Melbourne. Love, respect of nature is a constant inspiration in Karen’s artwork. Karen facilitates workshops for children and adults, please contact her for more information, to view her artwork, and inquire about workshops: www.karenhopkinsart.com
Karen Hopkins is an artist and eco-art facilitator living in Naarm/Melbourne. Love, respect of nature is a constant inspiration in Karen’s artwork. Karen facilitates workshops for children and adults, please contact her for more information, to view her artwork, and inquire about workshops: www.karenhopkinsart.com