UPCOMING PROGRAMS

August – January 2024

Transformation Project

Workshops

The NOpiates Committee, Arts Letters & Numbers, Sand Lake Center for the Arts, the Rensselaer County Mental Health-Student Assistance Program

The Transformation Project is a collaborative effort involving the NOpiates Committee, Arts Letters & Numbers, Sand Lake Center for the Arts, the Rensselaer County Mental Health-Student Assistance Program, the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office, and local artists. The project aims to promote awareness, support, hope, and recovery in response to substance use disorder (SUD) and its impact on individuals, families, and communities, fostering healing through artistic expression.

That year’s initiative included an open call for art to be exhibited and performed at Arts Letters & Numbers and Sand Lake Center for the Arts, as well as in-person workshops facilitated by local artists. These workshops were open to individuals of all ages affected by SUD. The workshops encompassed art, music, movement, and writing. Through creativity, participants engaged in introspection and cultivated connections with others.

The project played a crucial role in building supportive communities that transcended age, values, and beliefs. It provided a safe space for expression and shed light on the hardships, shame, and stigma often felt by those affected by addiction. The collaboration between organizations offered a unique opportunity to bridge communities, bringing together individuals and families affected by SUD and those who wished to be allies.

The workshops took place between August and November 2024 and were designed to emphasize the process of making and exploring. Artworks created during the workshops were eligible for submission to the Transformation Project show in December. All workshops required advance registration, and spaces were limited. Attendance at the workshops was free of charge.

  • Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm & Tuesday, October 29, 6-8pm

    Type: On-site, Non-Residency

    Notes: This is an on-site program with one or two workshop sessions. Participants may attend one or both sessions.

    This will be a two-hour workshop. We will begin the session with an hour long hatha yoga practice. The class will include pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation. A special focus will be devoted to the chakras (energy centers in the body) as well as yoga philosophy to help steady the mind. This will be an all levels class with plenty of modifications offered.

    The second part of the workshop will be devoted to journaling, with prompts given that encompass traditional yoga texts and contemporary literature, we will work on self-exploration and self-expression.Sixty minutes will be focused on  journaling and potential sharing with the group. We will have time to process our asana practice- how we feel in our bodies as well as how we feel emotionally. We will work to identify mantra and positive self-talk that improves our motivation and healing when we feel stuck and distressed.

    Kim Favro is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200)/Certified 500 Hr. Yoga Teacher). She has been teaching privately and in the school system since 2017. As a counselor working in the field of mental health and addiction for 15 years, she greatly values the benefits and teachings of yoga as it pertains to healing and recovery. Having a consistent yoga practice can improve our mental health and help us navigate challenging situations and effectively limit triggering, unhelpful thought patterns. Kim has a passion for sharing yoga in the community and with her background as a restorative justice circle trainer and facilitator, she works to enhance our sense of connection and collective wisdom. She also believes that yoga and creative writing are a great combination and approach to a more well balanced mindfulness practice. 

  • Dates: October 6, 2024, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm , October 20, 2024, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm & December 8, 2024, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

    Type: On-site, Non-Residency

    Notes: The workshops will take place on-site at Arts Letters & Numbers

    In the workshop, participants will engage in a journey of artistic project development, guided by socially engaged artist Frida Foberg. Whether you're an established artist or a first-time creator, this workshop is designed to help you move past creative blocks and develop works that are deeply connected to your personal experiences and stories. Over a series of sessions, you will dive into your individual projects within a supportive group setting at Arts Letters & Numbers.

    Each session is structured to foster both individual creativity and collective learning. You will have the opportunity to share your ideas, receive feedback, and gain insights from others, all while progressing in your project. The workshop encourages active participation, with sessions that include time for tuning in, focused work, and reflection. Between sessions, you'll be encouraged to continue working on your project and can freely communicate with Frida for additional guidance.

    This workshop is a space for relationship building, where you’ll meet other creators, explore your ideas, and begin the process of bringing them to life. As part of The Transformation Project, this experience is not just about art—it's about healing, connection, and creating work that resonates with your life and the world around you. By the end of the workshop, you'll have developed a meaningful project and gained valuable skills in project planning, storytelling, and artistic expression.

    Frida Foberg is a Swedish community-oriented artist and architect based in Brooklyn, NY, holding an MA in Architecture from Aarhus School of Architecture. Her multidisciplinary work explores the relationship between self and others, focusing on creating environments that encourage the exploration of individual and shared stories. With years of experience at Arts Letters & Numbers, Frida has created educational spaces that foster both personal and collective growth. Her work has been exhibited at prestigious venues worldwide, including the Venice Biennale and Liljevalchs. She has collaborated with notable figures and organizations, such as Vito Acconci, UNICEF, and Art Council Korea.

  • Date: November 10, 2pm

    Type: On-site, Non-Residency

    Notes: The workshop dates are to be determined, with at least 2 weeks planned between the workshop and the performance at the Transformation Project opening.

    John introduces himself by briefly sharing his recovery story and playing a song. Through a series of writing exercises, participants are led through an introspective process designed to deepen their understanding of recovery. Attendees are invited to share their writing in a safe and supportive space. They then work together to create lyrics for a new original recovery song. John closes by performing a recovery song that was written at a previous workshop.

    In his home studio, John edits the lyrics, writes music, records the collaborative song, and delivers it to the participants via email. He will perform the original song at the Transformation Project opening celebration.

    John Dillon is an accomplished singer-songwriter, author, and producer who began his recovery journey in 1992. He is recognized for his work as co-host and producer of Art of the Song, a syndicated radio program about songwriting and creativity. His book The 20-20 Creativity Solution gives readers a step-by-step process to enhance their creativity. John’s fourth studio CD, HOPE ROAD, chronicles his journey through addiction and recovery. In 2024, he released The Lighthouse Project, a collection of songs written in collaboration with folks in early recovery. John performs concerts and leads writing workshops at treatment and recovery centers throughout the Northeastern US.

  • Date: November 16, 1-4pm

    Type: On-site, Non-Residency

    Notes: The workshop includes hands-on art activities like Shibori indigo dyeing and watercolor painting with flower pigments. The participants' contributions will be part of a collective artwork, culminating in a collaborative quilt project displayed at the Transformation Project exhibition, December 14-21, 2024.

    In the Embodied Care & Colors Workshop, participants will embark on a journey of personal and communal transformation through creative expression. They will experience a deep connection with their bodies and fellow group members, beginning with activities designed to calm the nervous system and ease them into a space of openness and trust. Through guided movement, writing, and discussion, participants will build a foundation of safety and community, allowing them to engage fully in the creative process.

    As participants explore the tactile art of Shibori indigo dyeing, they’ll discover how the physical act of binding, clamping, and folding fabric mirrors the processes of transformation in their own lives. This hands-on experience encourages reflection, helping them to witness and appreciate the changes they undergo, both in the workshop and beyond. By working with natural elements like indigo and flower pigments, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between light and dark, joy and struggle, and how these dualities shape their identities.

    In the final phase of the workshop, participants' contributions will become part of a collective artwork that symbolizes the shared journey of the group. By creating a piece of this communal quilt and sharing their personal reflections, participants will not only express their unique experiences but also contribute to a larger conversation about wholeness, resilience, and community. Throughout the workshop, they will develop skills in self-grounding, creative expression, and collaborative creation, leaving with lasting tools for personal and communal healing.

  • Date: Sunday, Sept. 29th, 2024, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

    Type: Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Non-Residency

    Notes: In this workshop, participants will explore personal and global themes through the creative expression of poetry. The program focuses on reflection and creative writing, helping participants develop a deeper understanding of their inner and outer worlds. They will connect personal experiences to poetry and learn to articulate those experiences creatively. The workshop fosters a supportive environment, allowing participants to share their unique perspectives and contribute to a larger conversation about the human experience.

    Participants will leave with enhanced skills in creative writing, self-expression, and the ability to interpret the world through the lens of poetry. Additionally, they will experience the value of community engagement through shared reflection and artistic growth.

    Deliverables: The program culminates in a public reading or presentation where participants will share their poetic works, allowing the community to engage with the creative outcomes of the workshop.

  • Date: November 23, 12-3 PM

    Type: On-site, Non-Residency

    Notes: This workshop will focus on the fundamentals of playwriting, from formatting and brainstorming to crafting dialogue through interactive exercises. It is open to a diverse audience, ranging from middle school students to senior citizens.

    Description:
    In the Intro to Playwriting Workshop, participants will explore the essential elements of playwriting in a supportive and creative environment. Led by Brian Sheldon, the Executive Director of the Sand Lake Center for the Arts, this workshop will cover formatting, brainstorming techniques, and dialogue crafting through play and improvisation. Participants will be encouraged to bring laptops for writing, though pens, pencils, and paper will be provided. This is a valuable opportunity for anyone interested in taking their first steps toward writing for the stage.

  • Date: October 5, 12-2 PM

    Type: On-site, Non-Residency

    Notes: The workshop will provide participants of all ages with the opportunity to create unique pieces of string art using simple tools like hammers, nails, and string. It encourages a collaborative atmosphere where younger participants are invited to bring their parents.

    Description:
    In this interactive String Art Workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of string art while creating their own unique pieces. Guided by Barb Berti, a passionate crafter and retired nurse, attendees will engage in hands-on art-making, fostering creativity and collaboration. No prior experience is needed, making this workshop an accessible introduction to the art form. Participants will leave with their own string art creations, enhancing their confidence and enjoyment in creative expression.

  • Description coming soon...

The NOpiates Committee is committed to raising awareness of the opioid epidemic, providing support, and advocating for those affected by SUD. Sand Lake Center for the Arts works to enrich community life and human understanding by fostering the discovery, appreciation, and creation of the arts through education and engagement by both practicing artists and the broader community. Arts Letters & Numbers mission is to promote creative exchanges between a broad spectrum of voices, allowing people and their works to listen to each other. The Renss. County Mental Health - Student Assistance Program team are Master Level Substance Abuse Prevention counselors, positioned throughout the six school districts in Rensselaer county, utilizing science based programming. All the organizations involved share the mission of making individuals feel seen and cared for.

This initiative is made possible through donations from Doors of Hope and the Arts Thrive and Grow grant. Arts Thrive and Grow has been funded by New York State, Kathy Hochul, Governor. We thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins for her extraordinary commitment and leadership, and our elected officials who represent our grantmaking region: Senators Jake Ashby and Neil D. Breslin; Assemblymembers Scott H. Bendett, Patricia Fahy, John T. McDonald III, Angelo Santabarbara, Phil Steck, and Mary Beth Walsh.