Are you curious?
Cindy on April 11th, 2009
“Curiosity is the very basis of education, and if you tell me that curiosity killed the cat, I’ll say the cat died nobly.” — Arnold Edinborough
The students in my essay workshops never fail to inspire me with their courage — and their curiosity. They’re employed in every field imaginable, from carpentry to medicine, and they want to expand their creativity through writing and sharing personal stories. As one writer told me in class last week, “I’m pushing way beyond my comfort zone, but I want to see where this will take me.” I so admire that!
I’ve been teaching writing and creativity workshops for several years — and loving every minute. But it’s been way too long since I’ve taken a taken a class myself. It’s time to push past my own comfort zone. I’m always refueled by the creative energy that sparks when people gather in a classroom to explore a new craft or topic. And I love being a student.
Spring is the ideal time for personal renewal and creative jump-starts, so I’m super-excited about the two classes I’m taking this week. On Thursday I begin “The Artist’s Way,” a seven-week program based on the landmark book by Julia Cameron. (I read it a while ago, but never made time to do all the exercises.) The second class, taught by book arts instructor Donna Engstrom, is a two-weekend workshop focusing on mixed-media assemblage. It’s titled “Honor the Inner Voice” — so how could I resist? Both classes are offered at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center.
I hope these new classes will inspire me to look at my world in new ways — and satisfy some of my creative curiosity. What dreams do you hope to refuel and renew this spring? — CL
–Photo of Jack B. Nimble by Cindy La Ferle —
