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River of Tears: A Climate Grief Workshop

An Immersive Art-Making Ritual with Artist Elyse Hochstadt

A hands-on wet felting workshop focused on addressing climate grief through art making, ritual, and community.

River of Tears is artist Elyse Hochstadt’s response to the grief and feelings of isolation she experiences around climate change. It is born from the belief that art is a way to express the unspeakable and that a type of relief can be found by creating in community.

In this workshop we will create a safe and sacred space in which you will guided to explore your personal grief and anxiety as they relate to the changing climate.
This exploration happens individually, mostly in silence through the process of wet felting a tear.

We will come together in circle after your tear is complete and you will have the opportunity to share your experience and what it means to you with the group.
While verbal sharing is not required, participation through active and respectful listening to those who feel called to share is.

The tear you create is meant to hold your grief and will become part of the River of Tears sculpture; a living memorial in recognition of this unique and uncertain moment in time.

Here are a few more details about the workshop:

• Our ritual is co-facilitated by Certified Grief Recovery Specialist Elle McSharry
• No felting experience is needed
• All felting materials will be provided
• Felting is mostly done standing, wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
• We will sit in circle on the floor and do some breath work and light stretching.
• We will have some yoga mats, blankets and pillows but encourage you to bring your own.
• Tea and light snacks will be provided. We encourage you to bring a water bottle and snacks.
• Additional information will be emailed to you after registration.

Disclaimer: This workshop is intended to provide a supportive place for participants to address the grief they feel about climate change. While we will be doing activities that expressly address grief, this is not a grief group and it is not therapy. Elle McSharry is a Grief Recovery Specialist certified by The Grief Recovery Method Institute and not a mental health counselor.

This workshop is a good fit for you if:

• you're feeling grief about the changing climate
• you want to be in a supportive workshop with other grievers
• you want to try something new
• you can commit to attending the half-day workshop
• you are 18 years or older

This workshop is not a good fit for you if:

• you're in crisis
• you want ongoing grief support
• you can't commit to the entire workshop time
• you are under 18 years of age

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We strive to make events welcoming for people of all abilities. To request accommodations (i.e. hearing assistance, ASL requests, or other ADA inquiries), call the library at 509-444-5308.

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