Summer Week 2 | Contemplative Artists in Action

This week-long course is part of our Summer Program, beginning on Sunday, June 21st and ending on Saturday, June 27th. Class takes place Monday morning through Friday morning, with additional programming on Sunday and Saturday.

The spiritual lives, works, and activism of twentieth century artists inspire this soulful, retreat-like course.  Morning presentations direct each day’s work, introducing a new theme and art medium of paint, drawing, collage, found objects, and mandala. Students close their individual, quiet work time each day by coming together and learning  from the process as a group. By week’s end, each will take away a personal journal of their artworks and writings, including tools to continue their learned art and faith  practices at home.

This course offers a spacious and grounded invitation to artists seeking to reflect, listen, and respond thoughtfully in a complex civic moment. Guided by Carla Orlando, spiritual director, participants will explore democracy as a spiritual practice—one rooted in attention, responsibility, courage, and care for the common good. Through shared contemplation, gentle reflection, and guided grounding practices, the class will consider how artists have been called to action across history, engaging with examples of protest art and socially activated artists who responded with clarity and integrity in their own times. Rather than rushing toward reaction, this course emphasizes discernment: making space to ask how we are being invited to show up now, with wisdom, compassion, and creative intention. Open to artists of all disciplines, this class offers a supportive container for reflection, resilience, and purposeful presence.

What creative modalities are used in this course?

Writing, mixed media

What will class time be like?

Students can expect morning presentations from Carla, meditative and reflective time, as well as space for mixed media explorations. 

Will I need to work outside of class?

Working outside of class is not necessary.

Do I need experience to take this class?

This course is open to all experience levels, beginners encouraged.

What do I need to bring to class?

All supplies will be provided.