The Art of Being

Creativity • Self-Discovery • Connection
A Monthly Art Therapy & Creative Exploration Series at Leighton Art Centre

October 18 | November 8 | December 6 | January 10
1:00–3:00 PM

The Art of Being is an invitation to step away from the busyness of everyday life, slow down, reconnect with yourself, and explore through creativity.

Each monthly gathering offers a different art therapy and self-discovery experience, weaving together art-making, imagery, reflection, mindfulness and gentle somatic practices. Rather than focusing on artistic skill or producing a particular finished piece, the emphasis is on the creative process itself — what we notice, what emerges, and what we may discover when we give ourselves time and space to listen inwardly.

Charmaine’s workshops often begin with grounding, mindfulness or meditation to help participants settle into the body, quiet some of the external noise, and arrive more fully in the present moment. From there, participants are guided through a creative process using a variety of art materials, symbols, imagery and reflective prompts.

The experience is designed to be accessible and supportive. You do not need to consider yourself creative or artistic, and no previous art experience is required. There is no “right” way for the artwork to look. Curiosity, experimentation and personal meaning are far more important than artistic technique.

Through these workshops, participants may have an opportunity to:

• slow down and experience greater relaxation and presence
• reconnect with creativity and play
• explore emotions, experiences and aspects of self that can sometimes be difficult to put into words
• deepen self-awareness and connection with the body
• discover personal imagery, symbols and inner resources
• experience meaningful connection with others through shared creative space
• make time for reflection, curiosity and personal growth

Each session stands on its own, so you are very welcome to attend a single workshop. For those who choose to return, the four gatherings can also become a deeper creative journey — an opportunity to continue exploring different aspects of yourself while becoming part of an ongoing creative community.

The setting of Leighton Art Centre offers something special to the experience as well: space away from the city, surrounded by art, landscape and history, where participants can slow down and make room for something different.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy combines the creative process with psychological and therapeutic approaches to support self-awareness, emotional expression and wellbeing. The focus is not on making “good art,” but on what can be discovered through the process of creating.

In Charmaine’s workshops, art-making is combined with mindfulness, meditation and gentle somatic practices to help participants settle into the body and create a greater sense of relaxation and presence. This whole-person approach can support deeper reflection, self-connection and a more embodied creative experience.

Who is this for?

The Art of Being is for anyone who is curious about creativity, self-discovery, mindfulness or art therapy and would like to make more intentional space for themselves.

You may come because you love making art, because you have not made art since childhood, because you are looking for a different way to reflect, or simply because spending a quiet afternoon creating in community sounds nourishing.

Come for one workshop or join us for the full series.

Your Facilitator:

Charmaine Husum, RCAT-S, RCS, DKATI, MTC, CT, is a Registered Canadian Art Therapist, Somatic Counsellor, clinical supervisor, artist, author, educator and international presenter. She is the founder of Centre of the HeArt in Calgary, where she offers art therapy, somatic counselling, workshops, clinical supervision and professional training.

For more than a decade, Charmaine has used creativity, mindfulness and body-based approaches to support people in exploring themselves more deeply, working with life experiences, and reconnecting with their own inner resources. Her work integrates clinical art therapy, somatic practices, IFS-informed parts work and transpersonal psychology.

She is the author of Psychedelics and Art Therapy: A Trauma-Informed Manual for Somatic Self-Discovery (Routledge, 2025) and Sacred Geometry Visionary Art: Coloring Book. She teaches and presents in Canada and internationally and is passionate about making art therapy approachable, meaningful and accessible — no previous art experience required.

www.centreoftheheart.com