By Lisa Browning
“To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.” ― Marilyn vos Savant
On the evening of April 14, close to 20 people gathered at The Hive, an arts collective and artisan shop on Cork Street in Guelph, for a presentation by two local authors, followed by some time to get creative!
Lisa Ivaldi, author of Insight Clarity Growth, and Judith Nicholson, author of Random Reflections, Random Thoughts & Photos, and Moments in Time, spoke about their books from the vantage point of being mindful—being present in a sometimes very challenging world. Having published all of their books, I found it interesting to note, during their presentations, that their approaches, to mindfulness and to the creation of their books, are opposite to each other. While Judith starts with a photograph—a scene that more often than not stops her while out driving in her car and results in a photo taken on her phone, Lisa starts with a concept—an idea that she writes about, then finds a photo to go with it.
When asked about her books, Judith had this to say: “My books reflect being present and aware of my surroundings – a mix of observation and imagination as the interpreter of what I see. The natural world can soothe us in times of grief or despair, as well as pique our curiosity.”
Both Lisa’s and Judith’s books are beautiful … and it was their beauty that gave me the idea of providing the images contained in them as the starting point of each collage. It was heartwarming to watch not only the creations come to life, but also the connection between attendees, as they worked side by side.
Loralie Coles-Broderick was one of those attendees, and had this to say about the experience: “What a fun-filled evening of meeting new people and collage therapy. The presenters were interesting, personable, and each in their own way got us thinking. The Hive is a great little shop with such welcoming hosts.”
Another attendee stated that the event was exactly what they needed … that they hadn’t been creative in awhile and it felt good.
I am always inspired by storytelling, and I think that adding creativity to the mix can bring even deeper meaning … especially in a location filled with the work of local artisans. I am grateful to The Hive for providing the space for this event.
Here’s what Judith and Lisa had to say in response to my request for feedback on the evening:
“The event at the Hive, which I was privileged to attend, was very enlightening. Complete strangers discovered they shared many similar views and characteristics. Friendships were formed. It was fun to see each collage develop its uniqueness using the observations and imagination of its creator.” (Judith)
“I loved seeing the connections and conversations between community members who didn’t know each other before that evening. I think it was cathartic for many.” (Lisa)We are hoping to offer a second evening, this time at Kirtida Kitchen, for those who were unable to attend The Hive event (or for those who’d like to do it again!). If you would be interested in attending, please email [email protected].
