Classes
sign up form below class descriptions
Plein Air Poetry
with Mary Ledvina
sliding scale $40-$50
(sign up on form below)
Saturday, October 13, 1-3 pm at Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Class will take place outdoors.
(If inclement weather in conservatory)
Would you like to experience writing poetry while being in nature? Would you like to commune with other writers in the outdoors? Would you like to be inspired by nature poets and understand how to use that inspiration to expand your thoughts?
“…take the first step—away from the materially bound and self-interested lives, toward the trees, and the waterfall.” —Mary Oliver
“Good writing is ‘wild’ language.” —Gary Snyder
Go out with me into the wild world to give some wildness to your writing. We will find a spot or spots to be in nature and use prompts for poem writing as well as hear some examples and some of the processes of nature poets. You can live an hour as a nature poet and have epiphanies and deep thoughts under the trees.
Nature Journaling
With Mary Ledvina
6-week class, Wed nights 6-8 pm,
Sep 1-Oct 23 (skip Oct 2)
at Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Class will take place outdoors.
(If inclement weather in conservatory)
Sliding scale $240-$300
Do you want to connect with nature through writing and art? Do you want to learn simple journaling prompts and ways to do art that are especially conducive to being outside? Do you want to be in a small community that shares their experiences of nature connections?
Experience being in nature while we write, draw, paint, then share. Be guided how to notice, ponder, and make connections with nature through writing along with how to “cloud log”, make a map, press flowers, do diagrammatic drawings and more.
“To see a bird and stop, watch, feel, forget yourself for a moment, be in the bushy shadows,
Maybe then feel ‘wren’—that is to have joined a moment with the larger world.” —Gary Synder
One-on-one Journaling sessions
Do you want listen to your still small inner voice and take notes on what your heart tells you? Do you yearn to express yourself with the written word? Try one-on-one Journaling sessions. Get in touch with yourself through writing. These individualized sessions can help you realize a practice of writing for yourself. Choose to learn timed writing, list making, receiving guidance, poetry, memoir, fiction or work with your inner critic.
One-on-one Drawing for Emotional Healing sessions
Do you want to use imagery to get in touch with your emotions? Do you want to discover your soul’s wisdom? Try one-on-one drawing for emotional healing sessions. Learn how to access, release and transform your emotions. These individualized sessions help you create image of your feelings and receive inner guidance. Choose to overcome fear, resolve inner conflict, discover your soul's purpose or draw the landscape of your heart.
Benefits of individualized classes:
Total attention of teacher, can feel more free to reveal self, more time for self-discovery, more healing for your inner critic,
Teaching Testimonials
"I had the honor of doing a one-on-one writing class with Mary, and found it to be a deeply nourishing and transformative journey. I have always felt very critical of my writing, and therefore, have often avoided writing in spite of all my longings and efforts to know the process of writing as a path of self-knowing and understanding.
Mary is someone who has been traveling the path of writing and visual art for a long time, and clearly knows the terrain well. With her guidance and compassionate presence, I was able to enter into a relationship with writing that has become a dear companion. Through her skillful and passionate guidance I have gained my own footing and now am able to experience, not only a good measure of confidence in my capacity to write, but a great joy!
I later took an art journaling class with Mary, and was just amazed at all the creative and fun ways that one can bring visual art into their journal and how together they can support and enrich each other.
I am forever grateful for Mary."
-Lucia Viers, Rosen Practitioner
I've enjoyed Mary's class Visual Imagery for Emotional Healing. While I've always loved art, I've never had any formal training. Mary's class is a stress-free entry into self-expression and understanding. I am often amazed by the images that come up and their relevance to my personal spiritual journey.
-Terrie DeBonis, Dreamer
"It was my great joy and privilege to work with Mary Ledvina on my journaling skills. Mary took me on a great adventure of creativity and discovery to tap into my hidden artistic side and to begin to show me what could be possible with some direction and spitritual strength.
Our classes were both personalized and individualized through discussion and demonstration, so that I could find my way, yet create journal entries which were unique to me.
Mary supplied sophisticated, professional handouts to aid me on my journey into the lovely peaceful and fulfilling world of journaling and expression. We referenced the works of well- known published authors like Julia Cameron and Natalie Goldberg.
My first experience with Mary was in a classroom environment. But then I worked with Mary individually to learn more of the art and the philosophy.
It was truly a thrilling experience and should be shared by all."
Julie Marshall, A.A.B.A.M.A.
Mary's Contact Information:
(734) 646-9161