Bringing mindfulness to looking at art
This event is cancelled.
Join us on International Slow Art Day for an introduction to drawing and the art of mindfulness. An opportunity to explore the beauty and simplicity of the ancient practice of mindfulness in the context of drawing. Explore how drawing can be both playful and enriching, and how it can support a deepening engagement with artworks in our collection. A practical drawing workshop, incorporating a range of mindfulness and drawing approaches.
Life drawing is the ordinary and yet extraordinary encounter with the naked human body: a familiar subject seen in a new light. This workshop explores life drawing as an opportunity to cultivate mindfulness – the practice of being fully present in our moment-by-moment experience – by giving our full and kind attention to the living body. The morning includes an introduction to mindfulness, short guided meditations and mindful drawing exercises, to cultivate ‘beginners mind’ and an open space for creativity. Led by Karly Allen from Limina Collective with expert life model Marinella Mezzanotte. All materials and tea/coffee provided. No previous experience of mindfulness or drawing is required. Tickets are £35/£23 concessions.
Join mindfulness and arts experts Limina Collective in an experiential workshop exploring awareness of the spaces around us, of the mind space and the interaction between the two. Part of the RIBA Festival of Learning.”
With Lucia van der Drift
Come in out of the cold and join us for a pre-Valentine’s evening of art and mindfulness to lift the spirits and inspire and nourish the soul.
Experience a range of activities and taster sessions throughout the evening:
Go on a blind date with a work of art.
Learn more about the intimate relationships between mindfulness and art, poetry and music.
Try slow-looking – a different, calming way to look and appreciate works in the collection.
Enjoy a relaxing gong bath.
Discover the healing potential of Visual Medicine.
Warm up with a cup of tea and meditation session.
This event is free and open to all ages and abilities – lovers of art, kindness and awareness, and those who love life.
This is an alcohol free event. The bar will be serving a range of different soft drinks, teas and vegan snacks.
Some activities will have restricted numbers and slots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
LIMINA Collective is a small, passionate team of mindfulness and arts experts with over 50 years’ collective experience in mindfulness and creative activities in museums, galleries and adult education.
This two-day creative course investigates the teachings and practices explored in our Buddhism exhibition and considers how these might translate into our viewing, making and understanding of art. Combining ‘slow’ looking, drawing and reflective exercises, this masterclass offers meditative approaches to help engage more deeply and meaningfully with art. Over the course of the weekend, our tutors share strategies for improving focus and attention, to cultivate a sense of enjoyment and appreciation of an artwork and the experience of being fully present with it.
Through short guided exercises, explore the benefits of meditation in preparing for looking at art with openness and curiosity, and practise mindful pauses to bring attention back when the mind wanders into judgemental thoughts. Experiment with the materials of drawing and playful mark-making as a meditative practice, including observational drawing to enhance awareness of the act of looking. Mindfulness is a key element of Buddhist practice, and is now widely applied in secular contexts to improve wellbeing. This weekend aims to show it can also be of great benefit in the production and contemplation of art.
From the Gallery’s website:
Limina Collective 8.30pm, 9.30pm & 10.30pm
Ever heard of ‘slow looking’? Join Karly Allen from Limina Collective to learn more in these 15-minute sessions guiding you through mindful approaches to engaging with art. At 10.30pm everyone is invited to gather together in the main gallery for a farewell grounding practice.