Creating an Evening of Self-Expression and Relaxation
As published by Joi Dean for Cincinnati Public Radio on 5/23/2024.
Enjoy an evening of art, creativity and relaxation during Sip and Create: Pressed Flower Botanical Art Night, presented by Rootworks Wellness at The Center for Mind, Body and Play.
Whether participants have art experience or want to express themselves through creativity, all skill levels are welcome.
During this two-hour event from 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. on May 28, guests can enjoy snacks and sip on their favorite drink, all while creating unique botanical art using pressed flowers from local vendors.
Sip and Create will include all materials needed to create your own work of art. Blank sheets of paper will be available for individuals to create one-of-a-kind designs with pressed flowers or guests can choose to have a pre-printed drawing of an animal or a landscape as a guide of inspiration.
“All you have to do is just sit down and be present,” said Kate Christie, a Licensed Professional Counselor at Rootworks Wellness who will be leading Sip and Create.
As a therapist, Christie will also incorporate an optional strength-based work into Sip and Create. While the event is occurring Christie will provide each participant with a list of strength words that illustrate their creation.
For example, if a guest chooses a hummingbird as their outline to glue on their pressed flowers, a participant could select the words strength and resilience as a reflection of what their work of art resembles to themselves, explained Christie.
“Is that something they feel is part of them? Is that something they can hold some space for inside or something they would like to access more of and just that sort of self-discovery, self-exploration,” she said.
Guests are also welcome to focus on connecting with others while making a new work of art, she explained.
Outside of providing therapy for individuals in the community at Rootworks Wellness and leading Sip and Create events, Christie also has a passion for teaching yoga from time to time at The Center for Mind, Body and Play.
“The idea of being that when you walk in the doors of this building, it’s this inclusive community and this actual feeling you get where you know deeply that healing is possible. That is the goal and aim of the center,” said Christie.
Due to Rootworks Wellness and The Center for Mind, Body and Play being in the same building, after a therapy session, an individual can walk down the hall to participate in numerous activities that the center has to offer. From yoga to acupuncture and even Reiki, a form of energy healing, there are a variety of options to choose from.
Andie Bernard, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who founded Rootworks Wellness in 2017 and The Center for Mind, Body and Play in 2022, saw a need for community.
After COVID, Bernard saw that many people were struggling not only with isolation, but fear of survival. However, prior to purchasing the building in 2022, Bernard originally wasn’t looking to buy a community space.
Despite The Center for Mind, Body and Play not being in the blueprint for Bernard’s plans two years ago, she knew that she wanted a place in the community that could be a safe space for everyone.
“You know some things we plan for and some things we’re born for. The Center for Mind, Body and Play in that moment of time was coming up in me as a healer. I knew what our community needed. I knew what I needed as a healer. I knew what the people I treat needed. So, it has just unraveled organically,” said Bernard.
In Bernard’s point of view no one owns the center, it’s a community offering, she says.
For more information about The Center for Mind, Body and Play click here or visit their Instagram page @mindbodyplay.
If you are interested in attending Sip and Create: Pressed Flower Botanical Art Night on May 28, June 11, or June 18 click here to purchase a ticket. Additional art nights will be held later in the summer.
Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Guests are also welcomed to bring their own drink of choice.