Strategies for Survival is an afternoon-long exploration of rituals and practices that promote wellness and healing. Learn tools for resistance, empowerment, community-building, social change, and self-care from a variety of artists and practitioners.
11am–5pm: New Age, New Age: Strategies for Survival Exhibition On View
New Age, New Age: Strategies for Survival is an exhibition of work from the last fifteen years by contemporary artists who appropriate, critique, or embrace “New Age” aesthetics and concerns from a modern perspective.
11am–12pm: Yoga Session with Stephanie Hicks of Yoga for Black Lives
Join us to take part in a life-affirming and life-sustaining yoga practice led by Stephanie Hicks, Ph.D. Stephanie will lead sessions through poses, breath work, and meditation in order to respond to the violence that Black people experience across the United States every day. Stephanie teaches strong, classic asana to help people to turn inward, notice their thoughts and emotions, sit with what they need to, and put the rest down. This is an accessible class which invites students of all experience levels. Please bring your own mat.
11:30am–2:30pm: Tarot Readings with Sarah Luczko and Seth Vermilyea
Sarah Luczko is a poet, dancer, performance artist, bookstore owner, and tarot reader. Her readings are down to earth, while still keeping one foot in the other world. Sarah works with querents to produce a reading through collaboration with the cards. She embraces the traveling tradition of party readings. She prefers to read in loud bars, outdoors, in a garden, at art openings, or anywhere away from more traditional settings. Seth Vermilyea has been a tarot reader for 30+ years. He received his first tarot deck at 10, came out of the closet at 19, and officially came out of the tarot closet at 40 with ComingOutTarot. Seth uses tarot to make sense of his client’s queer experiences in an increasingly challenging heteronormative world.
12–4pm: Custom Aromatherapy Sessions with Kiam Junio of Mahal Healing Arts
At 12pm, attend a presentation by Kiam Junio of Mahal Healing Arts on essential oil basics. Afterward, sign-ups will be available for 20–30 minute one-on-one consultations throughout the afternoon. These personalized and intimate sessions begin with looking at your physical-emotional-spiritual balance using principles of Ayurveda and Traditional East Asian Five Element Theory. You will explore and sample a variety of essential oils and learn how to craft a custom potion based on your therapeutic and scent preferences. A sign-up list will also be available for those who would like to schedule future sessions.
1–3pm: Community Acupuncture with Five Point Holistic Health
Community acupuncture is effective for pain, headaches, neuropathy, seasonal allergies, colds and flus, stress, digestive issues, menstrual issues, chronic inflammatory conditions, and continued maintenance of any symptom. Five Point Holistic Health provides high-quality, accessible holistic healthcare and education in an effort to cultivate long-standing relationships between highly trained practitioners and the community that are socially and economically just.
2–4pm: Dissolving Blocks & Barriers: A Self-Awareness & Manifesting Workshop with Rhonda Wheatley
Join artist Rhonda Wheatley for “Dissolving Blocks & Barriers,” a workshop that will help you identify and release self-limiting concepts and beliefs to expand your potential. We’ll get at the root of unproductive thought habits and envision the future we want to create through guided meditation, writing exercises, group healing, and more. You’ll leave this workshop with tools and practices to continue the work on your own. To participate, just bring a notebook, pen, and an open mind! “Dissolving Blocks & Barriers” is a project accompanying Wheatley’s “Energy Grid for Dissolving Blocks & Barriers” installation in the exhibitionNew Age, New Age: Strategies for Survival, on view at DePaul Art Museum.
Rhonda Wheatley is a multidisciplinary artist whose sculptures, paintings, written works, and interactive performance projects are grounded in the speculative and metaphysical and explore healing, consciousness expansion, and transformation. She has had solo exhibitions at Hyde Park Art Center, David Weinberg Gallery, and FLATFILE galleries, and group shows at spaces such as Gallery 400, Glass Curtain Gallery, and The Franklin in Chicago, as well as Walter Maciel Gallery in Los Angeles and G.R. N’Namdi Gallery in Detroit. As part of her art practice, Rhonda also leads self-care workshops and gives tarot card readings. She teaches art and writing, and practices several energy healing modalities. Rhonda earned a BA in English Literature with a minor in African American Studies from Loyola University, Chicago and an MA in Writing from DePaul University.
RSVP on Facebook →