Embodying Dreams in the Book Arts Class at MCBA starts January 13, 2011

I am pleased to announce that I will begin teaching at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts

Embodying Dreams in the Book Arts

Six Thursdays: January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17; 6-9pm
All skill levels welcome

How does the structure of the book relate to the content within? Are some book structures better suited for working with dreams than others? How can the act of making a book become a form of dreamwork in and of itself? These are just a few of the questions we will explore in this class as we make a bag book, meander book and multi-section flexagon.

Throughout the course a variety of methods for working with dreams will be introduced as a way of developing content for the books. These exercises will include journaling, Healing Collage(SM), embodied imagination work and Ullman’s projective dreamwork.

Core or Advanced Certificate: 18 hours, Category D

Dates: Thursday evenings – Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10 & 17
Time:  6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Level: All skill levels welcome
Place: Minnesota Center for the Book Arts
Cost:  $280 ($250 MCBA members) + $30 supply fee

Registration:  Click on this link:  Adult Workshops for Winter/Spring 2010-11, scroll down the page to my class and then follow the instructions for online registration.

Questions:  Contact me at 952-412-4786 or e-mail me
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Pausing at Midlife Exhibition

If you haven’t seen my show yet, it’s not too late.

Date: October 7, 2010 – February 3, 2011
Place: St. Mary’s University Library, LaSalle Hall – Room 108, 2500 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Questions:  952-412-4786 or E-mail me

About This Exhibition
What kind of books are capable of holding dreams, memories and waking life reflections together in a way that is true to their original nature? How does the structure of a book affect the content within? Is it possible to embody images from dreams and memories in the book arts?

These are just some of the questions that I have focused on since graduating from the human development program at St. Mary’s University of MN in 2006. For this Art on Park exhibition, I have taken this opportunity at midlife to pause and reflect upon the journey thus far while creating a new body of work which integrates my dreams, memories and reflections into a series of handmade books.  In my books you will also find a unique mixture of Western and Japanese influences.

Embodied Imagination Work

In 2010, I completed a three year training course with Robert Bosnak and Jill Fischer to become a certified Embodied Imagination Coach.  This exhibition is also my final project for that program.

Thank you for all your support.  I look forward to dreaming, creating and healing together with you in 2011!

Sweet dreams,
Sheila Asato

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White Cloud’s Prayer

While doing a little bit of genealogy work recently, I came across this lovely prayer.  One of my grandfathers was supposedly a man by the name of Chief White Cloud.  I don’t know much about him yet, but I was moved by this prayer that has been attributed to him. Wether it is by my ancestor or not, I think that it speaks to all people.

O Great Spirit,

Whose voice I hear in the winds,

And whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me!

Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made, and my ears sharp to hear your voice.

Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy – myself.

Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands …
and straight eyes,

So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit may come to you …
without shame.

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The Wonder of Ice

Drip, drip, drip.

As the days become longer and more yellow comes into the morning light I can feel my soul stirring to wakefulness again.  It has been a long cold winter but warmer days are here and the ice is almost gone.  What beauty it can hold within!  Not much longer now before all the ice and snow are gone and we have mud and grass again!

Celtic Blessing

May the blessing of light be on you
light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you
and warm your heart
till it glows like a great peat fire.

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Last of the Snow People

Spring is definitely in the air.  While I was out walking today, I couldn’t help noticing all the snow people slowly melting away.  There was something a bit sad about seeing them all go, leaving their hats and gloves on the ground behind them, as the snow quietly departs.

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Spring Classes at Monkey Bridge Arts

Spring session will begin on Tuesday March 9.

All levels are welcome in these classes, including complete beginners.  You will be able to work at your own pace and have fun, no matter where you are in your creative journey.

This session, I will offer the following classes:

Colored Pencil – Color Relationships

Tuesdays, 9:30AM – 12:30PM

March 9 – May 25 (No class March 30 & April 27)

$250 (10 Weeks)

Drawing – Keys to Drawing

Wednesdays, 9:30AM – 12:30PM

March 10 – May 26 (No class March 31 & April 28)

$250 (10 weeks)

Embodied Imagination & Creative Dreamwork

Fridays, 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM

March 13 – May 21 (No class April 2 & April 30)

$225 (9 weeks)

Creative Mentoring & Embodied Imagination Sessions

I will also have 2 openings for one-on-one creative mentoring or embodied imagination work starting in March.

For more information and registration: 952-412-4786 or e-mail me at SheilaAsato@comcast.net

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Six Words Only – Your Life Story

An AFWJ friend recently called my attention to a wonderful piece on NPR about writing your memoir in only six words.  What a wonderful challenge.  Here’s what I came up with for mine:

Healing dreams move love into the world

How would you sum up your life story in only six words?

Here are two of my favorites from NPR

Found on Craigslist: table, apartment, fiance.
Becki Lee

Alzheimer’s: meeting new people every day.
Phil Skversky

What’s your story?

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A Winter’s Faith

Help us to have a winter’s faith, Blessed One.

Give us faith that is content to know that life slumbers in the frozen ground, not demanding that green shoots appear before their time.

Give us faith that looks with sympathy on the doomed beauty of a frost-covered tree, knowing that the fragile crystals will melt away in the sun’s light.

Give us faith that longs to tramp through the unbroken purity of new-fallen snow and does not despise it when brilliant white fades to gray. Give us, we pray, a humble faith, a quiet faith, a winter’s faith.

– Plymouth Congregational Church Unison Prayer, 2/14/10

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What a Difference Sunshine Makes!

October was an unusually gloomy month in Minnesota.  Yesterday, we finally had some sunshine again and the sky was magnificent.  I can’t believe what a positive effect a beautiful sky and clear light have on my spirit and energy level!

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The Dreams of Hans Christian Andersen

Patricia Garfield

Dream Salon

The Dreams of Hans Christian Andersen

In this month’s dream salon, I will be showing a video of Patricia Garfield speaking about The Dreams of Hans Christian Andersen.  His dreams have striking parallels with universal dream themes, as well as many personal connections with his own life. Learn more about this remarkable man and how he incorporated his dream material into his tales in a way that was not only creative but also healing.  If you weren’t able to see her in person at the 2004 IASD conference in Denmark, this is a good chance to hear her wonderful presentation once again.

Patricia Garfield, Ph.D., a leading dream expert with a doctorate in clinical psychology, has written nine books on dreams and cofounded the Association for the Study of Dreams (President 1998-99). Her Creative Dreaming, a best-seller in print since 1974, appears in fourteen languages. Her work for teens, The Dream Book, won two prestigious awards.

When and Where

Date: Friday September 25, 2009

Place: Monkey Bridge Arts

Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Cost: Free, donations accepted

RSVP: E-mail Sheila Asato or telephone 952-412-4786

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Fall Session Starts September 8

A new round of classes will begin on Sept. 8 at Monkey Bridge.  I will be offering the following classes at Monkey Bridge this fall.  To register call 952-412-4786 or e-mail me at SheilaAsato@comcast.net

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Colored Pencil – Focus on Color Harmony

• Tuesdays, 9:30AM – 12:30PM
• Sept. 8 – Oct. 27
• Cost: $180

Drawing – Introduction to Portraits

• Wednesdays, 9:30AM – 12:30PM
• Sept. 9 – Oct. 28
• Cost: $180

Embodied Dreamwork Circle

• Wednesdays, 1:30PM – 4:00PM
• Sept. 9 – Oct. 28
• Cost: $150

Design Basics for Photographers – 2 Day Intensive Workshop

• Thursday Oct. 15 & Friday Oct. 16
• 10 AM – 4:00 PM
• Cost: $110 for two days

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Creative Mentoring & Embodied Imagination Sessions

I currently have 3 openings for creative mentoring and/or embodied imagination clients.  If interested in doing one-on-one work with your dreams or creative development, contact me for more information.

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Upcoming Dream Presentations at Abbott’s Institute for Health & Healing

Embodied Imagination

• Thursday Oct. 22

Pain and Dreaming

• Tuesday Nov. 10

Dreaming for Creativity & Health

• Monday Nov. 30

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