Creativity & The Ocean of Your Imagination
Arts Center Staff

It's waiting within if you only let it out—break free from your skin this is no time for doubt—your future is calling there's greatness about—let the transformation begin. — Cirque du Soleil, Varekai

Immerse yourself in a week of abundant creativity. Esalen will be pulsing with creative opportunities to explore, express, and play with some of the finest teachers in the Esalen Arts program. Painting, clay sculpting, textile arts, mosaic, stained-glass fusing, mask and costume design—these are some of the modalities you can explore to entice what lies submerged in the ocean of your imagination. Using both subtle and bold approaches, guest artists will share their knowledge in a variety of artistic mediums that are fun and accessible.

This workshop will be structured to provide the guidance, the materials, and the stimulating environment for you to awaken and dive into your creativity and artistic passion.

($100 materials fee paid directly to the leader)

Samba for the Soul
Airto Moreira

Have you ever witnessed your body as it suddenly begins to move, apparently with a will of its own, to the hot rhythms of an irresistible beat? This workshop is geared toward understanding and harnessing the dynamism of percussion through the exploration of traditional Afro-Brazilian rhythm, dance, song, and culture. Participants will learn about the spirit of percussion, how to channel it into the sounds and movements they create, and how this energy connects singers, dancers, players, and observers.

Airto has presented countless workshops around the globe, both on his own and with other stellar artists such as Reinhard Flatischler, Giovanni Hidalgo, Zakir Hussein, Mickey Hart, and Babatunde Olatunji, to name a few. His style is diversified enough to teach anyone from the simple beginner to the highly advanced. However, Airto has a special place in his heart for "Samba For The Soul" at Esalen, and takes great pleasure in introducing the power and emotion of music to the non-musician, or beginner, something he shares in common with his friend, the late Baba Olatunji.

This workshop takes place during the week of Esalen's 4th of July celebration. As an added bonus, Airto will perform a live show with his Jam Band. Don't miss out on the fun!

Fingerpainting on the Moon: Writing & Creativity As A Path to Freedom
Peter Levitt

"We were born to create," says award-winning writer and teacher Peter Levitt. "It's our birthright, our nature. Remember: Everything is permitted in the imagination." As part of Esalen's Arts Festival celebration, participants will learn the tried-and-true writing exercises and creative techniques that Peter has developed to teach decades of writers, artists, and spiritual seekers of all kinds how to deepen their writing and every aspect of their lives.

Inspiring, gentle, and informative, Peter combines mystical teachings from Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Sufism, and Native American sources with touchstone teachings and insights from Pablo Neruda, Allen Ginsberg, Itzhak Perlman, Henri Matisse, Paul Klee, Rumi, Hafiz, and others. His approach, developed over more than thirty years of leading workshops, shows participants how to easily step past obstacles and give voice to the creative, spiritual, and sensual parts of ourselves that long to be heard. "When we do," Peter says, "our expression is strong; we experience profound insight and an enormous onrush of joy."

The goal of this workshop: to free you to walk out into the world as into your own heart—and discover that they are one.

Esalen Filmmaking Intensive
Jerome Gary & Mary Lambert

Whether you want to make feature films, documentaries, or home movies, the skills required are the same. In this workshop participants will first learn the fundamentals of filmmaking, and then each individual will make a short film—narrative, non-narrative, documentary, music video—or will team up and collaborate.

Jerome Gary will present what he calls the "director's palette," the skills that a filmmaker needs: writing, working with actors and non-actors (getting a performance), cinematography, production design, editing, and post-production. There will be a guest cinematographer, writer, and editor to offer one-day intensives on their craft. Since the seminar takes place during the Esalen Arts Festival, with its myriad of activities, there will be plenty to shoot.

The teachers will also make films (Jerome Gary will do a narrative short and Mary Lambert a music video) and those who wish may, instead of making their own films, crew on those films.

Please note: Participants must bring a digital camera and editing system. This can be Final Cut Pro, iMovie, Avid DV Express, or any really simple system. If you don't have an editing system but give enough advance notice, one can be available to rent.

The Circus Odyssey: Coming Home
A Family Workshop
Tandy Beal

Who hasn't dreamed of running away to join the circus? This is an experience for the whole family, parents and children (age 5 and up) alike, a workshop in circus and movement (as well as joy, fun, and discovery) that culminates in a performance!

Your circus troupe will retell some of the tales from Homer's Odyssey (the Cyclops, the Sirens, Circe) and how the great tale of coming home relates to our own lives. Each day you will learn skills from the circus (juggling, stilt-walking, basic acrobatics, balancing, and more) as well as creative movement. There will be simple shadow puppets and there will be rhythmic and imagination exercises. In small groups, participants will develop a scene from Homer's remarkable story using the newly acquired skills and insights and, at the end of the session, present it to each other.

Veteran director (Pickle Family Circus, Moscow Circus) Tandy Beal will bring together an array of talented artists from her many circus escapades to assist the teaching, all of whom are equally skilled in teaching children and adults.

Please note: Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Recommended reading: Homer, The Odyssey.