The Art of Being: A Mindful Journey Through Sitting, Sound, Drawing and Movement

The Art of Being: A Mindful Journey Through Sitting, Sound, Drawing and Movement 

Sunday April 27th at the Art Gallery of Hamilton 

123 King Street West

9am to 4pm

We invite you to a special day dedicated to cultivating joy and presence in everyday life through different mindfulness meditation experiences. By exploring mindfulness through a variety of practices, we can enhance our ability to be fully engaged in each moment. Experienced meditators will appreciate the chance to deepen their practice. People new to meditation will have a chance to explore approaches other than formal sitting to experience the art and beauty of living mindfully.

Admission to the Art Gallery comes with your registration. You may wish to browse the galleries during the lunch break, or from 4 to 5pm after our workshop ends and before AGH closes, or if there is a workshop you choose not to attend, you may browse the galleries or find a quiet space to just be for a while.

Sessions include:

Sitting Meditation: Finding Joy in Everyday Life
Led by Melanie Schwindt, mindfulness instructor, speaker, and coach, this session will explore how to bring mindfulness into every aspect of your daily life, fostering joy and presence.

Mindfulness Through Drawing
Experience drawing as a meditative process, where you can unwind, create, and connect in an open and supportive environment. No art experience required. Led by Cara-Jane Dempsey, Mindfulness Coach and Therapeutic Arts Practitioner 

Mindfulness Through Slow Looking
Did you know that the average time spent looking at a work of art is just 17 seconds? In this session, you will select a painting in the Helen McNicoll exhibition and engage in deep, mindful observation, spending many minutes gazing at the artwork. Stools or yoga mats for sitting are provided. Led by Laurie Kilgour-Walsh, Head of Programs and Learning at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Laurie has worked at AGH for nearly 19 years.  In recent years, her work has focused on the power of arts experiences to improve wellbeing in participants through a focus on strengths, social connection, and shared experiences.  With a strong belief in person-centred programming, her work encourages participants to see and think about art in new ways.  She is also a mother, and a practicing visual artist.

Mindfulness Through Creative Movement
Created by Dr. Jamie Marich, dancing mindfulness invites you to engage with the present moment through movement, whether standing, seated, or a combination of both. This accessible practice can be adapted to all levels and abilities. Led by Lisa Kiss, certified yoga and mindfulness meditation teacher.

Mindfulness Through Sound
This sound journey will immerse you in a deeply restorative experience using crystal singing bowls, a gong, tuning forks, and other live instruments. Whether seated or lying down, you’ll have the opportunity to fully absorb the therapeutic vibrations. Led by Monika Benkovic, international yoga and sound facilitator.

Sitting Meditation: Feel Good
Led by Allison Liss, a meditation facilitator and member of the Core Committee of Mindfulness Hamilton, this session focuses on cultivating positivity and well-being through meditation.

Thanks to the generosity of the Art Gallery of Hamilton, we are able to offer this program for the following fees*:

Early bird:  Member  $75 Non-member $90 Financially Challenged $35

After April 20th: Member $85  Non-member $100 Financially Challenged $40

*Note that participants will provide their own lunch and snacks. The AGH snack bar opens at 11am