Healing Generational Trauma Through the Eyes of Your Ancestors: An Artistic Experience

Where: Becky Keenan's art studio at Dillworth Artisan Station

When: (weekend dates flexible) Fri. 6 to 8:30 pm, Sat. 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Sun. 10 am to 12 pm

Workshop Size: 6 participants

Description: In this transformative workshop, writer Brooke Shaffner and  visual artist Becky Keenan will guide you in connecting with and understanding a chosen ancestor or loved one’s life through creative expression. 

First, Brooke will lead participants in imagining themselves into the mind and body of a chosen ancestor or loved one through writing. Writing provides a powerful tool for exploring memories, stories, and emotions, allowing you to uncover hidden influences on your own thoughts and behaviors.

Then, Becky will help you bring your ancestor or loved one’s story to life on canvas, painting their likeness as a way to see and connect with their experiences. By putting a face to their story, you can look into their eyes, witnessing the roots of their pain and resilience, fostering compassion for the lives they led and a deeper understanding of the ways their experiences may still shape your own.

Together, these acts of creative expression help you unravel generational trauma, giving you the freedom to let go of inherited pain and cultivate a renewed sense of empathy, peace, and self-love. 

No writing or painting experience is necessary.

Instructors: 

Becky Keenan
Discovering that four generations of women in her family, starting with her maternal grandmother, had all followed the same life path, at the same age and with the same difficult outcome, plunged Becky into a journey of discovering the silent story behind her family’s history and the devastating outcome for each woman. Her journey of finding acceptance and self-love inspired this workshop. Her hope is to help guide others through their journey of healing.

Brooke Shaffner 

Brooke is currently working on a memoir. Her writing is integral to the healing process. She works toward holding the darkness, light, and complexity of family members, herself, life, and humanity with understanding and compassion. Though stories grow out of conflict, she strives, also, to find words that hold (extra)ordinary moments of contentment and joy.

Contact Brooke at bnshaffner@gmail.com if interested.