How art-making unlocks learning and creativity: My Book Passage workshop

I’ve always been fascinated by how adults learn in life. Even before earning my Ph.D. in Adult Learning from the University of Chicago, I spent years working in Artificial Intelligence, studying how experts learned so I could program computers to do the same. But no matter where my research has taken me, I’ve always returned to one core truth: “art-making,” literally or figuratively, is how we learn in life.

As humans, we need a way to explore deep questions, and art-making offers that space. It’s where we wrestle with the things that intrigue, disturb, delight, or terrify us. Art is a medium for raising questions and receiving answers. It opens the door to possibilities not yet realized but waiting to be. In fact, the most innovative solutions to complex problems often arise when we allow ourselves to play in imaginal space—a realm where creativity and insight thrive.

In Art is a Spiritual Path, Pat B. Allen writes:
“As a path, [art] can take us more deeply into whatever place it is that our soul calls home—whether that place is a church, synagogue, mosque, dance studio, soup kitchen, or a deep forest. Through receiving and giving form to new images, we breathe life into ancient scriptures and eternal teachings. Art also leads us to new places in ourselves, our work, our relationships, and our communities.”

Explore the Power of Imagery in Art-Making

In my upcoming workshop at Book Passage, we’ll dive into the unique role images play in art-making. Unlike words, which are often precise, images hold complexity and paradox. They invite ambiguity, allowing multiple facets of a situation—including those we may not yet be conscious of—to coexist. By weaving imagery into our writing, we’ll open new pathways for exploration and creative discovery.

Workshop Details:
From the Visible to the Invisible: Entering Imaginal Space
Dates: Four-week course starting in January
Location: Book Passage, Corte Madera
Register here or call (415) 927-0960

Official Description:
The ancient Sufis believed there are three worlds: the world of the intellect, the world of the senses, and a world they called the “imaginal world.” It’s the realm of dreams, visions, and creative insights—the source of powerful creative work. As we immerse ourselves in winter’s darkness, the portals to the imaginal become more visible and available. In this four-week course, we’ll use myth, metaphor, innovative writing exercises, and visual imagery to explore this deep creative space. Writers and artists of all levels are welcome.

I hope to see you there!