Workshop: Be Still When It Moves You

Learn to walk a labyrinth, write, dance and draw your way to the center of the winding path and back out again. Over three days, participants are invited to contribute to One Peace Labyrinth, a community-empowered labyrinth by artist Maia Scott in partnership with the Museum of Craft and Design’s MakeArt van, using materials provided by the library and facilitated by Scott.    

Dating back to at least 2000 BCE, labyrinths cross many cultures throughout history. Today, many people walk labyrinths at parks, places of worship, healthcare facilities and even in their own yards. Unlike mazes that trick you with dead ends, the path of the labyrinth winds you to the center and back out again. Technically, you can’t get lost unless you want to lose yourself in the serenity of contemplative movement. 

Each day features a labyrinth workshop focused on Scott’s favorite creative outlets: movement, mindfulness, writing and making art. During these sessions, Scott will guide participants through labyrinth-based meditative practices to generate creative flow and foster a sense of peacefulness. Each workshop will follow a similar flow by calling the circle with introductions, gentle warmup activities, creative prompts and an invitation to share with others. On Sunday, the Museum of Craft and Design’s MakeArt van will be parked in front of the library as another space to get creative.  

All ages, experience levels and abilities are welcome. Children under 14 must attend with an adult. 

Movement Mantra and Dancing the Winding Way   

Friday, December 6, 1:00–3:30 p.m.  

• 1–2 p.m. Peaceful Palms Art Making Activity 
• 2–3:30 p.m. Movement Meditation: structured improv, mantra and labyrinth dancing 
• 3:30–4 p.m. Q&A

The meditative practice of walking a labyrinth, whether with a finger or feet, can feel like a gentle dance of peace and mindfulness. After warming up with a gentle body inventory and hand-held labyrinth walk, our journey will lead us to experimenting with ways to embody the path of a labyrinth and use this wisdom to inform our body wisdom to shape improvised movement. Participants will go home with prompts for walking a labyrinth anywhere, even without one.

In-Word Bound, Writing Around in Circles to Help Find the Way  

Saturday, December 7, 1:00–3:30 p.m. 

• 1–2 p.m. Peaceful Palms Art Making Activity 
• 2–3:30 p.m. Writing Meditation: writing into the labyrinth exercise using labyrinth-based prompts 
• 3:30–4 p.m. Q&A

The winding path of a labyrinth offers symbolism for life's journey, journaling and storytelling. After warming our minds and hearts exploring word play, let's delve into writing prompts to empty old clutter and make room for new possibilities. Participants will go home with tools for utilizing a labyrinth as a tool for at least three different writing exercises.

Patterns of Peace and Possibility to Center Body, Mind & Spirit  

Sunday, December 8, 1:00–3:30 p.m.

• 1–2 p.m. Warm-up and Warm-in Prompts: breath drawing and meditative line drawing
• 2–3:30 p.m. Peaceful Palms Art Making with the Museum of Craft and Design
• 3:30–4 p.m. Q&A

About the Artist 

Maia Scott is an interdisciplinary artist and arts educator who teaches accessible arts, theater and movement with City College of San Francisco and Lighthouse for the Blind. Scott is also a certified labyrinth facilitator and bodyworker. Though she aims to embody peace and gentleness, Scott regularly shows up to fight the good fight with her guide dog, Gleam, to ensure access and inclusion for EveryBody in both doing and viewing the arts. Scott earned an MFA from the California Institute of Integral Studies, a BA in Therapeutic Recreation and an AA in dance.   

In Partnership with the Museum of Craft and Design.