Category: Events

Posted in Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Self-Care

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: The Lighthouse

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting this Saturday! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. Click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for August 30, 2025.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me an email 💟. The time of the event is in Eastern Standard Time. 

*I will share any updates or changes and keep everyone posted. 

Here are some details for the event:

Title:
The Lighthouse

Description:
“The Lighthouse” is a creative and reflective event where we’ll use drawing and writing to explore our mental health and recovery.

We’ll start with a short icebreaker: sketching an image and writing about how our summer has been so far.

The main activity will then be choosing one of three options:

1. Draw a stormy ocean with a tall lighthouse, and fill the image with free-writing phrases or notes about how you’re navigating recovery and your mental health.

2. Write a poem about a time when you pushed through a difficult moment, or about an “aha” moment that shifted your perspective this year.

3. Create a T-chart with one side titled “I’m proud of myself because…” and the other titled “I’m working on / I want to become better at…”.

Materials:
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).

Schedule
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing

Hope to see you there!

Posted in Events, Mental Health, Self-Care, Self-Talk

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: Coming Back to Self

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting this Saturday! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. Click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for May 31, 2025.

IMPORTANT: This Expressive Arts workshop and the ones following this one are from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm!

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me a DM or email 💟. The time of the event is in Eastern Standard Time.

*I will share any updates or changes and keep everyone posted.

Here are some details for the event:

Title:
Coming Back to Self

Description:
“Coming Back to Self” is a creative and reflective event where we will draw and write to describe ourselves and where we are in our personal journey.

We’ll begin with a short icebreaker: choosing a word from a provided list, sketching an image inspired by that word, and writing about why it resonates with us.

The main activity will then be choosing one of four options:

1. Sketch an image of a large tree and describe yourself using ten words written around the tree.

2. Draw a series of images that represent what safety looks and feels like to you. What images symbolize safety? Where do you go to feel safe? Who do you talk to?

3. Create a list of resources, helplines, people, or places you can turn to when you need support.

4. Write a letter or poem to your younger or current self, sharing three reasons why you are proud of yourself right now.

Materials:
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).

Schedule
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing

Hope to see you there!

Posted in Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Self-Care

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: Rest, Relax, and Breathe

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting this Saturday! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. Click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for the Expressive Arts workshop on March 29, 2025.

IMPORTANT: This Expressive Arts workshop and the ones following this one are from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm!

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me an email 💟. The time of the event is in Eastern Standard Time.

*I will share any updates or changes and keep everyone posted.

Here are some details for the event:

Title:
Rest, Relax, and Breathe

Description:
“Rest, Relax, and Breathe” is a creative and reflective event where we will draw and write about how to better connect with ourselves.

We will begin with a short icebreaker, setting aside three minutes to practice deep breathing together, followed by seven minutes of free writing or doodling.

The main activity will then be choosing one of three options:

1. Choose a shape and create a series of patterns using that shape. Around your drawing, write words, phrases, or quotes that reflect your thoughts as you create.

2. Draw a T-chart. On one side, list the habits, hobbies, and resources you currently use to support your mental health. On the other side, list the helpful habits, hobbies, and resources you’d like to explore.

3. Write a poem or journal entry describing calmness.

Materials:
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).

Schedule
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing

Hope to see you there!

Posted in Events, Mental Health, Self-Care

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: A Journey of Intentions

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting this Saturday! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. Click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for January 25, 2025.

IMPORTANT: This Expressive Arts workshop and the ones following this one are from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm!

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me a DM or email 💟. The time of the event is in Eastern Standard Time.

*I will share any updates or changes and keep everyone posted.

Here are some details for the event:

Title:
A Journey of Intentions

Description:
“A Journey of Intentions” is a creative and reflective event where we will explore how we’re feeling and set intentions for the coming year.

The event will begin with an icebreaker: sketching an image and free-writing about three things that matter most to us right now.

The main activity will then be choosing one of three options:

1. Draw a vision board centered around your word or phrase of the year. Include images, reminders, and ideas that reflect and embody its meaning.

2. Write a lyric or free verse poem about the experiences you wish to have or the things you want to explore and learn in 2025.

3. Create a series of personal notes where you reflect on your values, what’s important to you, habits that benefit you, and what you will let go of this year.

We will conclude by sharing our creations.

Materials:
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).

Schedule
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing

Hope to see you there!

🚨Update: NAMI-NYC will no longer be hosting this Expressive Arts workshop. Saturday August 30, 2025 was the last Expressive Arts. Thank you to anyone who’s attended over the years. I love you and hope to reconnect in the future.

Posted in Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Self-Care

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: Final Thoughts

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting this Saturday! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. Click the Expressive Arts Zoom link  for November 30, 2024.

IMPORTANT: This Expressive Arts workshop and the ones following this one are from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm!

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me a DM or email 💟. The time of the event is in Eastern Standard Time.

*I will share any updates or changes and keep everyone posted.

Here are some details for the event:

Title:
Final Thoughts

Description:
“Final Thoughts” is a creative and reflective event where we will draw and write about the past year. We will begin with an icebreaker: sketching an image and listing five words we would use to describe 2024.

The main activity will then be choosing one of three options:

1. Draw a series of holiday ornaments, and next to each ornament, write an intention or message you want to carry forward.

2. Write an acrostic poem that spells “Thank You.” In each line, share something that inspired, motivated, or impacted you this year.

3. Write a farewell letter to what you want to leave behind in 2024.

We will conclude by sharing our creations.

Materials:
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).

Schedule
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing

Hope to see you there!

Posted in Events, Mental Health

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: Falling Away

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting this Saturday! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. Click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for October 26, 2024.

IMPORTANT: This Expressive Arts workshop and the ones following this one are from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm!

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me an email 💟. The time of the event is in Eastern Standard Time.

*I will share any updates or changes and keep everyone posted.

Here are some details for the event:

Title:
Falling Away

Description:
“Falling Away” is a creative, reflective, and fun event where we will draw and write about how we’re doing this fall season. We will begin with an icebreaker, sketching an image and completing the sentence: “I’m learning how to better ______.”

The main activity will then be choosing one of three options:

1. Draw a collection of fall leaves, writing a habit or behavior you want to change, adjust, or improve on each leaf.
2. Write a brain dump journal entry or poem titled “This Year in Review.”
3. Create a word cloud that includes words describing you and how you’re feeling this fall.

We will close by sharing our works of art.

Materials:
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).

Schedule
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing

Hope to see you there!

Posted in Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Self-Care

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: Shimmers and Glimmers

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting this Saturday! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. Click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for August 31, 2024.

IMPORTANT: This Expressive Arts workshop and the ones following this one are from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm!

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me an email 💟. The time of the event is in Eastern Standard Time.

*I will share any updates or changes and keep everyone posted.

Here are some details for the event:

Title:
Shimmers and Glimmers

Description:
“Shimmers and Glimmers” is a creative, reflective, and fun event where we will draw, write, and share about positive moments that make us feel calm and secure. We will start with an icebreaker, where we sketch an image and write about three things that have made us smile recently. The main activity will then be choosing one of three options:

1. Draw a night sky full of stars, and in each star write something that brings you a sense of calm, connection, peace, or relief.
2. Write a thank-you letter to the last person, place, thing, or idea that has given you clarity, opened your perspective, or validated your feelings.
3. Create a list poem about activities you can do more often that would be beneficial to you.

We will close by sharing our works of art.

Materials
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).

Schedule
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing

Hope to see you there!

Posted in Events, Keep Moving: Motivation and Inspiration, Mental Health, Self-Care

NAMI-NYC Virtual Expressive Arts Workshop Event: Back In My Day

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

So very excited to announce the NAMI-NYC Expressive Arts workshop event I will be hosting this Saturday! This event will be via Zoom and on the NAMI-NYC website. You can find the link here. Click the Expressive Arts Zoom link for May 25th on the day of the workshop.

IMPORTANT: This Expressive Arts workshop and the ones following this one are from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm!

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me an email 💟. The time of the event is in Eastern Standard Time.

*I will share any updates or changes and keep everyone posted.

Here are some details for the event:

Title:
Back In My Day

Description:
“Back In My Day” is a creative, reflective, and fun event where we will draw, write, and reflect about what we enjoyed growing up and how we think about it today. Starting with an ice breaker, we will sketch an image and introduce ourselves to the group. The main activity will then be to pick one of three activities. The first activity will be to draw or write a favorites list of what you enjoyed or were interested in when you were growing up, the second activity will be to write a descriptive poem about an item or accessory you couldn’t live without or you were excited to have as a child or teen, and the third activity will be to write a how-to guide to your younger self showing them how to navigate a hardship or challenge you overcame. Lastly, we will close by sharing our works of art.

Materials:
Paper, writing utensils (pen, pencil, markers, or crayons).

Schedule:
2:00 – 2:20: Introductions and Ice breaker
2:20 – 3:00: Main Activity
3:00 – 3:30: Sharing and Closing

Hope to see you there!

Posted in Events, Mental Health, Self-Care, Self-Talk

NAMI-NYC Virtual Story Hour!

Posted on by SparklyWarTanks

I’ve been sharing my mental health story with middle school and high school students with NAMI-NYC through their Ending the Silence program for almost 5 years now, and late last year I trained to become an In Our Own Voice presenter as well! It’s been an overwhelmingly gratifying experience to not only open up spaces to have conversations about mental health, but to meet new people that inspire me to continue my journey.

This Thursday April 4th at 6 pm EST you can hear me share my recovery story with Kristen in NAMI- NYC’s virtual story hour!

🌟 If you’re interested and would like to attend click here to reserve your spot 🌟