Nebraska Synod ELCA
Event
Program Description:
We are made in the image of God, the Creator of all. We are created to BE creators; co- creators with God. The different ways we create are signs of our unique God-given gifts.
This series of sessions will introduce the Zentangle drawing process as a way to connect with God and self through prayer practices and creative expression. Even if we don’t consider ourselves “artists”, this way of drawing is an invitation to slow down and discover our inner creative voice.
Course Dates:
7:00-9:00PM July 18 Tuesday
7:00-9:00PM July 25 Tuesday
7:00-9:00PM August 1 Tuesday
Zentangle is “an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns”. If you can hold a pen and write your name, make dots, lines, curves, and orb shapes, you can do this meditative drawing. In each of three sessions, we will learn the basics of Zentangle drawing and explore ways to connect our creative practice with a particular prayer practice. During the week between each online gathering exercises for becoming familiar with new tangle patterns and experiencing the
prayer practices will be provided. Materials needed for this class are simple:
I, Diane Harpster, discovered this way of drawing in 2015 and quickly found it to be an opening to rediscovery of the joy I have always found in creating. I wouldn’t have called myself an artist, particularly not one who could draw. But I soon found that this way of creating through following the eight intentional steps of the process was a way for me to slow down, calm, and center. And I rediscovered my artistic gifts. In time, I also discovered it could be part of my listening/prayer time. While the practice is about the process, it’s a delight that a piece of art ends up being finished in as little as 15-20 minutes of the time spent in prayer, focusing and
breathing. Come join me in rediscovering the joy of creating!
Biography:
Diane was certified as a spiritual director in 2014 through the Nebraska Synod’s Seeking the Spirit Within spiritual direction formation institute. She completed training as a Certified Zentangle Teacher in 2020 as part of the first online training through Zentangle Inc, studying with the founders of this drawing method, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. She enjoys exploring the intersections of art and spirituality. Diane recently retired, having served on the Nebraska Synod staff for ten years and on the staff of her home congregation, Sinai Lutheran, Fremont, NE, for sixteen years prior to that. She enjoys sharing the gifts that she has discovered through this meditative creative process and seeing the joy of others as they experience the connection to their own spirit’s creative expression.
Class Details:
Dates & Time: 7:00-9:00 PM CT/6:00-8:00 PM MT
July 18 & 25, August 1, Tuesday evenings
Target Audience: High school and older; those who want to learn a meditative process of
drawing as a way to pray, calm, and focus.
Fee: Course fee – $25
Diane will send the Zoom link from diane@dianeharpsterart.com. She will also send a PDF of
the tile shapes you will need for drawing, along with a list of the drawing tools she uses and
recommend and where they might find them. Otherwise, you can simply use supplies you have
at home to get started.
Registration Deadline: One week prior to first class, July 11. No refunds after July 11, 2023.