Collage and Thinking: A Writing Workshop with Dale Pesmen

This creative nonfiction workshop invites participants to explore how the act of writing can become a form of thinking.

About this Event

Collage and Thinking: A Writing Workshop with Dale Pesmen

Saturday, August 16, 2025

2:00–5:00 PM

Oliva Gallery

3816 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

As part of the ongoing exhibition LUMINOSITY: The Ocean Between VIII, this creative nonfiction workshop invites participants to explore how the act of writing can become a form of thinking.

Led by exhibiting artist, writer, and anthropologist Dale Pesmen, the session draws on Dadaist techniques and emphasizes the generative potential of wordplay. Through guided exercises, participants will engage with language in ways that encourage unexpected connections, imaginative leaps, and fresh insights. No prior writing experience is necessary—all are welcome.

This event is one of several public programs expanding the ideas of the exhibition into interactive, community-centered formats.

Exhibition Overview

LUMINOSITY: The Ocean Between VIII brings together international and Chicago-based artists whose work reflects the intersections of culture, imagination, and personal mythology through painting, sculpture, installation, and mixed media.

Programming Schedule

Friday, July 18 | 5–9 PM
Opening Reception – All artists present. MC: Kao Ra Zen

Saturday, July 19 | 1–3 PM
Entwined: Banner Making – Kathryn Hempel, Bishal Manandhar, Lori Kaplan, Tamara Wasserman

Monday, July 21 | 3–6 PM
Image Transfer Techniques – Jenny & Betty Kirk Chernansky

Saturday, July 26 | 12–4 PM
Light Sculptures – Franz Betz

Sunday, July 27 | 3–5 PM
Mask Theater & Filming – Marianna Buchwald

Monday, July 28 | 8–10 PM
Multimedia Light & Projections – Harro D.B. Schmidt

Saturday, August 9 | 1–3 PM
Drawing & Collage – Bonnie Katz & Michaela Hanemann

Thursday, August 14 | 9–11 PM
Film Screening – Group 312 Films, curated by Kevin B. Chatham

Friday, August 15 | 5–8 PM
Lecture: Intuition & Artmaking – Judith Meyer

Saturday, August 16 | 12–7 PM
Luminosity Visual Arts & Performances – Closing day events with performances, music, and MC Kao Ra Zen

Saturday, August 16 | 2–5 PM
Collage & Thinking: Writing Workshop – Dale Pesmen

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