Creating Connection: Expressive Arts for Couples

Info:  Theme: Laying the foundation

 Activity: non-verbal communication; do a drawing together but don’t speak.

 Movement: Mirror movement with music

 Discussion Prompt: “What does safe communication feel like to you?”

 Take-home Journal: Reflect on what makes you feel heard.

Info:  Theme: Deep listening

 Art Activity: Partner drawing (draw while the other moves to music.

 Movement: “Yes, and…” improvisation

 Discussion Prompt: “When do you feel most listened to?”

 Journal: Times I felt truly heard (or unheard) by my partner

Info:  Theme: Speaking from “I”

 Art Activity: Visual thinking stratagies

 Creative Writing: What can I learn from your perspective?

 Discussion Prompt: Practice “I feel... when... I need...” sentences

Info:  Theme: Building Trust

 Art Activity: Mask making

 Movement: Silly dance or partner charades

 Prompt: “What made us laugh in the beginning?”

 Journal: Where is there room for more lightness?

Info:  Theme: Revealing true self

 Art Activity: Painting the mask.

 Discussion Prompt: “What’s underneath our disagreements?”

 Journaling: What triggers me? What soothes me?

Info:  Theme: Healing old wounds

 Art Activity: Kintsugi-inspired repair project (repair something broken with

gold/symbolic art)

 Writing Prompt: “What I need to hear from you is…”

 Movement: Slow synchronized walking or hand contact exercise

Info:  Theme: What we are becoming

 Art Activity: Full Body Drawing

 Discussion Prompt: “What are we building together?”

 Journal: My hopes for us

Info:  Theme: Integration and celebration

 Art Activity: Create a joint piece titled “Our Story Continues”

 Movement: Choose a shared song and create a movement ritual

 Ritual: Affirmations read aloud to each other

 Take-home: Personalized “communication toolbox” (with written prompts/art

reminders)

Also check out other Arts events in Reno, Fine Arts events in Reno.