"Realism or Not" Exhibition
Jan. 13–Feb. 23
Art Sampler: Watercolor
Feb. 4, 9:30a–1:00p
Writershop for Beginning & Aspiring Writers
Feb. 6, 6:30–8:30p
Art Lecture: Kandinsky
Feb. 9, Noon–1:30p
Ancient Wisdom–
Modern Science Retreat
Starts Jan. 30, 9:30a
Spring Luncheon: Happy for No Reason
with Marci Shimoff
April 14, 11:00a–2:00p
Womanspace Programs
Unlock the Power of Dreams | What's the Bible About? |
Writershops for Beginners |
Labyrinth Journey |
Mother Goose for Adults | Book Chat with Marci Shimoff |
Book Event with Chris Swanberg | The Artist's Way |
Celebrate Your Life | Help Those Living with Loss |
Writershop: Women on Poetry
Unlock the Power of Your Dreams
For age 16 to adult. Discover the inner power and meaning of your dreams that each of
us experience, whether we are aware of them or not. Learn about the structure and
physical aspects of dreaming. Unlock the story, the images, and metaphors that your
dreams disclose. In each of the three sessions, we will practice the "unlocking"
process of the dreamer's messages, with group assistance. Learn how to invite dreams,
record dreams, recall and trace dream-themes. Your dreams may be forewarnings,
diagnostic or post-trauma and healing dreams. We will also study lucid dreaming
and problem-solving dreams. You, the dreamer, have the key to unlock the deep
meaning of your dreams.
Dorothy earned her BA at Alverno College, her MA in English Literature at Marquette University, and completed her MFA in Art at the University of Notre Dame. She has been a teacher of art, literature and the humanities since 1950.
Course #: WK11-9
Dates: February 15, March 21
Time: Wednesday, 6:30–8:30p
Facilitator: Dorothy Bock
Location: Womanspace Library
Regular Fee: $15/session
Members' Fee: $12/session
Register two days before each class.
Registration Policy
What's the Bible All About?
Have you promised yourself that you are going to read the Bible some day? Did you begin
and then just get bored, or not even know where to begin? Have you ever wondered just
what is covered in all those books of the Bible and what's the difference between a
Catholic and Protestant Bible? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, this
course is for you. In this broad overview, you will learn a little bit about every book
in the bible, what it's about, what it is teaching, when it was written, and why.
You’ll also learn about historical context, literary forms, parables, myth stories,
poetry, historical books and prophets, gospels, letters, and apocalyptic writing.
You may not read the entire Bible now, but you’ll have a much greater understanding
after these eight sessions.
Father Mike Librandi studied Architecture at Illinois Institute of Technology, Botany at the University of Illinois, and earned his MA in Theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology. As religious education director for several parishes, he developed and published curricula for innovative religious education, some of which have been adopted by military bases throughout the world. As Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Rockford, Fr. Mike established a diocesan retreat center connected to a rural parish church. He is currently developing home study programs for parents to share their faith with their children.
Part 1–The Hebrew Scriptures
Course #: WK11-12
Dates: January 26, February 2, 9, 16
Time: Thursday, 6:30–8:30p
Facilitator: Father Mike Librandi
Location: New Dimensions Studio
This class is in session.
Registration Policy
Part 2–The Christian Scriptures
Course #: WK11-13
Dates: March 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: Thursday, 6:30–8:30p
Facilitator: Father Mike Librandi
Location: New Dimensions Studio
Regular Fee: $75
Members' Fee: $60
Register by March 6.
Registration Policy
Writershops for Beginning and Aspiring Writers
For women age 18 and up. Whether you are a beginner or long-term writer you are welcome
to come to these informal workshops. A brief presentation will be offered by the facilitator,
along with a “trigger topic” to start you working for 30 minutes. The last hour will be spent
reading your work (of the evening, or a previous work), receiving feedback and whatever
pointers are welcomed by the writer.
February 6 – Dorothy Bock, MA, will share the possibilities of journal writing and suggest some areas of your life about which you might be impelled to write.
Course #: WK11-14a
Dates: February 6
Time: Monday, 6:30–8:30p
Facilitator: Dorothy Bock
Location: Fountain View Room
Regular Fee: $15
Members' Fee: $10
Register by February 2.
Registration Policy
March 5 – Colleen McDonald, will share some short reflective essays and commentaries. She will then invite you to do the same.
Course #: WK11-14b
Dates: March 5
Time: Monday, 6:30–8:30p
Facilitator: Colleen McDonald
Location: Fountain View Room
Regular Fee: $15
Members' Fee: $10
Register by March 1.
Registration Policy
Beat the Winter Blahs–Labyrinth Journey
The Hopi called the labyrinth "Mother Earth", and to walk her was to experience the womb
of safety as well as rejuvenation. Come out of hibernation for at least one night and
travel along this ancient path, incorporated by all human traditions. Using finger
labyrinths and floor designs, music, movement, and reflective discussion, we celebrate
the long nights and emerge with new roots for the spring to come.
Barrie promotes movement prayer as a connection to personal Sabbath. After intense study in Chartres, France with Lauren Artress, Barrie is a Veriditas certified facilitator. She returned to Chartres in 2011 to build a labyrinth near the historic Cathedral. Barrie has lead retreats nationwide and integrates her vast background in education, theater, and sacred dance to build community through embodied meditation using the labyrinth as a tool.
Course #: WK11-10
Date: February 9
Time: Thursday, 6:30–8:30p
Facilitator: Barrie Carter Gibby
Location: Fountain View Room
Regular Fee: $20
Members' Fee: $15
Register by February 6.
Registration Policy
Mother Goose for Adults
Janet entranced our bookfair guests with her costumed portrayal of Mother Goose.
Imagine our delight when we learned she has loads of information on the sexy,
seamy, and often disturbing underside of nursery rhymes. Come hear the true
story of Jack and Jill, why Mary was so contrary, and how Humpty Dumpty may
have been a victim of mob violence.
Janet has a Masters degree in Theatre from NIU. She was a classroom teacher and consultant for the education of the Gifted and Talented in the Rockford School District for 31 years. She has taught theatre and creative dramatics to students from preschool to high school and is also a historical re-enactor.
Course #: WK11-15
Date: February 22
Time: Wednesday, 7:00–8:30p
Facilitator: Janet Heuer
Location: Fountain View Room
Regular Fee: $15
Members' Fee: $10
Register by February 20.
Registration Policy
Happy for No Reason Book Chat with Marci Shimoff
Join us for a fun discussion with our Spring Luncheon guest, author Marci Shimoff.
She’ll join us via phone for a live chat about her book Happy for No Reason.
Read the book in advance so you’re ready to participate in this special event.
Marci will guide us through some exercises and allow time for your questions.
Marci really loves live interaction, so don’t miss this chance to connect with her
before her April 14 appearance with us.
With book sales of more than 15 million copies worldwide in 31 languages, Marci Shimoff is one of the bestselling female nonfiction authors of all time. Happy for No Reason is a breakthrough book from this New York Times best-selling author and world-renowned transformational expert. Shimoff is also the author of Love for No Reason, co-author of six Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and featured teacher in the hit film The Secret. Her profound teachings are easy to understand…and her methods work! www.happyfornoreason.com
Sponsored by:
Course #: SE11-4
Date: March 6
Time: Tuesday, 7:00–9:00p
Location: Fountain View Room
Regular Fee: $5
Members' Fee: FREE (phone or e-mail your registration)
Register by March 5.
Registration Policy
Book Event: The Alleluia Tree by Christine Swanberg
Ever wonder how successful poets make it happen? Come hear Christine Swanberg
read from her newest book, The Alleluia Tree from Puddin’head Press. Afterwards
Christine will share her story of perseverance, the creative process, and
“dancing with the editors” in an informal Q&A. Christine’s readings are
well received because she considers her audience when planning, and reads
with enthusiasm. Come enjoy and support this event by a longtime Womanspace
member whose wit and wisdom are sure to inspire. Books will be available for
purchase and signing.
Chris has published several books of poetry and her work appears in numerous anthologies. Awards include the YWCA Leader Award for the Arts, and the Womanspirit Award from Womaspace. She was chosen by Poets West as featured reader at the Frye Museum in Seattle, was a visiting writer at Kankakee College, and has an interview featured in the 2008 Poet’s Market. A post-graduate with a Merit Scholarship from the Vermont Writing Program, Christine also teaches at The Clearing in Ellison Bay, WI. See her April 30 poetry writershop.
Course #: WK11-17
Date: April 2
Time: Monday, 7:00–8:30p
Facilitator: Christine Swanberg
Location: Fountain View Room
Regular Fee: $12
Members' Fee: $10
Register by March 29.
Registration Policy
Traveling The Artist's Way:
Unblock Obstacles to Your Creativity
Based on Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, this globally popular program
helps people discover and cultivate their artistic, creative and spiritual selves.
Read the book as the course progresses and together we’ll explore and implement
tools to recover our sense of safety, identity, power, integrity, possibility,
abundance, connection, strength, compassion, self-protection, autonomy and faith.
We’ll talk about negative beliefs and our inner critics. We’ll also write prayers,
set limits, examine attitudes about money, age, time and perfectionism. You’ll learn
how to generate ideas and get them down. Along the way you’ll also regain enthusiasm
and balance, while practicing skills to overcome creative blocks and experience success.
Bring a copy of the book to class.
Sue has studied at Ohio State University and at the Cincinnati Art Museum. She has taught privately, as well as at the Kaleidoscope School of Art in Barrington. Sue exhibits throughout the Midwest and South, has artwork in many private and public collections, and tries to devote most of her time to developing her own paintings.
Course #: WK11-18
Dates: April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10
Time: Thursdays, 7:00–9:00p
Facilitator: Sue Gilbert Abare
Location: Fountain View Room
Regular Fee: $90
Members' Fee: $75
Register by April 3.
Registration Policy
Celebrate Your Life
Come have an honest and thoughtful discussion with Melinda regarding planning your final
life celebration. In this repeat of a recent popular Lunch & Learn program, we’ll
explore how you want family, friends and colleagues to remember you. Whether grand
or simple, Melinda will guide us as we think about how we want to celebrate the end
of our earthly lives and make it meaningful for all involved. Choose either the
afternoon or the evening session a week later, or come to both!
Melinda is a licensed funeral director and has been with Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory in Rockford for 25 years. She is a graduate of Central Missouri State University and Worsham College Of Mortuary Science. Melinda started the first bereavement after-care program through funeral homes in northern Illinois 20 years ago and has facilitated numerous support groups. She considers it a privilege to be able to spend time with families at this important and difficult time as they begin their journey following the death of someone important in their lives.
Course #: WK11-19
Date: April 10
Time: Tuesday, 2:00–3:30p
Facilitator: Melinda Hagerman
Location: Fountain View Room
Regular Fee: $15
Members' Fee: $12
Register by April 9.
Registration Policy
Course #: WK11-20
Date: April 17
Time: Tuesday, 7:00–8:30p
Facilitator: Melinda Hagerman
Location: Fountain View Room
Regular Fee: $15
Members' Fee: $12
Register by April 16.
Registration Policy
How to Help Those Living with Loss
Come learn about grief and its many expressions, mourning, and denial.
Explore how to create a safe, sacred space for friends and family members
who are learning to live with loss. We’ll also discuss how to accompany
people experiencing any kind of loss, including: death of a loved one or
pet, divorce, good health, youth, a job or career, etc. You’ll also discover
how to accompany yourself.
Tom is a gifted grief guide and believes that death cracks us open, giving us the opportunity to consciously participate in the transformation that awaits us. His 18-month-old daughter Erin died suddenly in 1990. Then his 43-year-old wife Trici died equally as suddenly on New Year’s Day 1999, and his 13-year-old son Rory died from brain cancer in 2005. Tom and his son Sean are learning to live a full, joy-filled life, one day at a time. Tom is an author, inspirational speaker, and workshop facilitator. www.TomZuba.com or www.facebook.com/tomzuba1
Course #: WK11-21
Dates: April 25
Time: Wednesday, 6:30–8:30p
Facilitator: Tom Zuba
Location: Fountain View Room
Regular Fee: $25
Members' Fee: $20
Register by April 23.
Registration Policy
Writershop: Women on Poetry
For women age 18 and up. Have you ever wondered how successful women poets make it happen?
We’ll share some good advice by published women poets. Then we’ll write and discuss poems.
We’ll also talk about the creative process and strategies for successful writing, as well
as possibilities for publishing and readings. Chris will utilize the new Women on Poetry as a source with individual poems we can learn from. Come discover how other women poets
have been successful and apply that to your own process. Members may check out the
Womanspace Library copy of Women on Poetry following the program, or you may purchase
your own copy at Barnes & Noble.
Christine Swanberg has published several books of poetry and her work appears in numerous anthologies, including two chapters in Women on Poetry. Awards include the YWCA Leader Award for the Arts, and the Womanspirit Award from Womaspace. She was chosen by Poets West as featured reader at the Frye Museum in Seattle, was a visiting writer at Kankakee College, and has an interview featured in the 2008 Poet’s Market. A post-graduate with a Merit Scholarship from the Vermont Writing Program, Christine teaches at The Clearing in Ellison Bay, WI and has mentored many writers. She also enjoys residencies at Centrum Center for the Arts in Port Townsend, WA.
Course #: WK11-22
Date: April 30
Time: Monday, 7:00–9:00p
Facilitator: Christine Swanberg
Location: Fountain View Room
Regular Fee: $25
Members' Fee: $20
Register by April 26.
Registration Policy