Walking with Gratitude & Upcoming Workshops
- Jill Price
- Jul 14, 2025
- 2 min read
Well the exhibition is finally installed and I had so many people to thank during the opening ceremonies that I barely touched on the exhibition itself. I can honestly say that I found myself extremely moved - almost teary, when old friends made long trips from out of town to say hello and take in the show.
Through out the night It quickly donned on me why openings are not the best event to invite people to as you have so little time to catch up and ask them what is going on in their own life. Because of this I found myself frantically emailing and texting people early the following morning to let them know how much I appreciated them coming and my desire to set up additional time to have a conversation worthy of their effort.
When I am hoping there will be time and space for some engaging discussion is during a series of walking and writing workshops I am offering as part of the MacLaren Art Centre summer programming. Starting this Thursday, each of three evenings you will be asked to read a short article before meeting at the gallery and then heading down to the shoreline to stimulate your senses and explore different conceptual and material approaches to writing. Sometimes individual, and sometimes collaborative, we will explore how different perspectives and objects bring forward different ways of knowing and being in the world. If nothing else, it will help us get our steps in on a Thursday evening.
As I am still conducting beach cleans around Lake Simcoe until mid October, the community is also invited to join me on Sunday nights as I continue to scour the shorelines for trash that is both harmful to human and more-than-bodies. Simply visit the UN/making Network Eventbrite page to register for a beach clean near you. Carpooling is encouraged.
Upcoming beach cleans:
July 20: 4:00 - 6:00 pm - Willow Beach, Georgina July 27: 4 :00 - 6:00 pm - Franklin Beach Conservation Area (Franklin Beach)
August 10: 4:00 - 6:00 pm- De La Salle Park (Jackson's Point)
August 17: 4:00 - 6:00 pm - Sunnybrook Beach (Georgina)
August 24: 4:00 - 6:00 pm - Lagoon City Park (Brechin)
August 31: 4:00 - 6:00 pm - Thorah Centennail Park (Beaverton)
September 7: 4:00 - 6:00 pm - McRae Point Provincial Park (Longford Mills)
September 14: 4:00 - 6:00 pm - Mara Provincial Park (Ramara)
September 21: 4:00 - 6:00 pm - Kitchener Park (Orillia)
September 28: 4:00 - 6:00 pm - Bayview Memorial Park (Hawkestown) October 5: 4:00 - 6:00 pm - Oro Beach (Oro Station)
I really liked how the article explains why car breakdown recovery services are so important in busy London traffic and what you should expect when you need help on the road. I remember one time my car broke down near a busy roundabout and I had to figure out how to pay for dissertation costs later while waiting for the tow truck, which made me think more about planning for trips and expenses. Reading this reminded me it helps to save emergency contacts and know what steps to take so you are calmer if a breakdown happens.
The topic Walking with Gratitude & Upcoming Workshops is truly inspiring, as it highlights mindfulness, personal growth, and community learning. Gratitude helps people appreciate life’s small joys, while workshops create opportunities to connect, share, and develop new skills. Just as these practices bring clarity and purpose, the art of embroidery digitizing brings precision and creativity to fabric design. Both emphasize detail, dedication, and transformation—whether it’s turning daily moments into gratitude or artwork into stitch-ready embroidery files. Looking forward to seeing how these workshops impact participants’ lives and foster a stronger sense of community and creativity.