CREATIVE SPARKY

CREATIVE UNBLOCKING WORKSHOP
We're back in a new venue, with our 7 week course on
gathering inspiration, freeing self-expression and
connecting or reconnecting with your creative flow.

2025 course dates to be announced!
About The Creative Sparky Course
Get to know Sparky facilitators Harley and Vadim a little as they describe the philosophy and key learning intentions behind this 7-week course.

We wish to help people use creative practice as a way-in to deeper relationships with self, others and the world. This new version of the course focuses on seven 'Sparky-types,' which we explain here !

Watch Vadim talk about creativity here, follow along with a demo Creative Sparky exercise here (allow 15 mins) and even check out this 14 seconds of power from a previous creativity event we ran (Creative Sparky delves into many energies and is often gentle and reflective, but this was certainly a peak moment!) 
"Harley has that rare gift of being a true creative as well as an enabler and inspirer of creativity in others. I have watched people’s eyes light up and hearts sing as they have worked with Harley. I have seen shy or reticent people emerge as joy-filled, brave, and ignited with something to say, do or contribute. I love playing and working with Harley and always look forward to an encounter, experience or event he has dreamed into life. He really is the Master of Make-Believe."

Penelope Bartlau, Artistic Director of Barking Spider Theatre


" The workshops personally helped me to get connected to my ideas and broaden my perspectives and thought process from different exercises and reflective practices.  The sessions, not only allowed me to get connected to my creative force but also to my intuition and authentic self. I would highly recommend for anyone not only for creative unblocking, but also exploring and connecting to oneself melting the emotional blocks in a safe group environment. ''  

Ocean Sheikh, previous Creative Sparky participant.
Creative Sparky's third course - winter, 2022


WHAT IS THE CREATIVE SPARKY WORKSHOP?
This 7-week course is designed to guide you to discover or rediscover your creative spark. Two experienced creative teachers and budding arts therapists will guide the group through a mix of exercises in pencils, pastels, voice, movement, installation, poetry, nature study, game design, collage and ink. In seven 2.5-hour classes, each of these mediums will be ways-in to explore the confidence, wellbeing and self-understanding to be gained from a personal creative practice. Through individual exploration and collaborative activities, we'll use creativity as a tool to free oneself, pay attention and cultivate a joyful and playful relationship with the universe.

Attendees will receive a booklet, with information, additional resources and optional homework for each of the seven weeks, allowing those who wish to go deeper and immerse themselves in this journey for its duration.

This will be the fifth time we have run the course, and the feedback we have received is that people have enjoyed the openness, the permission to experiment and discover and the connections they have made with others, journeying together into new creative expressions.

IS THERE A THEME?
In this fifth edition of the course, we have restructured the previous ideas and exercises, moulding them around seven archetypes. We believe these archetypes, characters so universal that everyone can find resonance with them, will invite you to explore six different parts of yourself. These six parts are each an aspect of your unique version of The Artist.



WHO IS THIS AIMED AT?
If you find yourself thinking 'I wish I was creative' or 'I wish I found more time to explore my creativity' or 'I used to draw / write stories / make up songs / sew my own clothes / practice the piano / explore new recipes in the kitchen / collect leaves on my walk home and I just don't seem to anymore' or 'I am creative almost every day, but I feel a restricted, stuck in my head, over-technical,' then... you! Creative Sparky would suit anyone over 15, who is wanting to find a love for making things, an ability to find Flow State or to simply enjoy imagining. In the room, there will be complete art novices through to professional artists looking to liberate themselves from constraints.

This course is designed to be a safe space with open exercises which can be moulded to the experience and interests of the individuals in the room. In seven weeks, naturally, we aren't working for mastery of any art form or technique. Instead, we are building the freedom, relationship with oneself and motivation that intends to see you continue to make time for expansive creative practice in your life after you've completed the course.



WHY WOULD YOU ATTEND?

We believe creative thinking can be synonymous with an appreciation of the world. We think that just like physical exercise is a regular practice which benefits the body and mind, regularly working one's creative muscle benefits one's wellbeing, glee and openness to experience. We even believe that being in tune with one's self-expression, craftsmanship and ideas is strongly connected to awareness and pursuit of one's own aspirations. Sharing this experience with a close-knit group is a fantastic way to build meaningful connections, and your fellow Creative Sparky people will become accomplices in your artistic opening-up. During the final session, we'll have a small exhibition, which will be a way to gently push you to present something and a wonderful celebration of the journey. You would attend if you would love to look back during this event and feel that you had moved past some internal blocks around being uninspired, self-judgement, listlessness, perfectionism, doubt or stagnation.



WHO ARE YOUR FACILITATORS?

Harley Hefford and Vadim Ragozin are both creative individuals who regularly pursue varied practices and extend this to infusing their lives with a sense of play, artistry and wonder. For Harley, ink, charcoal and paint work, devising immersive theatre shows and installation design are some of his primary outlets. His work is at www.harley.jetzt . Vadim is a painter and sculptor whose work engages deeply with place, the soul and realms between. His work can be viewed at www.vadimr.org . Harley is a qualified Secondary teacher and experience designer, currently studying Art Therapy. Vadim is a learning designer, facilitator and mediation teacher. We've led creative workshops and retreats for years and we've now run the Sparky course three times.

We've also been lucky enough to learn from an incredible range of teachers across disciplines and countries. We feel we have a lot to impart, and are keen to curate a pathway of growth, discovery and freedom.


DO YOU NEED TO BE IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA?

Yes! However, we will soon announce an online version of the workshop, still occurring for 7weeks, adapted for a digital delivery. This workshop will include participants from all over the world, and will still feature a smorgasbord of collaborative creative exercises which work across screens. There will also be around 20 minutes in each session where everyone will explore an artistic task individually in their own space, allowing us all to take a break from staring into our screens.



HOW CAN YOU GET MORE INFORMATION?

We'd be extremely happy to answer any questions or talk further...

Also, please reach out if a payment plan would be useful or if funds
are a barrier at this time - keen to make this work as inclusive as possible & we can discuss and find solutions! We also have two scholarships, which you can apply for here!

Email [email protected] or call 0411 561 676 to get in touch.

In-Person Workshops:

Monday nights.
Seven sessions.

Arrive at 7.15 for a 7.30PM start. Finish at 10PM

Running at:
Black Spark Cultural Centre in Northcote

2025 Dates to be announced.

ABOUT BLACK SPARK:


"CREATIVITY | LEARNING | LIBERATION

We recognise the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the owners of the land on which we exist. Sovereignty has never been ceded.

Black Spark Cultural Centre is a bookshop, event and gallery space, and a community hub.

Creativity is the driving force of Black Spark. Through creativity we find the courage and autonomy to engage with the world. It is with creativity that we inspire our actions and foster the bonds between us.

This is the exploration and creation of meaning, the naming the senseless, and that lilting presence of curiosity that tempts us into each new day.

Black Spark was formed around an understanding that our response must be creative, if we are to move beyond stale habits and ways of being that isolate and destroy. As we exist with creativity we take responsibility for the actions we take. By testing boundaries and working at the edges of tolerance, we acknowledge that work done here is not safe.

Work done in this space plays with possibility and inherently contains risk. With the capacity to heal, comes the capacity to harm. By acknowledging the need for healing, our commitment is to work alongside each other.

Engaging creatively, with thought and care, so we may foster autonomy and self-worth, and support those around us by supporting ourselves and our environment."

You can see why this place of SPARK feels ideal for us to host at!

Scholarships Available:

There are two full scholarships available for this course, please click here for more info.

Creativity As Exercise
Many of us will go for a run, do some stretches or visit the gym without the goal of becoming a professional athlete. We simply know that it's good for our body and mind to exercise.

Yet, much of the time we don't let ourselves 'practice' creativity in the same way - using art mediums to simply 'exercise' our mind, soul and imagination. Creative Sparky aims to provide lots of 'ways in' to this regular exercise practice :)

Harley and Creative Sparky co-founder Jahree explain this further here, with the aid of some boxing equipment.
Creative Sparky Learning Outcomes:
CSLO1:    SELF
Creativity expands my relationship with self. Overcoming self-judgment and blockages around one’s creative practice. Developing the ability to use individual creative practices for self-reflection, healing and empowerment.

CSLO2:   OTHER
Creativity deepens my connectedness with others. Through one-on-one and group practices, using collaborative artistic processes as a vehicle to play, co-imagine and authentically relate.

CSLO3:   BEYOND
Creativity opens me up to the mystery of life. Developing a creative lens of the world and one’s experience. Creative practice allowing for fresh perspectives and opening sources of inspiration. Reinhabiting curiosity, wonder, adventure and joy in life.

CSLO4:   CREATION

I am an artist. Becoming familiar with a variety of artistic processes and mediums. Gaining understanding of the creative practices, work and philosophies of diverse artists. Feeling a connection to the artistic canon throughout history.
The Seven Sessions:
THE INNER CHILD
Authenticity as unearthed through childhood eccentricities.
Originality, that which exists at your core - your origin.
Leaping without looking, to let the lines flow.
Poking one's tongue out at perfectionism.
Getting serious about being silly.

THE VISIONARY
Intuition. Sacred. Subconscious. Illumination. Imagine.
Realising, making real what's in your mind.
Unrestricted and boundless dreaming.
A handshake with your genius.
A dance with 'what if.'

THE MUSE
Tuning in to listen to the universe's wild propositions.
How to be a good host to ideas when they visit.
The abundance of the artistically lived life.
Seducing creativity to enter the room.
Enticing and exciting, all subjects.

THE MANAGER

Imposing rules so as to play even more expressively.
How can a spreadsheet feel like a party?
Showing up with consistency.
Extremely sensible poetry.
Strong decisions.

THE CRITIC

Cutting off leaves to allow other leaves to flourish.
Dotting i's and crossing t's.. very satisfying.
Preparing a work for an audience.
Judging without judgment.
Divine knowing.

THE TRUE SELF

Relational. Vulnerable. Self-actualised. Worthy. Whole.
Burrowing down into the moment of yourself.
Zooming in to see the big picture.
Swaying with the shadow.
A mirror of love.

THE ARTIST

Magic. Elemental. Resourcefulness. Power. Potential.
By your powers combined, I am........ the artist!
The image of multiple flowers blooming.
All we need is at our fingertips, here.
Celebrating our hero's journey.

Vadim Ragozin and Harley Hefford, facilitators of Creative Sparky.
 Join us next year.
We look forward to meeting you!

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