Event Information
Growing Our Strength: Growing Our Patience Location: Virtual - assigned links

Growing Our Strength: Growing Our Patience

Saturday, Feb 26

11:30am - 1pm CST via Zoom

Materials: Protractor, Compass, Ruler, Paper & Pens/Pencils

Project Description: When do we “lose” patience? How do we “find” it? Today's activity will give us practice in mindful, artistic patience.

Growing Our Strength is an 8-week journey using guided mini-meditations and thoughtful artmaking to help us look at ourselves in new, unexpected ways. The discovery of cancer, and the ensuing processes of living daily with its effects, can leave one feeling depleted, mentally, emotionally, and physically. This group, which can be taken as a complete 8-week course, or on a drop-in basis, will creatively investigate areas where we can nurture and regain our mental and emotional strength, areas such as resilience, compassion, patience, and hope. Open to all Gilda’s Club Members, including caregivers, support persons, and those living with loss. Come join art intern Rene Livingston-DeTienne for this 90-minute Saturday class that’s sure to be full of heartening discussion and some rejuvenating artmaking.

For most weeks, supplies can be found around the house, or adjustments can be made so you can participate. For weeks that require more specialized supplies, we will offer supply pick-up times. PLEASE EMAIL CARISSA RE: SUPPLY PICK-UP: carissa@gilasclubmadison.org


To receive the Zoom link, register by midnight the night before the class. If you want to register after that time, have questions, or are having technical difficulties, please email:

carissa@gildasclubmadison.org.



About Rene Livingston-DeTienne:

Rene Livingston-DeTienne is a senior in Edgewood’s undergraduate Art Therapy program. She is also a State of WI Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) and CPS Trainer. Raised in the WI/IL Stateline area, in the town of Beloit, she moved to Madison in the early 90s to start a life in the “big city” and has been here ever since – long enough to now consider herself a Madisonian.

A lifelong artist and writer, she has been creating artwork for as long as she can remember. Her favorite medium has always been water-soluble oil pastels, although in the last year, Rene’s enjoyed exploring many new mediums: pen and ink, watercolors, mixed media, collage, ceramics, sculpture, ecosculpture, and papermaking. They were all her new favorites!

When not busy with school, Rene is usually writing poetry. Her first chapbook, The Good Truth, was released from Finishing Line Press last year. Her next full-length collection, Not Just the Fire, is due out in early 2023 from Cornerstone Press. She also enjoys reading, gardening, baking, and other muggle-ish activities. She lives in Madison with her young adult daughter and spouse and their four unruly little dogs.