Unpredictable times can bring about a variety of situations that can heightened anxiety and fear.  These emotions can eventually wear on our concentration, and immune systems which can limit  our ability to continue to utilize our creative gifts. 

Many experts in the mental health community encourage people to engage in a variety of activities to deal with stressful situations which include participating in creative activities. On World Creativity and Innovation Day, Spark Your Creative will host a Facebook Live Chat on the topic of Finding Calm Through Creativity During Uncertain Times.

Sharon Burton, founder of Spark Your Creative will discuss how we can lean into our creativity during these unprecedented times with special guest Gretchen Miller,

Gretchen MA, ATR, BC, ACTP Registered Board Certified Art Therapist,, Certified Trauma Practitioner, and a Visiting Instructor at Ursuline College’s Counseling and Art Therapy Program. for over 20 years,  She is also the Founder of the Art Therapy Alliance and is. based in Cleveland, Ohio.

We will talk about how creativity can affect us during times of stress, how to engage children in art activities, and the kinds of creative activities are most beneficial for people who don't consider themselves "creative".  
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Tune into this important discussion on the Spark Your Creative Facebook page on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 6:30 pm ET and bring any questions you would like to share. 

World Creativity and Innovation Week (April 15-21, 2020) is a worldwide community dedicated to celebrating all forms of creativity.  The purpose of the week long celebration "is to remind and encourage people to use their creativity to make the world a better place and to make their place in the world better too.."  The WCIW is driven by the shared values of Collaboration, Empathy, Empowerment and Mentorship.  World Creativity and Innovation Day is April 21st and was founded by Marci Segal in 2001.  Several years later, the day obseration was expanded to a week long celebration beginning on April 15th which is Leonardo da Vinci's Birthday.   In 2017, WCI Day became a United Nations Day of Observance to encourage people to use creativity in problem solving for all issues related to achieving the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals.

Spark Your Creative is excited to observe this week for the second year by with daily creative prompts taken from Spark Creativity: 50 Ways to Ignite Bright Ideas by Chronicle Books.  Want to join the email list to receive some great ideas and a special podcast recording in your inbox everyday.. As creatives we need some extra push to help us stay inspired and focused and that is what this campaign is about.  Want in on the fun?  Sign up here and get ready for some creative inspiration beginning April 15th!