 Author Panel Discussion
Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 6:00 pm The Ivy Bookshop 5928 Falls Road Baltimore, MD 21209 The Ivy Bookshop will host four local authors with wonderful new books on the relationship between emotional life and creative practice will be speaking on the topic of Emotional Resilience and Creative Practice : –Amy Bernstein, author of Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration –Sharon Burton, author of Creative Sparks: 21 Affirmations and Inspiration for Creativity at Midlife –Erica Ginsberg, author of Creative Resilience: Reclaiming Your Power As An Artist –Frankie Rollins, author of Do You Feel Like Writing? A Creative Guide to Artistic Confidence This one-of-a-kind panel will be moderated by Leslie Gray Streeter as they share their work, research, and thoughts. Whether you’re a veteran creator, just starting out, or at a moment in the middle, this discussion is for you. All books will be available for purchase at the event. RSVP Here! ~~~ About the Panelists: Amy L. Bernstein is the author, most recently, of Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration, an inspirational book for self-doubting creatives. She is an award-winning multi-genre novelist, a former journalist, and a certified book coach helping authors of creative nonfiction, in particular, find their best path to publishing. Amy also writes on Substack, teaches a variety of writing workshops, and may often be found at conferences and on podcasts discussing writing, publishing, and creativity. Sharon J. Burton is an artist, art curator, author, poet and certified creative coach and Founder of Spark Your Creative based in the Washington, DC area. She is a visual artist whose preferred medium is collage and mixed media and has exhibited her art in galleries, art venues and other settings across the country since 2007. Sharon has curated a number of art exhibitions in the Washington, DC area since 2006 and has served as an art consultant for novice art collectors. Since 2016, she has focused on helping people in “creative recovery”…those looking to revive or jump start their creativity through group and individual coaching, workshops, her blog and as the host of Spark Your Creative Podcast which features artists and other creatives who are using their unique talents to create more mindful communities and a safer world. Sharon is the author of Creative Sparks: 21 Affirmations and Inspiration for Creativity at Midlife (Swiner Publishing Company, 2024) which is a guidebook for artists and others who want to launch their creative passions after 50. Sharon has served as a Teacher Artist through Art Works Now, Artomatic, and Del Ray Artisans. When she is not working or creating, you can find her hiking in the forests along the East Coast or indulging in Artist’s Dates to museums, cafes or spending quality time with her calico cat, Athena. Erica Ginsberg is a writer, documentary filmmaker, story consultant, and project manager with a dual background in the arts and public diplomacy. She co-founded the Maryland-based documentary film organization Docs In Progress and served as its founding executive director for more than a decade. She co-hosts The D-Word, a peer-to-peer global online community for documentary professionals. As an artist herself, Erica has long been interested in the topic of creativity and particularly the psychology of creativity. She co-directed a film called Creative Feds about several civil servants in the U.S. federal government who moonlight as musicians. She started a blog about how those in the creative arts can develop more resiliency and this led to her book Creative Resilience. The book and the blog help artists navigate the struggles and realities of the creative process and arts careers, including motivation, creative blocks, embracing imperfection, impostor syndrome, time management, and creating realistic expectations, healthy boundaries, and unique measures of success. In addition to working in the arts, Erica organizes professional development study tours to the United States for mid-career professionals from around the world as a Senior Program Officer with Meridian International Center in Washington DC. Frankie Rollins has worked 41 different jobs in her desire to live a life that centers writing. From demolition worker to bookstore clerk to barista to caregiver to attic cleaner, Frankie has gathered a broad understanding of the human condition, which has taught her that each writer’s experience, imagination, and voice are essential to the human community. Frankie has published a guide, Do You Feel Like Writing? A Creative Guide to Artistic Confidence, and two works of fiction, The Sin Eater and Other Stories, and The Grief Manuscript. After years of teaching creative writing in community classes, as a teaching artist in the schools, and as a full-time creative writing college academic, Rollins launched her own writing coaching business, the Fifth Brain Collective, offering one-on-one coaching, weekly creative memberships online, and live/online classes. Leslie Gray Streeter is an award-winning journalist and columnist for the Baltimore Banner. She is the author of the memoir Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People Who Normally Avoid Books with Words Like “Journey” in the Title, the cohost of the podcast Fine Beats and Cheeses, and a frequent speaker on grief. She is also a slow runner, an amateur vegan cook, and a fan of Law & Order. Leslie lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with her son, Brooks. For more information, visit www.lesliegraystreeter.com.  Capital Workspaces
4701 Sangamore Road Suite 100N Bethesda, Maryland Saturday, May 10, 2025 12 pm - 3 pm ET A book signing and share event featuring local DC/MD/VA authors: Sharon Burton, Sandra Davis, Jen Packard, Sherry Stein, Dr. Sandra Wilson, and Marcie Wolf-Hubbard. Free and Open to the public. Event will feature author readings, book sales/signings and light refreshments. Register at the button below.  Older Americans Month (OAM) is an annual observance in the United States each May to recognize, honor, and celebrate the contributions and achievements of older adults. It also raises awareness about issues facing aging populations and promotes programs that support their well-being and independence. The theme for Older Americans Month 2025 is "Flip the Script on Aging". The focus is on transforming the narrative around aging to be more inclusive, positive, and focused on the opportunities and contributions of older adults.
In honor of OAM, Spark Your Creative will feature a LIVE panel discussion entitled Still Rising: Elevating the Voices of Older Women in Art and Writing. Our guests are members of Tribe 55, a Maryland-based creative collective of women over 55. Learn how the collective was launched and their inspiration to keep creating in their silver and golden years. This presentation will be presented on Spark Your Creative's Facebook and YouTube Pages on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET. Don't miss this informative and inspirational panel discussion focused on the benefits of creative aging!  You're Invited: A Restful Reset for Creatives Virtual Yoga Nidra Meditation Session for Artists, Creatives & Writers Date: Monday, April 14, 2025 Time: 11:30 am ET Location: Online Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or creatively blocked during these uncertain times? Join me for a 30-minute virtual Yoga Nidra meditation session designed especially for artists, creatives, and writers seeking calm, clarity, and creative renewal. What is Yoga Nidra? Yoga Nidra, also known as "yogic sleep," is a deeply restful, guided meditation practice that allows the body to relax while the mind remains gently aware. It’s a powerful technique for accessing the subconscious, reducing stress, and restoring inner peace—all while lying down in a comfortable position. Why It's Perfect for Creatives:
NOTE: Sessions will not be recorded. RSVP to receive the link and more information.  18th Annual Kensington Day of the Book Festival
Sunday, April 27, 2025 11 AM - 4 PM Kensington, Maryland The Kensington Day of the Book Festival is a family friendly street festival, held rain or shine, spanning three blocks of Howard Avenue in the heart of historic Kensington, Maryland. I will be sharing and signing Creative Sparks: 21 Affirmations & Inspiration for Creativity at Midlife. Come meet authors, poets, literary and community organizations. Live music on a few stages, special guest speakers, poetry readings, cookbook demos, children’s program, and much more. Not your average book festival! Now in its 18th year, this festival offers something for everyone! |
past events
June 2026
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