Workshops

1. Dancing Hands Workshop

Rita Blitt often speaks of “letting her hands dance on paper” as she creates her rhythmic gestural artwork. Before beginning workshop, tape corners of back of each drawing pad to the table, allowing freedom to draw with both hands at once.

1. See film “Dancing Hands: Visual Arts of Rita Blitt”, 24 minutes or “Caught in Paint”, 6 minutes.
2. Turn on music. Rita prefers to play “Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony”. However, any music that inspires movement could be chosen.
3. Participants let their hands dance on paper. Following three rules:
   1. Pretend you’re alone in the room. Don’t speak to anyone or look at anyone else’s paper.
   2. Work quickly letting the lines flow from deep within you, using one hand or two at once.
   3. Feel as you draw, allowing each line to come from deep within you.
4. Turn off music and end the drawing period when it feels like the group is ready to stop.
5. Discuss the experience and ask if anyone would like to share his or her drawings.

2. Movement Workshop:

1. Place drawing tables at the sides of the room leaving the center open for movement. Tape corners of back each drawing pad to the tables allowing freedom to draw with both at hands at once.
2. After watching films “Caught in Paint” and “Visual Rhythms”, convene the participants in the center of the room. They should sit comfortably on the floor in front of the instructor to receive inspiring instructions:
   1. When the music begins, feel the music, pretend that you are alone in the room and begin to move to the music.
   2. When each participant is ready they should go at that moment to the table and extend their movement onto the drawing paper, using one hand or two at once.
   3. When ready, each individual should return to the floor and move to the music until ready to once again extend movement onto the drawing paper. This movement/drawing process can be repeated over and over at the will of the participant.
   4. Reconvene participants on the floor in the center to discuss their experience and to share drawings if they wish.

3. Nessie Workshop:

Although “Nessie the Sculpture” was written for children, all ages will enjoy making free form shapes, cutting them out and combining them to become a standing sculpture.

1. Download the book “Nessie the Sculpture” from www.ritablitt.com. (After clicking on enter, click Books, Films and Workshops on the toolbar).
2. See the “Nessie” pattern. Observe how the two parts are split so they can join and stand together.
3. Each participant draws his or her own free form shapes to be split and combined into a standing sculpture. Or/and:
   
   Participants could mount or paste the “Nessie” pattern to heavy cardboard, color or decorate, and combine parts to stand.

4. Kindness Workshop:

1. View film “What kindness means to me”
2. Discuss what kindness means to the participants.
3. Write prose or poetry and draw about kind deeds.
4. If available, wear the Kindness button and when ever you observe someone doing a kind act; pass the button on to them.

To purchase copies of films contact Rita@ritablitt.com.
Kindness buttons, posters, bumper stickers and activity guides are available at www.stop-violence.org and 816-587-4100.