Workshop 1 Feedback: Anna and Molly

October 10--Anna Ninan:

Overall, I was pretty happy with the way our workshop on Monday went. I felt like in a strange way it really did flow from concrete forms of creative expression (i.e. drawing and writing) into other forms, such as the conversations we had at the end. Beginning with these basic starting points of automatic writing & drawing seemed to get people settled into the environment, and allowed those who didn't want to be there to leave. As the workshop progressed into creating a final project, it seemed that there was a natural flow of expression, feeling, and connections within the room. In a way I believe it actually did become a safe space for people to be open and share.

From that, I think that it could be interesting to explore the possibilities of collaborative workshops where the projects themselves would actually tap into the creative energy flow between individuals as a group, rather just from individuals itself, to perhaps put together a project that would be meaningful.

On the notes of logistics:
I agree with our discussions after the workshop that as facilitators we could be more authoritative, although I think it's a careful balance between the being authoritative and still letting the needs and interests of the participants dictate the direction of the class. And our introduction was way too long.

October 10--Molly Little:

Anna, I think your comments are astute.
In thinking about how I would write my reflections on the workshop, I started off trying to differentiate between my experience of it and more objective reflections of how things went. Then I realized that I couldn't really differentiate between the two, because I think my experience of the whole thing affected my ability to be cognizant of different dynamics in the room and also to be an effective facilitator.
So, here are some things that have been on my mind:
I don't know why it didn't occur to me before we began the icebreaker, which involved asking people to write down a good and bad aspect of their day, but as soon as I had the piece of paper in front of me I froze. It was as though some of the reality of what was going on suddenly hit me. I realized that anything I'd write down about what had happened in my day would likely be something that is outside the bounds of the reality of daily reality for these women. This was one moment when some of what prison is all about began to get through to me--depriving people of life, of the world with all its multiplicity, in the most basic way. I realize that these are really obvious things to say, but I guess I just mean that they began to hit me emotionally as well as intellectually.
Why should that matter? I think I need to balance being sensitive and aware of and awake to what is going on while also staying 'on' as a facilitator, being present, engaging with people and not shutting down in a state of being stunned and horrified. Most of all, I don't want to get used to it--I don't want the feeling of horror to go away, I don't want that reality to become normal to me. I'd rather feel like I'm going to throw up once a week than have it become normal. But then again, feeling like I'm going to throw up isn't helping anyone and maybe it's just self-indulgent.
I feel like all of these thoughts are a little rambling and not particularly helpful. I agree with Anna's assessment of the workshop, logistical and otherwise.
I guess I would find some reflections from those who have done this before helpful. Is it stupid to ask how one ought to balance sensitivity and effectiveness?