Community + Values Special Event: Creative Expression & Wellbeing - Connecting & Creating in Community
A DU Diversity Summit Event:
Visit here to learn more
“I create art because somebody may not necessarily listen to the things that I say, but they will listen to a song if they like it…Even if the message in that song is hard, they’ll still listen to it… art is going to make you engage with the message, whether you agree with it or not. I think that’s what art does at its best: It brings up the questions for individuals to have to contemplate themselves.”
- Michael Acuña, aka Acuña Black, aka Ill Se7en
Creative Educator/Artist
Learn more: ‘Michael Acuña Is Transforming Denver Culture’ - Westword
Date/Time: Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Location: Community Commons - Room 1700 - Grand Forum Central
Food & beverages will be provided along with prize giveaways!
Wellbeing is all-encompassing—it can focus on mental, physical, spiritual, and financial wellness. The 4D experience at DU promotes wellbeing and encourages students to discover who they are, what they want, and how to get there through a more integrated process in meaningful connection to others. One can strengthen and support their wellbeing in a multitude of ways, and one of these ways is ‘creative expression.’ Creative expression can help communicate emotions, manage mental health, work through stress, increase energy, and so much more. It moves from the idea of ‘fixing’ yourself and more about ‘being’ your most authentic self.
In this upcoming workshop that is part of the DU Diversity Summit, Community + Values is excited to bring together a group of phenomenal DU and Denver community members who will delve into creative expression through an experiential workshop. Students will get the opportunity to discover ways to support and strengthen wellbeing through creative expression through a guided reading, music, spoken word, and art creation. Join us in exploring creative expression and learn how to honor your story and shape your wellbeing.
- Click here to learn more about the presenters
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Workshop Agenda
- Introduction to creative expression through an excerpt reading by Owen Kortz from The Broken Violin, a novel about music and the college transition that fosters discussions on community and belonging, mental health, and creativity.
- Composed spoken word and music collaborations featuring Michael Acuña, aka Acuña Black, aka Ill Se7en, Creative Educator/Artist & Peter Stoltzman, Executive Director, Colorado Music Bridge
- Spoken Word workshop
- Workshop debrief and share-out with DU Health & Counseling Center members, Michael J. LaFarr, PsyD, Executive Director & Chaney Cook, PsyD, Associate Director and Clinical Director of Counseling Services
- Conclusion and community artwork co-creation with Lauren Hartog, M.A., Assistant to the Director and graduate students of the Vicki Myhren Gallery at DU
- Introduction to creative expression through an excerpt reading by Owen Kortz from The Broken Violin, a novel about music and the college transition that fosters discussions on community and belonging, mental health, and creativity.
Watch ILL Se7en aka Acuna Black Time Traveler Directed by Bergerbot
ILL SE7EN aka ACUNA BLACK Crates of Vintage Dreams Project Connects visual art, Poetry, and Hip Hop, to the roots of who we are as people, breaking out of the box of stigma's and stereotypes showing the brilliance and possibilities of who we could be from the greatness of who we were. Acuna Black changes the narrative of what is to be yourself in a system built to destroy you.
Learn more about Owen's Kortz's work
"As an accountability partner, I have helped clients achieve Grammy-nominated success, along with other top distinctions in their fields. As a creative, I have performed with OneRepublic and Kina Grannis, and have had my songs featured on Netflix and NBC Sports. I have authored and published a novel, The Broken Violin, and co-founded the Singer/Songwriter Program and the LYNX National Arts and Media Camps at the University of Colorado, Denver."
Inspired joyful piano music by Peter John Stoltzman
"My mission is to be of service--to my family, my fans, and my community. Music is my primary vehicle: offering education that empowers and inspires, and performances and recordings that bring joy and transport you out of the stress of daily life. Whether you are here to learn or listen, my intention is for you to leave with something meaningful that impacts your life in a positive way."
Learn about the Vicki Myhren Gallery
The Vicki Myhren Gallery showcases and inspires creativity at the University of Denver. Through collaborative programs and dynamic exhibitions, the VMG encourages the interplay of artistic expression with student learning and serves as a multidisciplinary space for conversation, community, co-creation, performance, and practice of the arts.
Featuring:
ILL Seven
Creative Educator/Artist Michael ILL Se7en Acuna
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Learn about ILL
Michael Acuna aka ILL Se7en is an artist, Emcee, Poet and Ted X speaker, that utilizes creativity to engage change. In 2016 ILL Se7en Co-founded an organization/program called Tribal Xiphers with David Lee and Francisco Garcia. Tribal Xiphers is a rites of passage program for young people that empowers them with knowing their rights, African and Ingenious history as well as music production, business and song writing classes. Michael also facilitates Implicit bias workshops through Breaking barriers and the Youth outreach program.
Chaney Cook
DUHCC Associate Director/Clinical Director, University of Denver
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Learn about Chaney
Dr. Cook has a M.Ed. from the University of Oklahoma in Community Counseling and a M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Counseling from DU. Dr. Cook serves as the Clinical/Training Director of Counseling Services at the DUHCC. She has over thirty years of experience working with young adults, couples, families and adolescents, especially those within college and university settings.
Dr. Cook was the Director of Counseling and worked on staff at Regis University for 17 years before coming to DU. In addition, she has maintained a small private practice for over 20 years. Dr. Cook's areas of interest include working with clients who are struggling with issues related to depression, anxiety, personality disorders and self- harming behaviors. She uses clients’ strengths and a collaborative approach to determine the best course of treatment.
Lauren Hartog
Gallery Manager at Vicki Myhren Gallery
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Learn about Lauren
Lauren is a curator based in Denver since 2016. She graduated from the School of Art and Art History at the University of Denver in 2018 with a Masters degree in Art History and Museum studies. In addition to serving as the Gallery Manager of the Davis and Vicki Myhren Galleries at the University of Denver, she co-directs Friend of a Friend Gallery, a curatorial entity and project space, with local artist Derrick Velasquez.
Owen Kortz
Educator/Songwriter/Creativity Coach
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Learn about Owen
Owen Kortz is an educator, songwriter, and creativity coach who empowers individuals and organizations toward innovation and well-being. He has partnered with clients who have gone on achieve Grammy-nominated success, businesses to launch forward-thinking arts initiatives, and schools to found nationally recognized programs.
Owen has been on faculty at the University of Colorado Denver for the last 14 years, where he co-founded and directs the Singer/Songwriter Program and the LYNX National Arts & Media Camps. In 2021, Owen published his first novel, The Broken Violin, which explores the cross-section of creativity and well-being.
Michael LaFarr
Executive Director of Health and Counseling, University of Denver
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Learn about Michael
Dr. LaFarr is a clinical psychologist by training with a particular interest in public health. His professional Interests include : Health care disparity & access, health and wellness, college mental health, differences in learning, grief counseling, giftedness, psychodynamic treatment, sexual therapy, non-majority sexual orientation & transgender mental health.
Dr. LaFarr's prior professional experiences include: Executive Director of Health and Wellness at Brandeis University; Director of Student Affairs at the Harvard School of Public Health; Peace Corps of the United States, served in Mali, West Africa.
Peter Stoltzman
Executive Director, Colorado Music Bridge
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Learn about Peter
As the son of Grammy-winning clarinetist, Richard Stoltzman, and renowned violinist and educator, Lucy Chapman, Peter John Stoltzman naturally grew into a career as both a performer and teacher. Stoltzman has performed and recorded with jazz luminaries such as Steve Gadd, Eddie Gomez, Allison Miller, Tia Fuller, and many more. He has worked at the highest levels of the industry in virtually every style, from recording contemporary classical music to headlining jazz festivals, making Hip Hop tracks at Warner Bros., and accompanying songwriters. In 2020, Peter founded Colorado Music Bridge, a nonprofit dedicated to modern music education and mentorship. He has a doctorate in Music and Human Learning from UT Austin, and has been teaching in Colorado since 2012. Peter’s purpose is to be an access broker—building inclusive structures that support musicians in their careers and spread the joy of teaching, learning, and creating music.