events

The Aplomb Project invites you to join our upcoming events including free, trauma-informed creative workshops designed to offer a safe and empowering space for all participants. Our events are crafted with care to ensure that everyone, especially those who have experienced trauma, can engage in creative expression with confidence and comfort. We prioritize clear communication, provide choices, and respect personal boundaries to create an inclusive environment where emotional healing and personal growth are encouraged. Come be a part of our supportive community and explore your creativity in a space that values and respects your unique journey.

Up Next

November 17, 2024 - Through the Labyrinth

At Aplomb Gallery and via Zoom

December 3, 2024 - Paint-a-thon

Artists are using their skills to support The Aplomb Project for Giving Tuesday but they can only sketch until donors unlock colors! Help each team access new colors with with a donation towards our arts-based 501(c)3 supportting trauma survivors. Sponsor an individual artist or team while they are working to extend their pallette. Keep an eye out for live progress and select finished work will be available to bid on in a silent auction the next day!

Recurring Events

Aplomb Community meetup events are happening every month. See more information on joining here.

Bilateral Drawing

Bilateral drawing stimulates both hemispheres of the brain, connecting thinking with feeling. It can be used for self regulation, grounding, and even warming up! You do not have to be an artist to join in for this half hour guided drawing experience via zoom with Spira Politis. Have some large paper on hand, newsprint or a even couple of copy paper pages together, tape and dry medium tools (pencils, markers, pastels, pens, crayons). Families welcome, and anyone local to Aplomb may join in person.

Join the Aplomb Community to participate

Art History Chat Series

Join artist and printmaker Sally Dion as she leads us in an ongoing series of Art History chats. You don't have to know have any prior knowledge of art to enjoy. Just tune in and explore the work of artists who have a connection to healing through art. The first talk will highlight French-American artist, Louise Joséphine Bourgeois. Sally Dion is an artist in residence at Studio 599 in Lawrence MA with an MFA and BFA from Mass College of Art and Design.

Join the Aplomb Community to participate

Past

Join our community for free access to previously recorded workshops.

October 20, 2024 - Finding Your Zentangle

At Aplomb Gallery and via Zoom

September 29, 2024 - Mindful Stitching

At Aplomb Gallery and via Zoom

September 20, 2024 - The Boston Area Portrait Project Exhibition and Gala

Bringing the exhibition to Wakefield, MA at the Lakeside Inn

August 18, 2024 - Botanitcal Pounding

At Aplomb Gallery and via Zoom

June 22, 2024 - The Portrait Project Exhibition and Gala

Opening in Dover, NH at Aplomb Gallery and Chapel + Main

January 13, 2024 - Writing as Medicine and Visions from Our Voices

Join in person at Aplomb Gallery or via zoom for a healing writing circle led by Donna Jenson from 2-3:30 PM and an opening reception for a pop up collage exhibit depicting survivor writing from 4-5 PM. RSVP to attend one or both. Free and open to the public, suggested donation of $15.

With a history of building three grass roots women’s centers in the NY City region Jenson founded Time To Tell (TTT) with a mission to spark stories from lives affected by incest and sexual abuse to be told and heard. Since 2008 she has been leading writing and mindfulness workshops for survivors to find their voice and use it.

January 14, 2024 - Kendra Scott Shine Bright, Do Good

Join in-person or online as Kendra Scott supports The Aplomb Project with 20% of each purchase going towards our mission. Select survivor portrait paintings will be on display at 1242 Market St, Lynnfield, MA while we enjoy sips, sweets and sparkly gems from 3-6pm. Shop online with code GIVEBACK-FSXKN from January 7-9, 2024. We even have custom jewelry options to match our cause colors!

December 16, 2023 - Art Material Drive + Swap

Drop in at Aplomb gallery from 12-2PM to donate or swap lightly used art materials. The supplies we collect will be used to add to our art kits for trauma survivors. It is best if they fit into 9x12 padded envelopes.

Subscribe to be notified when we do this again!

November 28, 2023 - Giving Tuesday Paint-a-thon

Artists are using their skills to support The Aplomb Project for Giving Tuesday but they can only sketch until donors unlock colors! Help each team access new colors with with a donation towards our arts-based 501(c)3 supportting trauma survivors. Sponsor an individual artist or team while they are working to extend their pallette. Keep an eye out for live progress and select finished work will be available to bid on in a silent auction the next day!

August 13, 2023 - 3-5PM - Trauma Survival Poetry Reading

Join in a poetry reading event that will feature published poets working in the theme of trauma survival. Some of the poets will be available to sign copies of their published works. Attending this event also provides an opportunity to view trauma survivor portraits and poems currently on display in the Aplomb gallery. See the poet bios and books.

July 16, 2023 from 4-7 PM - Send and Receive: Affirmation Postcard Making

Join The Aplomb Project for a trauma-informed creative event that is free and open to the public with advanced registration requested. Attendees are invited to come to Aplomb Gallery and use various materials to embellish postcards with words of encouragement or uplifting imagery. After the event, Executive Director, Danielle Festa, will mix the postcards up and mail them out anonymously to each participant. For those who would like to participate on zoom, there is a $5 fee to offset shipping materials that will be sent out in advance with a self-addressed envelope. After the event, virtual attendees can return the finished postcard to Aplomb Gallery for re-delivery to another participant. Not only is the experience of using art materials to create affirmations healing; weeks later, participants will be uplifted again by an anonymous message of encouragement. Thank you to our event sponsor, Cambridge Trust.

June 25, 2023 from 12-2 PM - Drawing Inspirations

We will be meeting at Wagon Hill Farm Trail in Dover to walk the trails and journal/draw/take photos while drawing inspiration from the nature around us. No prior art experience needed! We will have lunch on the picnic tables after.

June 24, 2023 from 7 PM - 11 PM - The Portrait Project Exhibition and Gala

For the second year, Aplomb Gallery will be displaying and presenting portraits to trauma survivors. This year, The Aplomb Project has formed as a 501(c)3 and we will be having a fundraiser event that we would love to have you join as well. The evening will begin at Aplomb Gallery where guests can view the Portrait Project exhibition of survivor paintings from 7-8:30 PM with complimentary champagne and seltzer. Those with gala tickets will head next door to Chapel + Main restaurant. Our guests will be treated to various options, including passed hot hors d'oeuvres, an array of chilled appetizers, and beverage service available for purchase to complement the night. At 9 PM virtual guests will join us on a projected zoom. Executive Director and artist, Danielle Festa discuss the project and show a video of the paintings being revealed to the survivors. Special guests will make a few remarks followed by the raffle drawings and auction including board member Jai Mitchell's original painting. Thank you to our event sponsors listed below.

June 24, 2023 from 10 AM - 12 PM - Healing Sand Sculptures

Help create a group sand sculpture of a phoenix, a symbol of strength. Make a keychain with a vile of sand to take home as a memory. Free for members and kids, $20 for additional adults. We will be meeting at Wallis Sand beach in Rye for bagels, muffins, fruit, coffee, OJ. Thank you to our event sponsor Lesniak Home Team.