Tracy Rittmueller is an artist in residence at First United Methodist Church of the Saint Cloud Region. Tracy talks about one of her resilience and healing writing workshops in which participants are given safe space to be seen and explore their artistic voice.
Transcript
Opening: This is Minnesota’s Legacy: A look at the organizations and people who have benefitted from Minnesota’s unique Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
Amira Warren-Yearby: Have you ever participated in a creative writing workshop and, at the end of the session, you’re asked to share your work with the group? For some, the experience sparks inspiration and growth. For others, this process can leave feelings of misunderstanding or judgment, and perhaps turns them off from writing altogether.
Tracy Ritmuller: I see so many people who have something important to say to the world, and they can't say it because they've been through something like that.
Warren-Yearby: That’s Tracy Ritmuller, a Minnesota-based teaching artist and poet. Tracy says it's important for every learner to have a space where they can explore what she calls the artful use of language.
Ritmuller: Sometimes poetry says it better than words can say it.
Warren-Yearby: Tracy was chosen by First United Methodist Church in St. Cloud to serve as their Artist-in-Residence, working with a cohort of 12 participants. These workshops were supported by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. To ensure that a writing workshop experience is inspiring rather than disheartening, Tracy says,
Ritmuller: We need to start with the safe witnessing…noticing each other's words with gratitude, empowering their communication, appreciating them...
Warren-Yearby: In her workshop, Tracy taught participants the value of body awareness and helped them identify and navigate their own fight-flight-freeze responses.
Ritmuller: ...I go into what's happening to us when we feel like we need to armor up and self-protect […] we stop our ability to connect with each other.
Warren-Yearby: The cohort provided participants with an opportunity to overcome fear and foster that connection. Tracy explains that this process helps them to develop deeper compassion for one another making it safe for all.
Ritmuller: It was such a transformational experience for them that they continued to meet on their own every month for the past year.
Warren-Yearby: Find more information about Tracey and her work at slippery joy dot com.
Closing: Minnesota’s Legacy is a production of AMPERS, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, more at ampers dot org.