EVENTS
Current Offerings
The Free Columbia Artist Residency Program
The Free Columbia Artist Residency Program is accepting applications for our fall program which runs from September 15 through December 15. The residency involves the undertaking of a self-directed project, living in community with other young artists, and contemplative inquiry into art, creative impulse, and spirit.
Music Theory Course with Patrick Loughrey
Join a fantastic teacher and musician in an exploration of music theory which delves into the complex world of intervals, chord make-up, and progressions.
Cold Wax: Composition + Contemplation
For two sessions this July, Laura will teach an in-person intensive in the medium of cold wax, a unique and exciting material for working with color, form, layering, and exploration.
Past Events
Opening Space
The deep inquiry process will follow a unique combination of Joseph Campbell‘s hero(ine)’s Journey and the Presencing Institute prototyping process, from Allie‘s commissioned book, Yoga Radicals. Join us in an immersive workshop designed to shift from ME to WE awareness through a dynamic yet grounded ecology of communication. Explore how awareness, creativity, and action can co-evolve and yield surprising insights both personally and collectively. We will use meditation, poetry, dialogue, different hand to paper, drawing and painting techniques, as well as movement and stillness, practice practices.
Sliding scale : $0- 275
For more information contact:
Laura Summer: info@freecolumbia.org or 518 653 2350
Painting as Devotion - Devotion through Life: Block Printing and Biography
Using music and biography for inspiration we will create a 3 piece block print of 3 significant events in our lives and collage them into one expression. No experience is necessary, the techniques are both exciting and forgiving.
Laura Summer is a painter and the director of Free Columbia.
Soren Dietzel is a musician and biography social artist. He is currently the residency director at Free Columbia and an avid saxophonist and songwriter. Biography work took his interest during his Saturn return at 28 years of age and has con<nued to inspire him in the subsequent four years. Sharing in this community witnessing practice of self-transformation is one of his greatest joys.
Sliding scale $0-650
For more info contact Laura Summer: laurasummer@taconic.net
Painting as Devotion: Plant Forms and Complementary Colors
Working with watercolor, pastel, pencil, poetry and ink we will explore a process of artistic devotion and what it reveals to us. We will explore what plants look like and what they feel like. We will explore the same questions with color. No experience is necessary, the techniques are both exciting and forgiving.
Sliding Scale $0-650
For more information contact Laura Summer: laurasummer@taconic.net or 518 653 2350
Free Columbia Residency Show and Art Dispersal in Spring Valley
Join us at Threefold Auditorium for a creative and collaborative artistic showcase from our current cohort of artists in residence!
Put a Pocket In It!
Come make a pocket to wear under or over your clothes and make an apron for any kind of work you do (or party you want to go to!). We will explore the history of pockets and why so many clothes don't have them! You can bring your favorite clothes that don't have pockets and we can add them. If you have a working sewing machine, you are welcome to bring it. I will have two to share and hand sewing is welcome. We will meet at the Philmont Community Center May 6, 13, 20, 27th from 5:30-7:30. The cost is on a sliding scale of $0-$200 and sponsored by Free Columbia and the Philmont Community Center and geared towards teenagers and adults. To register or if you have questions please email me at ameliafloweringheart@gmail.com
Garden Party Fundraiser - Eloise Avery Residency Art Show
Join us Saturday the 24th in the afternoon and early evening for a series of amazing events at Free Columbia. As part of our grassroots fundraising campaign, we are hosting a garden party and potluck that will include live music, firing up the pizza oven, a raffle held by current artists in residence, and the final residency presentation of Eloise Avery, who has been working hard on painting for the last 5 months and has an incredible body of work to share. Eloise will give an artist talk at 5 PM, and there will be music and food afterwards, as well as some sharing about the residency program. Bring a dish for potluck, and we hope to see you there!
Put a Pocket In It!
Come make a pocket to wear under or over your clothes and make an apron for any kind of work you do (or party you want to go to!). We will explore the history of pockets and why so many clothes don't have them! You can bring your favorite clothes that don't have pockets and we can add them. If you have a working sewing machine, you are welcome to bring it. I will have two to share and hand sewing is welcome. We will meet at the Philmont Community Center May 6, 13, 20, 27th from 5:30-7:30. The cost is on a sliding scale of $0-$200 and sponsored by Free Columbia and the Philmont Community Center and geared towards teenagers and adults. To register or if you have questions please email me at ameliafloweringheart@gmail.com
Put a Pocket In It!
Come make a pocket to wear under or over your clothes and make an apron for any kind of work you do (or party you want to go to!). We will explore the history of pockets and why so many clothes don't have them! You can bring your favorite clothes that don't have pockets and we can add them. If you have a working sewing machine, you are welcome to bring it. I will have two to share and hand sewing is welcome. We will meet at the Philmont Community Center May 6, 13, 20, 27th from 5:30-7:30. The cost is on a sliding scale of $0-$200 and sponsored by Free Columbia and the Philmont Community Center and geared towards teenagers and adults. To register or if you have questions please email me at ameliafloweringheart@gmail.com
Put a Pocket In It!
Come make a pocket to wear under or over your clothes and make an apron for any kind of work you do (or party you want to go to!). We will explore the history of pockets and why so many clothes don't have them! You can bring your favorite clothes that don't have pockets and we can add them. If you have a working sewing machine, you are welcome to bring it. I will have two to share and hand sewing is welcome. We will meet at the Philmont Community Center May 6, 13, 20, 27th from 5:30-7:30. The cost is on a sliding scale of $0-$200 and sponsored by Free Columbia and the Philmont Community Center and geared towards teenagers and adults. To register or if you have questions please email me at ameliafloweringheart@gmail.com
Art Dispersal: 12 Virtues (Spring Valley)
Art dispersal in Spring Valley/Chestnut Ridge, NY at the Anthroposophical Society Easter Conference, an in-person art dispersal of Laura's Virtues paintings. These 12 paintings are framed , 11x14 inches.
The dispersal will be organized by Patricia Lynch (patriciahomanlynch@gmail.com). You may contact her with any questions.
Art Dispersal is an event where we hang up original works of art and invite people to become their stewards. They can take a piece home, keep it for as long as they like, as well as return it to the artist if they no longer want to keep it. Stewards are offered an opportunity to make a contribution to Free Columbia. Contributions are on a sliding scale of $0-300, they support Free Columbia and the Anthroposophical Society.
Art Dispersal: Shredding
In January of 2025 I worked on a series called "Shredding". It was inspired by the feeling that I had of the shredding that must happen in order for the spirit to become visible. As the middle space is shredded, the light, movement, the feeling, begins to peak through. Each painting has a slightly different experience of this.
You can view the Paintings HERE , then email Laura (laurasummer@taconic.net), make a donation and she will send you the painting.
This album contains 12 pictures of the paintings in the series “Shredding”
Sliding scale on all paintings is $0-200.
This dispersal is an online event. All paintings are unframed and easy to ship. Shipping cost is up to you. Paintings will be shipped after Easter.
Art Dispersal is an event where we hang up original works of art and invite people to become their stewards. They can take a piece home, keep it for as long as they like, as well as return it to the artist if they no longer want to keep it. Stewards are offered an opportunity to make a contribution to Free Columbia.
Free Columbia has run 20 Art Dispersals over the past 12 years, with over 800 paintings (as well as other works of art) dispersed to stewards in Hudson, Philmont, Spring Valley, and Manhattan, NY; Eugene and Portland, OR; Los Angeles, CA; New Orleans, LA; and Jarna, Sweden. In 2020 we held our first online art dispersal in collaboration with the Anthroposophical Society in North America.
Apocalyptic Revelations: Lecture by Rev. Michael Brewer
Rev. Michael Brewer discussing the Book of Revelation from the perspective of a priest.
The Revelation to John, also called the Apocalypse, is the last book of the New Testament of the Bible. It is a complex and difficult text to come into relationship with, but it is a deep experience to know it well. Laura writes: I am a painter and, therefore, I really only know things through drawing and painting. In 2023/24 I worked with the Apocalypse by creating 22 drawings in ink and 22 paintings in oil and cold wax, one for each of the 22 chapters. Contact Laura for more info
The exhibition is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 1 PM–5 PM. For more information, please visit www.lightformsartcenter.com
Apocalyptic Revelations: Concert by Kai Naor
The Revelation to John, also called the Apocalypse, is the last book of the New Testament of the Bible. It is a complex and difficult text to come into relationship with, but it is a deep experience to know it well. Laura writes: I am a painter and, therefore, I really only know things through drawing and painting. In 2023/24 I worked with the Apocalypse by creating 22 drawings in ink and 22 paintings in oil and cold wax, one for each of the 22 chapters. Contact Laura for more info
The exhibition is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 1 PM–5 PM. For more information, please visit www.lightformsartcenter.com
Apocalyptic Revelations: Concert by Jen Zimberg
The Revelation to John, also called the Apocalypse, is the last book of the New Testament of the Bible. It is a complex and difficult text to come into relationship with, but it is a deep experience to know it well. Laura writes: I am a painter and, therefore, I really only know things through drawing and painting. In 2023/24 I worked with the Apocalypse by creating 22 drawings in ink and 22 paintings in oil and cold wax, one for each of the 22 chapters. Contact Laura for more info
The exhibition is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 1 PM–5 PM. For more information, please visit www.lightformsartcenter.com
Apocalyptic Revelations: Lecture by Kevin Dann
Lecture by Kevin Dann: An exploration of the Book of Revelation through the lenses of art history and spiritual science.
The Revelation to John, also called the Apocalypse, is the last book of the New Testament of the Bible. It is a complex and difficult text to come into relationship with, but it is a deep experience to know it well. Laura writes: I am a painter and, therefore, I really only know things through drawing and painting. In 2023/24 I worked with the Apocalypse by creating 22 drawings in ink and 22 paintings in oil and cold wax, one for each of the 22 chapters. Contact Laura for more info
The exhibition is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 1 PM–5 PM. For more information, please visit www.lightformsartcenter.com
Apocalyptic Revelations: Biography Workshop
The Revelation to John, also called the Apocalypse, is the last book of the New Testament of the Bible. It is a complex and difficult text to come into relationship with, but it is a deep experience to know it well. Laura writes: I am a painter and, therefore, I really only know things through drawing and painting. In 2023/24 I worked with the Apocalypse by creating 22 drawings in ink and 22 paintings in oil and cold wax, one for each of the 22 chapters. Contact Laura for more info
The exhibition is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 1 PM–5 PM. For more information, please visit www.lightformsartcenter.com
“Are There Frogs Coming Out of Your Mouth?” A workshop exploring the apocalypse as a transformative experience, using biography and community dialogue. Led by Soren Dietzel and Laura Summer.
Apocalyptic Revelations: Opening and Artist Talk
The Revelation to John, also called the Apocalypse, is the last book of the New Testament of the Bible. It is a complex and difficult text to come into relationship with, but it is a deep experience to know it well. Laura writes: I am a painter and, therefore, I really only know things through drawing and painting. In 2023/24 I worked with the Apocalypse by creating 22 drawings in ink and 22 paintings in oil and cold wax, one for each of the 22 chapters. Contact Laura for more info
The exhibition is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, 1 PM–5 PM. For more information, please visit www.lightformsartcenter.com
Painting as Devotion
To devote yourself to something is to quiet yourself and enter into the other. In this course we will use drawing and painting to do this. If you want to draw something, a stone, a flower, an animal or a person, you must look at it, you must stop thinking of what your drawing should look like and really look at the object. You must devote yourself to it. When we do this, asking the question, what is there, we are often surprised to discover in the process something we did not suspect before.
March 5th to May 14
This class will be taught online Wednesdays at 10 AM Eastern Time for 10 weeks, with no class on April 16. There is a sliding scale of $0-200
Email Laura to learn more or sign up: laurasummer@taconic.net
Kai Naor in concert !!
A Sunday Afternoon Concert
As part of the Metamorphosis of Fear Project Kai Naor will play new work and old favorites.
Felt Hats
Felt hats- Make a beautiful and functional winter hat in two afternoon sessions using traditional methods and hat molds. Learn wet felting techniques as well as some of the history and cultures that have felted for thousands of years. This class is for teens and adults and is a collaboration between Flowering Heart, Free Columbia and the Philmont Community Center. November 16th and 23rd from 1:30 -4pm. Sliding scale fee of $0-200, payable to Free Columbia.
Biography Sessions with Soren Dietzel
Metamorphosis of Fear
3 Biography Sessions
Come explore your own relationship to transforming fear through your biography. These three guided recalling exercises have an arc in relationship to the 15 phases given by Rudolf Steiner to Jan Stutten when he gave him the theme. You may come to one or all three sessions.
Sundays at 2:
November 10: Fear and Courage
November 17: Failure as Gift
November 24: Transformation
Soren Dietzel is a musician and social artist. Immediately when meeting this theme he found a correlation to the therapeutic biography work he has been doing for the last four years and set to work developing this research. He is using typical biography forms with prompts, art and sharing time as well as the incorporation of saxophone music.
History of the Project and GAME night !!
After seeing the original story boards by Jan Stutten for the Metamorphosis of Fear, architect Chriss Summer Roidt developed a board game with this theme. On Saturday November 9th Laura Summer will give a brief history of the work of Jan Stutten followed by an opportunity to play the new game. Chriss will come from Boston to lead us.
Metamorphosis of Fear
Our Month at Lightforms Art Center devoted to the Metamorphosis of Fear will open on Friday November 8 at 6pm. Come see this collaborative work evolve during November with many events and performances.
