Arts & Connection Programs
Supporting mental health and building resilience through artistic expression and social connection
Please see descriptions for details and how to register. All programs are offered free of charge.
Biweekly on Wednesdays
Every other week, we will gather at TWI for queer companionship, connection, and fun. Each session features a different type of “parallel play” to facilitate easy socializing and learn new creative skills. Past sessions have featured adult coloring, game night, art night, and a journaling night. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Register once and attend any of the sessions.
Tuesdays, January 7–28
Virtual via Zoom
Join us for this four-part series to explore our experiences of motherhood while connecting in community. Using simple, easy, and accessible art materials and techniques, we will share stories and create images based on our own mothering journeys. Mothers over the age of 18 are invited to attend. Led by Alma Molina.
To register for this group, please call 434.328.1800 or email bienestar@thewomensinitiative.org.
Biweekly on Tuesdays
Explore and celebrate the diverse tapestry of queer history with Queer History Club, a biweekly program dedicated to delving into significant moments and figures from queer history around the world. Each session will feature a discussion of a different type of media, including podcasts, book chapters, and documentaries, to cater to different learning styles and deepen our collective understanding. Our discussions will span every continent and various time periods, providing a rich, global perspective on queer history. This group welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and levels of knowledge to join in the conversation, reflect on the past, and connect with the broader queer community. Members of the LGBTQ+ community 18 years old and up are invited to attend. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Friday, January 17, and Friday, February 21
Join us in creating a vibrant collective space where BIPOC LGBTQ individuals can connect and thrive together. Each week will bring an opportunity to socialize, learn, and connect with community through various activities, such as a BIPOC LGBTQ+ filmmaker showcase, artmaking, and more. In January, we invite you for vision board creation, group affirmations, and guided goal-setting discussion. In February, we will celebrate Black History Month and uplift the contributions of Black queer icons. Individuals who identify as both BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) are invited to participate. Led by Latricia Giles.
Click here to register.
Register once and attend any of the sessions.
Saturday, January 18
We invite you to explore rest as resistance in this two-part restorative retreat series. In January, we will kick off the new year by setting intentions and visualizing our desires through a vision board party. Materials will be provided. In February, embrace your power through affirmations and self-love rituals. Learn how to create powerful affirmations that support your self-esteem and challenge negative self-talk. We'll also explore simple self-love rituals to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) 18 and older are invited to attend. Led by Latricia Giles.
Click here to register.
Tuesdays, January 7–28
Virtual via Zoom
Join us for this four-part series to explore our experiences of motherhood while connecting in community. Using simple, easy, and accessible art materials and techniques, we will share stories and create images based on our own mothering journeys. Mothers over the age of 18 are invited to attend. Led by Alma Molina.
To register for this group, please call 434.328.1800 or email bienestar@thewomensinitiative.org.
Biweekly on Wednesdays
Every other week, we will gather at TWI for queer companionship, connection, and fun. Each session features a different type of “parallel play” to facilitate easy socializing and learn new creative skills. Past sessions have featured adult coloring, game night, art night, and a journaling night. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Register once and attend any of the sessions.
Every 4th Thursday, ongoing
This group is a safe space for transgender women and transfeminine adult individuals (18 years and older) in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and surrounding areas in Virginia to connect, share, learn from one another, and provide mutual encouragement along our unique, personal journeys. Respecting and maintaining the privacy of individuals and the confidentiality of what is shared in our circle is of utmost importance. Led by Kayla Capps, Ashley Glennon, and members of the TWI Q Staff Alliance.
For more information and to register (preferred names or initials are fine), email cvilletranswomen@gmail.com. Attend any of the sessions.
Bi-weekly on Thursdays, January 23–March 20
Join us every other Thursday evening to explore writing as a means of cultivating personal growth and healing. These drop-in hours are open to women with any level of writing experience. We may look at excerpts from works that show the transformative power of personal narrative and explore how the writing process can serve as a healing tool for adversity and painful experiences. Participants will receive support to work on their own healing narratives. Led by Erin James, MFA.
Click here to register.
Tuesdays, January 7–28
Virtual via Zoom
Join us for this four-part series to explore our experiences of motherhood while connecting in community. Using simple, easy, and accessible art materials and techniques, we will share stories and create images based on our own mothering journeys. Mothers over the age of 18 are invited to attend. Led by Alma Molina.
To register for this group, please call 434.328.1800 or email bienestar@thewomensinitiative.org.
Biweekly on Tuesdays
Explore and celebrate the diverse tapestry of queer history with Queer History Club, a biweekly program dedicated to delving into significant moments and figures from queer history around the world. Each session will feature a discussion of a different type of media, including podcasts, book chapters, and documentaries, to cater to different learning styles and deepen our collective understanding. Our discussions will span every continent and various time periods, providing a rich, global perspective on queer history. This group welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and levels of knowledge to join in the conversation, reflect on the past, and connect with the broader queer community. Members of the LGBTQ+ community 18 years old and up are invited to attend. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Biweekly on Wednesdays
Every other week, we will gather at TWI for queer companionship, connection, and fun. Each session features a different type of “parallel play” to facilitate easy socializing and learn new creative skills. Past sessions have featured adult coloring, game night, art night, and a journaling night. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Register once and attend any of the sessions.
Bi-weekly on Thursdays, January 23–March 20
Join us every other Thursday evening to explore writing as a means of cultivating personal growth and healing. These drop-in hours are open to women with any level of writing experience. We may look at excerpts from works that show the transformative power of personal narrative and explore how the writing process can serve as a healing tool for adversity and painful experiences. Participants will receive support to work on their own healing narratives. Led by Erin James, MFA.
Click here to register.
Biweekly on Tuesdays
Explore and celebrate the diverse tapestry of queer history with Queer History Club, a biweekly program dedicated to delving into significant moments and figures from queer history around the world. Each session will feature a discussion of a different type of media, including podcasts, book chapters, and documentaries, to cater to different learning styles and deepen our collective understanding. Our discussions will span every continent and various time periods, providing a rich, global perspective on queer history. This group welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and levels of knowledge to join in the conversation, reflect on the past, and connect with the broader queer community. Members of the LGBTQ+ community 18 years old and up are invited to attend. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Biweekly on Wednesdays
Every other week, we will gather at TWI for queer companionship, connection, and fun. Each session features a different type of “parallel play” to facilitate easy socializing and learn new creative skills. Past sessions have featured adult coloring, game night, art night, and a journaling night. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Register once and attend any of the sessions.
Bi-weekly on Thursdays, January 23–March 20
Join us every other Thursday evening to explore writing as a means of cultivating personal growth and healing. These drop-in hours are open to women with any level of writing experience. We may look at excerpts from works that show the transformative power of personal narrative and explore how the writing process can serve as a healing tool for adversity and painful experiences. Participants will receive support to work on their own healing narratives. Led by Erin James, MFA.
Click here to register.
Friday, January 17, and Friday, February 21
Join us in creating a vibrant collective space where BIPOC LGBTQ individuals can connect and thrive together. Each week will bring an opportunity to socialize, learn, and connect with community through various activities, such as a BIPOC LGBTQ+ filmmaker showcase, artmaking, and more. In January, we invite you for vision board creation, group affirmations, and guided goal-setting discussion. In February, we will celebrate Black History Month and uplift the contributions of Black queer icons. Individuals who identify as both BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) are invited to participate. Led by Latricia Giles.
Click here to register.
Register once and attend any of the sessions.
Saturday, February 22
We invite you to explore rest as resistance in this two-part restorative retreat series. In January, we will kick off the new year by setting intentions and visualizing our desires through a vision board party. Materials will be provided. In February, embrace your power through affirmations and self-love rituals. Learn how to create powerful affirmations that support your self-esteem and challenge negative self-talk. We'll also explore simple self-love rituals to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) 18 and older are invited to attend. Led by Latricia Giles.
Click here to register.
Biweekly on Tuesdays
Explore and celebrate the diverse tapestry of queer history with Queer History Club, a biweekly program dedicated to delving into significant moments and figures from queer history around the world. Each session will feature a discussion of a different type of media, including podcasts, book chapters, and documentaries, to cater to different learning styles and deepen our collective understanding. Our discussions will span every continent and various time periods, providing a rich, global perspective on queer history. This group welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and levels of knowledge to join in the conversation, reflect on the past, and connect with the broader queer community. Members of the LGBTQ+ community 18 years old and up are invited to attend. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Every 4th Thursday, ongoing
This group is a safe space for transgender women and transfeminine adult individuals (18 years and older) in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and surrounding areas in Virginia to connect, share, learn from one another, and provide mutual encouragement along our unique, personal journeys. Respecting and maintaining the privacy of individuals and the confidentiality of what is shared in our circle is of utmost importance. Led by Kayla Capps, Ashley Glennon, and members of the TWI Q Staff Alliance.
For more information and to register (preferred names or initials are fine), email cvilletranswomen@gmail.com. Attend any of the sessions.
Biweekly on Wednesdays
Every other week, we will gather at TWI for queer companionship, connection, and fun. Each session features a different type of “parallel play” to facilitate easy socializing and learn new creative skills. Past sessions have featured adult coloring, game night, art night, and a journaling night. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Register once and attend any of the sessions.
Bi-weekly on Thursdays, January 23–March 20
Join us every other Thursday evening to explore writing as a means of cultivating personal growth and healing. These drop-in hours are open to women with any level of writing experience. We may look at excerpts from works that show the transformative power of personal narrative and explore how the writing process can serve as a healing tool for adversity and painful experiences. Participants will receive support to work on their own healing narratives. Led by Erin James, MFA.
Click here to register.
Biweekly on Tuesdays
Explore and celebrate the diverse tapestry of queer history with Queer History Club, a biweekly program dedicated to delving into significant moments and figures from queer history around the world. Each session will feature a discussion of a different type of media, including podcasts, book chapters, and documentaries, to cater to different learning styles and deepen our collective understanding. Our discussions will span every continent and various time periods, providing a rich, global perspective on queer history. This group welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and levels of knowledge to join in the conversation, reflect on the past, and connect with the broader queer community. Members of the LGBTQ+ community 18 years old and up are invited to attend. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Biweekly on Wednesdays
Every other week, we will gather at TWI for queer companionship, connection, and fun. Each session features a different type of “parallel play” to facilitate easy socializing and learn new creative skills. Past sessions have featured adult coloring, game night, art night, and a journaling night. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Register once and attend any of the sessions.
Bi-weekly on Thursdays, January 23–March 20
Join us every other Thursday evening to explore writing as a means of cultivating personal growth and healing. These drop-in hours are open to women with any level of writing experience. We may look at excerpts from works that show the transformative power of personal narrative and explore how the writing process can serve as a healing tool for adversity and painful experiences. Participants will receive support to work on their own healing narratives. Led by Erin James, MFA.
Click here to register.
Biweekly on Tuesdays
Explore and celebrate the diverse tapestry of queer history with Queer History Club, a biweekly program dedicated to delving into significant moments and figures from queer history around the world. Each session will feature a discussion of a different type of media, including podcasts, book chapters, and documentaries, to cater to different learning styles and deepen our collective understanding. Our discussions will span every continent and various time periods, providing a rich, global perspective on queer history. This group welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and levels of knowledge to join in the conversation, reflect on the past, and connect with the broader queer community. Members of the LGBTQ+ community 18 years old and up are invited to attend. Led by Hyacinth Bellerose.
Click here to register.
Every 4th Thursday, ongoing
This group is a safe space for transgender women and transfeminine adult individuals (18 years and older) in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and surrounding areas in Virginia to connect, share, learn from one another, and provide mutual encouragement along our unique, personal journeys. Respecting and maintaining the privacy of individuals and the confidentiality of what is shared in our circle is of utmost importance. Led by Kayla Capps, Ashley Glennon, and members of the TWI Q Staff Alliance.
For more information and to register (preferred names or initials are fine), email cvilletranswomen@gmail.com. Attend any of the sessions.
Participant Testimonial
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“The facilitators were fantastic; I would recommend this group to anyone.”
- Expressive Art Participant
All Upcoming Programs
Have questions?
Get in touch!
We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions about our programs.