Climate Circle: Art, Spirit, Action

A Weekend of Climate Courage, Creativity, and Collective Care

This past weekend, June 27–29, 2025, The Art SHAC was alive with possibility as we hosted Climate Circle: Art, Spirit, Action—a three-day series of events designed to ground our individual and collective response to the climate crisis in community. We came together and deepened our understanding of climate science, processed climate emotions, and worked to develop the imagination and capacity needed to meet our historical moment.

Made possible through an Artist Support Grant, this project emerged from the creative and educational practice of Petra Salazar, an artist and educator committed to nurturing spaces of care, creativity, and climate consciousness. In collaboration with Petra's organization, Philopoetics and with generous support from the N.C. Arts Council, the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County, and the Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, The Art SHAC welcomed over 45 participants throughout the weekend to explore the emotional, scientific, spiritual, and imaginative dimensions of climate engagement.

Climate Fresk with Sarah Rawleigh, MSW

We opened the weekend with a powerful, hands-on "Climate Fresk" workshop led by Sarah Rawleigh of Eno River Therapy Practice. Using collaborative visuals and systems thinking, participants deepened their understanding of climate science while building community and courage. Sarah’s grounding presence as a social worker and environmental activist created space for curiosity, connection, and action.

Climate SoulCollage® with Carrie Fields, MSW

On Saturday morning, we shifted inward. Carrie Fields of Inner Landscapes Healing guided a beautiful SoulCollage® session that invited participants to explore their emotional responses to climate change through intuitive art-making. With scissors, glue, and open hearts, participants created deeply personal collages that honored both grief and resilience. 

Climate Wayfinding with Francisco Gallegos, PhD

On Saturday evening, we turned to the philosophical and practical work of charting a way forward. Francisco Gallegos, Associate Professor of Philosophy at WFU, led a Climate Wayfinding session that helped participants clarify their values and motivations, learn about climate solutions and accelerators, envision their role in the movement for climate action, and create a personalized “Climate Compass” to integrate these ideas in visual form. It was an evening of deep listening, insight, and shared wisdom.

Climate Talent Show featuring T. Walker

We closed the weekend on Sunday with joy, rhythm, and soul at the Climate Talent Show: Music & Poetry for the Planet. Guest performer T. Walker from Heavy Energy University brought the energy with his dynamic, heart-centered performance. Local artists stepped up to the open mic, sharing pieces that celebrated the Earth, honored our grief, and lifted up visions for the future.

With Gratitude

Thank you to our facilitators—Petra Salazar, Sarah Rawleigh, Carrie Fields, Francisco Gallegos, and T. Walker—for leading with heart, brilliance, and care. Thank you to every participant who showed up with openness and courage. And thank you to our arts council partners for making this vision possible.

Let this be the first of many opportunities to sit with the crisis before us and imagine new paths forward together.

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