Little Fernwood School of the Arts

The next Storytime For Grown Ups will feature the theme of sustainability–but not in the way you’d expect!

Since our semester doesn’t begin until mid-October, this is a time dedicated to reflection, reading and preparation at the Little Fernwood School of the Arts! Just finished “The Blessing of a Skinned Knee”–an interesting approach to parenting which encourages parents to build resilience in their children by following Jewish traditions. I enjoyed partaking in a different perspective, and I do like the idea of encouraging each other to be resilient. Of course, no book, workshop, or approach holds “the truth”, but only a different facet of it.

Yesterday I received an email from Bill Hansen of the Gettin’ Higher Choir. He suggested that the Little Fernwood School of the Arts adapt their pricing model, since they have already trod this path, considered these questions and created a very successful, community minded for-profit business. They approached the question of payment and money from the primary perspective “nobody misses choir because of money” and build from there–with stated fees with discounts and scholarships available in classes of need. They offer a sliding scale and simply ask that participants decide for themselves where they fit, based on their knowledge of their finances.

I am grateful to Bill for his willingness to share the successful ideas and implementations of the Gettin’ Higher Choir! This approach seems very possible and so I will work on adapting it to the Little Fernwood School of the Arts. In the meantime, just remember, “nobody misses our workshops because of money”!
Love, Tamara Li

This semester, we are offering three courses, commencing October 17: Please check out “Drama II: Character and Motivation” which will be held on Mondays from 4-5:30 pm for Ages 8-12; “Writing Workshop” which will be held on Wednesdays from 4-5:30 pm for Ages 13-7; and “From the Root to the Lotus”  (relationship series) — Four 3 hour mini retreats which will yield insights about yourself and others which will lead to more peaceful and harmonious relationships for Adults.

My idea of providing courses by donation is leading to a bit of a dilemma, or perhaps it is a crisis of trust, I’m afraid.

The idea was to embrace total vulnerability while simutaneously ensuring that all my offerings would be accessible to whoever, regardless of their financial situation–while honoring my own values which place money (as a mere medium for communicating value) down on my list of priorites.
Now, I’m not sure if it is that I’ve just allowed my priorities to shift since I’ve written that original list–or if I’m merely beginning to acknowledge that it is difficult to communicate value in a meaningful way other than money in this very monetarized society. But, I’m questioning my “by donation” approach before it’s even begun!
First of all, I’ve noticed that most offerings by donation are supported or financed by non profit, charity, or governmental programs. And it is important that I distinguish The Little Fernwood School of the Arts from this sector. We may be an unconventional business for profit, but ultimately that’s the category we would fall into.
It’s occurred to me that by offering a “donation envelope” at the end of the course, I am also putting undue pressure on the participants to determine the worth or value they received. This is good on the one hand, because I do believe that we all really do need to deeply ponder on questions of value, and this is what we do in the workshops. However, because we do live in this monetarized society, I suspect that many people would feel a bit put on the spot. For these reasons, I’ve decided to actually charge for the courses that I am offering this semester–rather than offering them by donation. I will invite your comments and thoughts on this delicate question!

In this upcoming story time, we will be exploring the theme of “enough” through stories and discussion. Registration required– Tuesday, August 16 pm.

This course “Moralistic Judgements: A Gift and A Curse” will go for four weeks: AUG 18, SEPT 1, SEPT 22, OCT 13 6-9 PM. This will be a mini retreat workshop with opportunity for discussion, interactivity and guided personal work. The course is by donation.

Please see “Communicating Clearly with the Self and Others: Entrepreneurship” for more details about the series that this course is part of and look at “Trust” for information on our approach to payment.

Registration is on now! Please phone 778-430-5569 and leave voicemail. put a note in our mailbox at 2201 Chambers Street or email me at jerson.hernandez@gmail.com

Why do we use money? We use it as a way to mediate our relationships, to establish value.

After doing the values clarification exercises in my own workshops, I determined that the conventional approach to charging for workshops and other intangible experiences wasn’t going to work for me. So, I have been searching for an alternate method by which participants can express the value that they have received and co-created here during our times together.

After an intense consultation with my partner and eternal consort, Jerson, we have decided that we will fully embrace our value of trust and connections and express these values by offering our gifts by donation. Inidividualized envelopes will be distributed at the end of the series.

In this workshop, you will engage your senses! Using directed writing, and art exercises you will explore the theme of “letting go”. This will be an ongoing interactive art workshop, by donation.

We are working on the autumn schedule right now! Soon, we will be able to commence registration…