1. Opening & Orientation: Why Art, Why Peace (20-25 min)

Facilitator explains the purpose of the workshop in simple, grounding language:

“We are not here to create ‘beautiful art’ or to talk about painful experiences in detail.
We are here to explore peace, strength, and dignity through images, movement, and symbols — because art helps us express things that are hard to say in words.”

Key principles are named clearly:

• participation is voluntary

• sharing is optional

• depth is a choice

• silence is allowed

• the value is in meaning, not in skill or aesthetics

Short check-in round (name + one word for how I am now).Suggestion: use emotional cards or the Feeling Wheeling. 

2. Creative Warm-Up: Clay as Grounding (15 min)

Each participant receives a piece of clay. Instruction (spoken slowly):

“Roll it, press it, stretch it. Notice its temperature and texture.
You don’t need to make anything specific. This clay represents your strength — something you can shape, but that doesn’t disappear.”

Rules:

• no explanation required

• silence is welcome

• facilitator observes emotional state of the group

Purpose: bodily regulation, safety, arrival.

3. Sand Tray: Safe Spaces & Peace Images (25 min)

Participants create a symbolic safe space using sand and figures.

Suggested prompts (choose one):

• “Create a place where you feel safe.”

• “Create a peaceful place you wish existed.”

• “Create a future community where people live with dignity.”

Rules:

• no interpreting others’ work

• no pressure to explain

• emotional responses are allowed without commentary

Short witnessing moment: participants walk around quietly and notice.

4. Movement Without Words: Stories of Strength (20 min)

Using scarves or ribbons, participants express movement without narration.

Carefully framed prompts (resource-oriented):

• “Show with movement how you protect yourself.”

• “Show how you regain balance.”

• “Show a transition from tension to calm.”

Avoid prompts that recreate war events or journeys literally.

Rules:

• movements can be small or seated

• no performance, no audience judgement

5. Collaborative Art Stations: Peace in Many Forms (40 min)

Participants rotate through 2–3 stations (not all are mandatory).

Station A – Watercolor Emotions “Use colors to show what peace feels like in your body.”

Station B – Photo Storytelling “Create 3–5 images that tell a story of hope or rebuilding.” (No images of destruction or violence.)

Station C – Collective Poetry Wall. Complete phrases:

• “Peace feels like…”

• “Peace needs…”

• “Peace begins when…”

Languages can be mixed.

6. Sound Circle: Gentle Collective Soundscape (15 min)

Facilitator gives a clear boundary:

“Sounds should support calm and connection.
No loud, sharp, or heavy sounds.
Silence is also a contribution.”

Safe prompts:

• “Add a sound that feels calming.”

• “Add a sound that feels like care or hope.”

Purpose: regulation, attunement, collective rhythm.

7. Living Sculptures: Values into Action (15 min)

Small groups create human sculptures representing realistic actions:

• mutual support

• cultural exchange

• small community initiatives

Focus: What can we do together, not what we fix.

8. Reflection & Integration Circle (30 min)

This block was added intentionally.

Guiding questions (avoid “why”):

• “What did you notice about yourself?”

• “What gave you a sense of calm or strength?”

• “What from today can support you this week?”

Participants may answer verbally, with gesture, or by placing an object in the center.

9. Closing Ritual: Commitment & De-roling (10 min)

Participants place one created object in the center.

Prompt:

“Show one small commitment to peace — with a word, movement, or symbol.”

Finish with grounding:

• feet on the floor

• slow breathing

• orientation to the room