Speaking & Workshops
Designing a Message for Your Audience
As a dynamic speaker, preacher, and facilitator Donna will design a message/experience for your particular audience. She has experience teaching audiences who describe themselves as Progressive Christian, Evangelical Christian, Interfaith, Non-religious, Intergenerational, and Educational. She has taught in a variety of settings: public and private schools, hotels, convention centers, churches, retreat centers, camps, and parks.
Art is a distinctive part of what Donna brings to her speaking/teaching style. As Spirit Painter, Donna paints large silk paintings accompanied by inspirational music as a way of sharing the message. Her paintings are shared in exhibit, projection, or handouts to accompany her teaching. The Table of Tears installation accompanies her for Table of Tears workshops or preaching. Scarf Painting or Expressive Silk Painting workshops give participants, including the artistically-inexperienced, a successful hands-on painting experience.
Sample Speaking and Workshop Titles
I have attended two of Donna’s workshops over the years. At first my attitude was awkward resistance towards hands-on art as my attempts over many decades never came close to matching my hopes. Yet under her patient and insightful encouragement I found myself laughing in delight as I swirled and swooped luscious colors all over wet silk! Donna ignited astonishing freedom within me and I LOVED the finished pieces!!
Donna Ivery is a visionary. She can adapt to a variety of situations and use whatever resources are available to create a peaceful, healing, creative experience. I witnessed this when I had the privilege of working with Donna on a unique Expressive Silk Painting class for my small charter school in violence-prone Richmond. She wrote the grant for the project (which included much needed art supplies for our school), and created a week long experience where students were able to create beautiful individual and group works of art in a peaceful setting allowing them to express themselves, discover hidden talents, and, frankly, create much needed artwork for the campus. Through the entire process, Donna was authentic, professional, and caring.