Category Archives: Community Service & Volunteer Work

Community service and participation is not only key to a thriving community, but it is also a great gift to the volunteer! This part of Nicole’s News blog shares the community service and volunteer work of the Impressionist Artist, Author and Poet M. Nicole van Dam.

We Created More Grocery Totes!

We had both new friends and old friends at our May Creativity Central – and we had a magical, peaceful time – along with a few laughs and even some impromptu dancing!  Here are some of the photos of the … Continue reading

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A very GREEN Creativity Central!

Thanks to the wonderful fabric paints generously donated by iLOVEtoCREATE, we were able to create our own one-of-a-kind, earth-friendly reuseable grocery totebags!  No more plastic bags for us!  I was absolutely wowed by the beautiful creations of CreativityCentral last night … Continue reading

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Life is like Knitting – and cozy fun at last night’s Creativity Central!

Last night’s Creativity Central creativity therapy workshop centered on knitting – knitting using a new way. Creating this knitting adventure for my creativity therapy group reminded me of a poem I had written about knitting, and life, some years ago, … Continue reading

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS & Cozy, Fun Doings!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYBODY!  In the holiday spirit. our creativity therapy group  created the “most beautiful ever” gingerbread house at last night’s Creativity Central – and that was by unanimous vote of all of us! Powered by Kathleen’s homemade pumpkin bread … Continue reading

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Inspiring Escapes

Here are some lovely photos from our October Creativity Central, where we worked more on our dioramas and shared some of our past projects. Each diorama represents a secret haven for each participant, that we can visit just by opening … Continue reading

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September’s Creativity Central a “Blast-Off”

Last night we had creative fun brainstorming for our diaramas and making 3D sculptures – between us we made an airplane, matillija poppy, two trees, ballet slippers, coffee mug, and much more. Here are some pictures: Please join us for … Continue reading

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August Creativity Central “Constructive”

                      We started working on wire sculptures, covered in clay, and had a great, very “in the moment” time: Here are some more pictures from this very “constructive” Creativity Central, … Continue reading

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July 23 Creativity Central in Full Harmony!

Many many thanks to the great Dr. Kafka for sharing his joy, creativity and music with us – not only did we make lovely things during this Creativity Central inspired by Dr. Kafka’s music, but we got to write a … Continue reading

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Next Creativity Central a MUSICAL Treat!

NEWS FLASH: Our next Creativity Central will be held on SATURDAY JULY 23 starting at 1 pm because…. THE AMAZING MUSICAL DR. KENNETH KAFKA will be joining us again!   When Dr. Kafka joins us, not only do we get … Continue reading

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Monday’s Creativity Central a Gem!

At Monday’s Creativity Central we had a great time coloring the jewelry beads for our necklaces and earrings, and we also worked on putting some finishing touches on pieces for the jungle themed painting. Here are a few of the … Continue reading

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Pictures from May 31 Creativity Central!

Our next Creativity Central is scheduled for this Monday, June 20 at 6-8pm! Here are some photos from the last Creativity Central – and I have to say, nothing could be more fun and lively than the two fabulously creative, … Continue reading

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Friday’s Creativity Central Colorful AND Musical!

Last Friday was a COLORFUL and MUSICAL Creativity Central.  Our project was to color in the clay creatures the Creativity Central group made at the prior meeting, and thanks to a fabulous donation of Copic Markers by the Copic Marker … Continue reading

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Last Night’s CreativityCentral Session WILDLY Fun!

Last night’s CreativityCentral session was a hoot! (Owl by Gillian!) We worked on the next phase of our “Jammin Jungle” project.  As a reminder, the background was painted in February.  This month we created the forms for the 3D animals … Continue reading

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Last Night’s Creativity Central was a BEAUTIFUL Success!

We had so much fun last night creating phase 1 of our latest project, “The Jammin Jungle,” based on a jungle scene that Nicole outlined for the group to paint.  This painting will serve as the background for 3D animals … Continue reading

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Great Photos from our January 17 Musical Art Time!

Dr. Kafka treated us all to a most amazing, inspiring treat of music – it seems he knows hundreds of songs by heart, and plays and sings each one with a totally engaging magical joyous spirit. The Super-Talented Dr. Kafka, above. … Continue reading

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Schedule of Upcoming Creativity Central Classes

At each session, we will share our creativity in all its forms —art, handcrafts, written, music—and learn together to embrace our creative inner selves. As time goes on, Nicole will curate ongoing exhibits of our creations in our new building, … Continue reading

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Please Join Us Monday January 17

Please join us Monday, January 17, 2011 from 6:00—8:00pm for this colorful exploration of the creative spirit that lies within each of us. At this session, we will also be joined by Multi-talented Musician (and Doctor!) Dr. Kenneth Kafka. At … Continue reading

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Turning Trash into Treasure for Charity Auction

Often charities give me things to paint so that they can be auctioned off to support the charity. I’ve done all sorts of things – a violin, a mask, and now… an old beat up saddle! In order to work … Continue reading

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Great Pictures from Creativity Central Event for the Cancer Resource Center!

Our Cancer Resource Center group fearlessly, creatively starting on the painting!  From the start, everyone was a great team! Everyone worked on their corner, to start… -But it wasn’t long before everyone was moving around, and the colors were beautifully balanced … Continue reading

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Setting up the Cancer Resource Center Space for October 25th Event!

We wanted a room full of inspiration, to set the tone of combining art with words with all our creativity.  Here is the room in progress, waiting for our fun October 25 creativity event: -And a closeup of what is … Continue reading

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