By Lisa Kagan (Director, Family Heirloom Arts)
“The events in our lives happen in a sequence in time, but in their significance to ourselves, they find their own order… the continuous thread of revelation.”
– Eudora Welty, author and photographer
The Power of Stories
Through my work as a personal historian, writer, artist, and educator I have found that when people have an opportunity to tell their stories, it transforms their lives. As Director of Family Heirloom Arts, I am driven by my passion for storytelling and my commitment to preserving and honoring personal narratives. I have recognized that the storytelling process opens up opportunities for innovation and discovery that allow people to more fully access their own potential, and in turn make significant contributions in their lives and in society at large. They are better able to understand their past, gain confidence in their ability to address their present circumstances, and begin to envision their future. Through the act of sharing our stories we can deepen self-knowledge, strengthen family ties, and build bridges across generations.
Get Started Telling Your Own Story, From Fact to Memory to Meaning
At Family Heirloom Arts when we help our clients tell their stories, we aim to help them not only record the facts of their life along with their memories, but we focus on supporting them to distill meaning from their life through a guided process of self-reflection and discovery.
Here are a few questions to get you started telling your own story:
- Write down a story of one of the most pivotal experiences you have gone through in the course of your life, which you feel would be important to share with future generations.
- In what ways do you feel like this experience changed you?
- What do you think future generations can learn from this experience?
Join us for Life Storytelling Workshops & Retreats in 2020
Half-day weekend workshop-
RADIANCE: Returning to the Light, Exploring the Art of Resilience
Dates & Times: Saturday February 1st, 2020, 1-5pm
Location: Vibe Studio, 5633 SE Division Street, Portland
Program & Registration Information: https://familyheirloomarts.com/event/radiance-returning-to-the-light-an-exploration-of-the-art-of-resilience/
Weekend Retreat-
EMERGENCE: Coming Into Bloom, A Journey of Renewal & Regeneration
Dates & Times: Friday March 13th-Sunday March 15th, 2020
Location: Alton Collins Retreat Center, 32867 SE Hwy 211 Eagle Creek, Oregon 97022
Program & Registration Information: https://familyheirloomarts.com/event/emergence-coming-into-bloom-a-journey-of-renewal-and-regeneration/
About Lisa Kagan & Family Heirloom Arts:
Lisa Kagan is a writer, artist, educator and personal historian. Her business, Family Heirloom Arts, is dedicated to helping individuals and families celebrate their life stories and significant life milestones through the creation of illustrated heirloom books and custom art. Lisa offers art and writing workshops and retreats throughout the Pacific Northwest. Lisa is the co-founder of the Touchstone Retreats program and a facilitator through Portland Women Writers.
Contact:
Lisa Kagan (Director, Family Heirloom Arts)
503.347.1391
Personal Historians NW 