Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop led by award-winning interdisciplinary artist Halima Afi Cassells and Jonesse Davis, the creative force behind Heartwork Wellness. Halima will guide participants through creating an exciting and inclusive swapping event, drawing from her extensive background in community engagement. Learn how to harness the power of community and creativity to promote sustainable practices. Then, under Jonesse's expert guidance, discover the art of upcycling, turning everyday waste into beautiful creations. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or new to upcycling, this workshop offers valuable insights and techniques to make a positive impact through art. Don't miss this chance to collaborate with Halima and Jonesse and turn your ideas into reality!
Halima Afi Cassells (b. 1981) is an award-winning interdisciplinary artist rooted in Waawiiyaataanong/Detroit, MI. Raised in a creative environment, her childhood, documented through unsolicited murals and fashions by her parents, fueled her exploration. Embracing community as the essence of her practice, she transitioned from painting to utilizing natural, found, and up-cycled materials, inspired by her passion for gardening.
Through projects like the Free Market of Detroit, Cassells delves into relationship-building, freedom, and work within participatory contexts, inviting public engagement through interactive installations and upcycled fashion creations.
Recipient of the 2023 Kresge Arts in Detroit fellowship, Cassells explores interconnectedness, studying anthropology, economics, global corporatism, and psychology to foster a 'right relationship.' As an advocate for artists, she spearheads community processes to uplift cultural capital and collaborates across various international spaces.
Jonesse Davis is the creative force and compassionate spirit driving the essence of Heartwork Wellness. From the earliest stages of existence, creativity wove itself into the fabric of Jonesse’s being, offering a refuge for exploration, expression, and human connection.
From hands-on craftsmanship to construction and artistic creation, Jonesse's transformation from a theatrical special effects artist to a skilled dental technician provided invaluable skills and insights, but a thirst for authentic fulfillment remained. This thirst was quenched after discovering the power of art therapy, igniting a visionary quest to develop a space to share the profound connection between creativity, self-discovery, and holistic well-being.
Jonesse earned a master's degree in Art Therapy specializing in counseling. Beyond academic excellence, she is an art facilitator, and spends time visiting afterschool programs, shelters, and safe houses throughout the Greater Pittsburgh Region.
Heartwork Wellness is a testament to Jonesse's journey – one that threads together diverse talents, a profound appreciation for human connection, and a commitment to holistic betterment.