Tangling in the Bahamas

In November of 2018, The Island School invited Maria, Molly, Martha, and me to give Zentangle workshops on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.

The Island School is an inspiring combination of outward bound, coming of age, rigorous scholastics, physical exertion, and personal development. Co-founded by Chris and Pam Maxey, and designed for high school sophomores and juniors, "the Island School experience culminates in the beginning of a lifelong educational journey, with more self-confident students leaving as engaged global citizens, empowered to be active leaders of their generation . . . " preparing students for real world problems and challenges by teaching them how to "respond by tapping into their deepest reservoirs of resourcefulness, strength, and goodwill."

In other words, a perfect location for some Zentangle workshops.

We gave two workshops at The Island School so that all students and many faculty could participate.

It was exciting to meet several students who had practiced the Zentangle Method before. One girl thought it was going to be "just" a Zentangle class. Then she discovered who was giving the class and she couldn't wait to tell us about how much she likes creating Zentangle art.

The mosaics, as always, came out great. People enjoy the shift in perspective of seeing their tile arranged with all the other students tiles. I think one of the reasons is that it changes the often critical inner dialogue of "Did I do it right?" once the students see that everyone did their tiles differently.

After those classes, we headed to the Deep Creek Middle School, which is associated with The Island School.

Once again, we gave two Zentangle classes to the students and teachers.

And, once again, the individual tiles were beautiful and the mosaics, entrancing.

After class, we lingered to talk and answer questions as students admired Molly's Zentangle journal.

This was a wonderful opportunity for us to go to a relatively remote island, far from habitual routines and rhythms, yet still find a familiar feeling and stillness as people put pen to paper in a Zentangle way.

We are in gratitude to the communities of The Island School and Deep Creek Middle School for this memorable opportunity to share the Zentangle Method.