4th Workshop

A game with clay.

Title of the activity: Clay game

Date and place: 19.06.2-024 - open place, Riga, Latvia

Duration: 40-60 minutes

Aim of the activity: to explore freedom of expression and release physical and emotional tension through interaction with natural materials. To work with clay in an open environment to promote creativity, connection with nature, and personal liberation through playful experimentation.

Participants' info: 5 youth workers aged 18-40.

Description of the activity:

Firstly, the facilitator organised needed materials in open space in the park. Materials used: natural clay cutted in pieces, large sheets of paper (can be used fabrics too) attached to a wall, water containers for softening the clay, wipes or towels.

As an icebreaker connecting to nature was used. Participants tried to touch different aspects of nature around them, hug trees, feel grass, walk barefoot and with deep breath connect oneself with it. After which participants gathered in a circle and started to choose a piece of clay and started interacting with it: squeezing, rolling, modifying it, feeling clay through touching. During working with clay, the facilitator was naming different feelings positive like: happiness, love, joy, success and negative like: disgust, fear, anger and according to feelings and emotions participants were trying to relieve their emotions and transfer it to clay, freeing oneself.

Suddenly, while working on anger, the facilitator threw clay to the attached paper on the wall while shouting out. After what she told participants: " now I am free from anger, it's your time to free yourself." Each participant was given the opportunity to first speak out their feelings and emotions and while speaking, being on the most emotional moments, the breakout moment they threw clay to the wall. They took fallen pieces of clay and repeated the same.

After that reflection took place and participants shared their emotions, experience while talking and throwing clay, how they were choosing the moment , the world on which they were throwing it. At the end of the workshop, participants left their hand prints on paper and in that they concluded victory over stress.