Photo credit: Gabrielle Touchette Photography

JOIN US at 8:15am on May 26, 2023 at Launch Co-Working (167 Lombard) to explore the CreativeMornings theme of ACCEPTANCE!

Note *ASL Interpretation is available at all of our CM WPG events.

Fredrick Spence (Thunderbear): Art as Acceptance: Carving and Creativity

In his talk, Fredrick will go into detail about his life, his internal struggles and how he came to terms with accepting himself as an artist. Since 2015, Fredrick has worked through his trauma and found himself through art. He found acceptance through art and the eventual acceptance of himself as an artist turned into sharing the joy and love of creating in the hopes of helping others. 

Meet our speaker: Fredrick Spence (Thunderbear)

Fredrick Spence (Thunderbear) is an Ojibwe soapstone carver from Peguis First Nation (Treaty One Territory). After a tragic and traumatic experience, he struggled with mental health and addictions. Passionate about nature and traditional teachings, he stumbled on soapstone carving and found it to be the medicine he was missing. His talent and experience inspired him to share his art form with others. Fredrick offers workshops to groups throughout the country in hopes that it can change one person’s life.

Exploring our CreativeMornings May 2023 theme: ACCEPTANCE

Acceptance is the act of surrendering to our reality, without judgment or fear. There are many things in our lives that cause us discomfort or pain. We attempt to change or resist them, to no effect. So we wave a big stick, keeping them at bay like a wounded animal. 

Acceptance is weaving into your story what once caused you pain — and still might, to this day. You welcome that creature into your home, tend to its wounds, and feed it out of your hand. Acceptance is knowing that this feral animal lives side by side with your tender house cat of a heart, always.

Embracing what cannot change can help you gather the energy to change what must. Accept these truths: you cannot make another person love or see you. You did not finish everything before the sun set on another day — and you didn’t need to. Every moment will pass, the blissful and the excruciating. It’s the hardest lesson, but one we need the most: the grace to let go. 

Our Lexington chapter chose this month’s exploration of Acceptance and Robert Beatty illustrated the theme.