Innovators, Educators, Businesses Join In Creative Exploration, Sarasota

Megan Hendricks | Tuesday, February 5, 2013

What do Legos, Disney, musicians and improvisation have in common? They’re all part of the learning experience at the 10th Annual Florida Creativity Weekend, March 1st to 3rd in Sarasota.

The Florida Creativity event begins on Friday, with intense immersion workshops to allow for intimate exploration of a selected topic. For example, Christine Alexander of the Florida Studio Theatre Improv and Lazy Fairy Improv Troupes, will help participants find their inner voice and discover new possibilities through the use of Improvisation and theater games. Jane Goldwasser of New Directions Consulting will help participants translate their dreams into an action plan, solve a great problem or get through the initial hurdle of starting a business on their own.

Friday evening, Sarasota-area musician Scott Blum will engage people in a musical experience by creating a band using conference participants.

Saturday and Sunday’s programming will feature speakers such as David Lunken from Cedarcroft Advisors, who will guide teams through the use of LEGO bricks to improve individual and organizational performance. Gert Garman, Global Creative Development Manager for Disney Destinations, will explore how to tell your own story through the use of creativity and senses.

The goal: Participants might walk away with a new skill, a renewed sense of self, practical ways to make their business or team more productive or innovate, or even see themselves as creative for the first time.

“We are all potentially creative as human beings, and yet too many people do not realize that positive potential,” says Katherine Heusner, PhD, chair of Florida Creativity Weekend. “Having opportunities to unlock our own creative energies, finding ways to empower others. What a difference this can make in our lives, our region and our world.”

More than 200 participants are expected, including entrepreneurs, teachers, students, nonprofit professionals and artists.

The conference will be held at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and Florida Studio Theatre.

Writer: Megan Hendricks
Source: Katherine Heusner, Florida Creativity Weekend

Read more articles by Megan Hendricks.

A Florida native and longtime Tampa Bay resident, Megan Hendricks graduated from the University of South Florida with a master's degree in business administration. She worked at the USF College of Business and has extensive community experience including the Tampa Bay Partnership's Talent Dividend Advisory Board, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Emerge Tampa Bay, Ekhos, and Bar Camp Tampa. She is a former board member and newsletter editor for Creative Tampa Bay. Megan enjoys telling the stories that make Tampa Bay a unique, diverse cultural experience.