End of Winter Term at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art

This is going to be a quick one as I’m off to the bus station soon to go to the Czech Republic to spend time with good friends before heading to Bali next weekend. But I wanted to share this before I go.

These past few days were my last as a full-time student at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art . I’ll be back in May-June, but only as a part-time student as their Spring trimester will already be underway.  It doesn’t feel like I’m leaving, however – just going for a holiday (a long one that involves 3 other art workshops).

I finished my paintings earlier in the week, and so on Thursday, I spent most of my time helping prepare for the Equinox Party and photographing paintings (the names of the photos include the artist’s name).

Yesterday, after our closing circle, which included disassembling our altar, we gave the classroom a major overhaul for last night’s Equinox Party.  I wish I had had before & after shots. What a transformation! Unfortunately, my iPhone didn’t cooperate yesterday, so although the photos give you a good idea, they’re not great.  Sorry 🙁

In addition to the classroom, we took over the Phantasten Museum and the corridors next to it.  We put up easels in one of the room to display some of our work.  The room next to that was used as a spiritual cinema and chill-out corner.  Another room was used for live painting – most of the students spent time working there and there was a collaborative piece for the public to play on.  We also had a vegan caterer.  Last but not least, the classroom itself was transformed into the main gathering space.  We started with meditation, chanting and a water blessing ceremony in honour of today’s International Water Day.  Then the dancing began.

first item to sell at pay-what-you-can * to one of my teachers

I spent most of my time at my Pay-What-You-Want table where I had put out a lot of my sketches, drawings, classroom projects and photography.  I really enjoyed engaging in conversation with the many party-goers. Some didn’t know about the Academy – they had come because of our association with Avaloka – the popular organizers of sacred dance and healing arts events here in Vienna.  I enjoyed sharing stories of experiences, answering questions, and lightening my load of stuff to store. In the end, I made enough to cover all my meals in Bali for the month.  Perfect!  The party ended at 12:30am, 1.5 hours before it was scheduled to as noise complaints from the residents in neighbouring buildings shut us down.  Oh well…  The dance club on the main floor of the Palais Palffy must have soundproof walls…

It’s been a fantastic 6 months, but as I said, it’s not over.  It’s just the end of another chapter. I’ll keep on blogging about my adventures, so if you’re curious, sign-up on the top-right to receive email notices of my future posts.