When: November 5, 2023, 10am - 1pm PST

Where: Online; ZOOM

With: Ande (they/them) & Eje (she/they) Diedjomahor

Cost: Free

Description: A (v)Erhi Accessible Adventure is a 3 hour experimental experience rooted in bodily autonomy, movement and somatic healing, exploratory play, and cross-disability solidarity. During this session, we will explore what it could look and feel like to be continuously co-creating spaces with/for Deaf, Disabled, and Chronically ill Artists and Healers. Ande and Eje of Erhi Adventures will guide us through grounding into the space, somatic practices to encourage safety in your body and with the collective, a series of movement and expression exercises, and space for communal reflection and sharing.

What to expect: A (v)Erhi Accessible Adventure is hosted by two Chronically ill and Multiply-disabled artists. Expect an interactive experience with lots of slowness, breaks, and invitations to breathe and let your body be your guide. We aren't there to talk AT you, because we are no experts - we'd like you to bring your sacred multi-marginalized self as you are, with your wealth of knowledge and lived experiences into this space. There will be numerous guided somatic healing practices including breathwork, movement meditation, mirroring activities, free writing, and group reflection and way-making. Expect informal, imperfect, and vulnerable facilitation, lots of messy emotions we can move through together, and the potential for a truly transformative container.

Accessibility note: This is a virtual program that will use audio/visual at various times. There will be an ASL interpreter, as well as CART/closed captioning throughout the session. All instruction will be given both verbally and in written form. We understand that 3 hours is a long session, but to ensure we establish a safe container for this experience, we ask that folks show up no later than 30 min after (and stay till the end if able). There will be ample breaks built in, but also numerous reminders to honor your body and break (or snack, doodle, stim, etc.) as you need. Some of the planned exercises require participants to be on video, but participation is entirely optional, always. We will offer visual descriptions of ourselves and encourage participants speaking on camera to do so as well.

Bios: Ande (they/them) is a Disabled & Chronically ill, Black, Queer, NeuroExpansive, Trans anti- binary, spirit babe, born in Nigeria and raised in the US South. They are an Artist, Healing Arts Practitioner, Care Werker, Health Educator, Disability and Mental Health Advocate, and Holistic Wellness Curator & Creatrix who dabbles in everything from plant medicine and vegan cooking to jewelry making, event curation, visual arts and graphic design. Their background is in education and STEM/Mental Health (reTIRED RN), and they now facilitate intuitive movement, meditation sessions, and creative workshops. They have a deep passion and gift for bringing folks together and uplifting & supporting the well- being, healing, joy, and prosperity of creatives, especially Black folks who are multi-marginalized 🥰

Eje (She/They) is a Disabled, Black, Queer, Trans nonbinary, multidisciplinary artist. She is a chameleon shapeshifting through creative and healing practices. She is an Artist, Healer, Photographer, Stylist, Designer, Dancer, Event Curator, Creative Director, Project Manager (MBA), Herbalist, Spiritualist, and the list goes on. In addition, Eje offers sound healing using her voice and sound bowls in a practice she calls EjeSMR. They create art inspired by and centered around their personal and communal experience. Eje strives to create the beauty they need to see in this world, with creations centered around community, healing, self-care, self-pride, and harm reduction & awareness.

Together, we are EA! ..like Eje & Ande... like Ethereal Art...like Erhi Adventures. EA is our reimagined vessel for all the magic that we so courageously, vulnerably and graciously offer this world and beyond.

Image credit: "Disconnect & Recenter" original watercolor painting by Eje @EjeTheArtist for UNC Zero Stigma Harm Reduction Art project

**This programming is part of an arts space access initiative organized by Pieter Performance Space with Alice Sheppard and funding from the California Arts Council.**