Whether we realize it or not, most of us have experienced some level of trauma over the past few years as we learned to navigate the fallout of COVID-19. As a result, we are changed people (and artists)—but what have we learned? How do we begin to process the impact of the pandemic? And where do we go from here? By now, you’ve probably heard us mention smARTtalks, a series of intimate learning sessions covering relevant topics for artists and creatives working in the 21st century. On September 24, 2022, Crewest Studio—NOT REAL ART’s parent company—produced its first smARTalks event, held at Helms Bakery District in Culver City. In today’s podcast episode, we look back on an especially important discussion held during the inaugural event: “Who Are We Now? A Discussion About COVID, Trauma + Creativity. How Did The Pandemic Hurt or Help Us and Our Creativity?”Moderated by your intrepid host, Scott “Sourdough” Power, alongside trauma experts Dr. Kim Cookson and Eric Weiss, this discussion centers on wellness in arts. “Whether we’re walking around traumatized—some people are, some people are not—but everyone is working under a new level of stress,” says Dr. Cookson. “They’re having to negotiate a new reality.” Tune into today’s episode to catch some much-need discourse on the intersection of trauma and creativity, and how you can use art-making as a form of self-care. In Today’s Episode:Dr. Kim Cookson and Eric Weiss discuss…The inherent trauma that comes with navigating COVID-19How artists were affected by lockdowns and isolationHow trauma can influence and impact creativityArt as therapy: how artists can use their creativity for self-careBudget-friendly ways to regulate and manage traumaHelpful therapeutic methods such as somatic therapyHow to promote activities that bring you joyTips for finding your “escape hatch” and focusing on the positiveThe silver linings in and around post-traumatic growthFor more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/trauma-creativity