Rest as Resistance: A Community Nap

Rest is one of the most basic and vital needs of humans and there must be actions to increase access for all people. Attendees will be invited to grab a cup of tea made by Rev. Mallory Everhart to support sleep, nap, and relax to the sounds of original affirmation poetry from the Poet Laureate of the Pikes Peak Region Ashley Cornelius and a healing sound bath from LSW Sam Paulin. Participants will be invide to rest/sleep. At the close of the event, attendees will be led through a creative art exercise to promote artistic expression and share in a community discussion about rest.

We will provide attendees with sleeping materials, essential oils, fidgets, and mindfulness hand-outs. Each person will receive a journal and pen for the creative art exercise. There will be a raffle to win a wellness basket and sleep aids like weighted stuffed animals . Participants will find a space to set up their sleeping area. The event will open with an introduction and short education from each artist on how herbalism, poetry, and sound healing impact sleep and address why rest is a social justice issue. As participants begin to rest we will read a custom affirmation poem accompanied by a sound bath. There will be about 25 minutes of rest. After participants wake up they will be invited to write or draw about their experience resting with guided prompts. We will open the space for sharing and co-creating a supportive environment.

Rest is a significant social justice issue as it replenishes us, helps us process trauma, and builds our resilience. Rest as Resistance aims to engage the community in long-term self-care, creative self-expression, and deep rest for generations to come.

Join us and care for yourself in community!

This event was generously funded by the Art in Society grant

Host or Publisher Ashley Cornelius