When Editor Luke proposed a series on creativity inspired by Cathy Pickens’ book CREATE, I was skeptical. I believed creativity was innate—something inherited or simply gifted. I was wrong.
Reading Cathy’s book changed everything. It’s a masterclass in understanding the creative impulse, offering fluid prompts and guaranteed results. It now lives permanently on my active reading shelf.
Meeting Cathy in person at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park deepened my admiration. We laughed, prayed, and spoke of the Originator of all things. Cathy, the most prolific and gracious writer I know, radiates humility and kindness. Her love for The Plateau and its people is unmistakable.
Then came the CREATE workshop, hosted by Susan Whiteside Williams at her stunning Whiteside Art Gallery – a space designed to celebrate creativity. Guests arrived as individuals, some friends, some strangers. By the end, we were bonded by shared experience and artistic exploration.
Cathy is a born teacher and a literal professor. She guided us through the psychology of creativity and led us in a writing exercise that remains the best I’ve ever encountered. After reading a model piece, she released us to write. Heads bowed, pens moved. We wrote poetry – yes, poetry – even those who weren’t poets.
The power of the written word flowed from head to heart, through soul and Spirit, and onto paper. Cathy had to intervene because none of us wanted to stop. Sharing followed: a single word, a sentence like ribbon in a braid, thoughts that evoked and provoked. We were poets – and didn’t know it.
Then we sculpted. Cathy provided materials and simple instructions, and off we went. The beauty created in moments was astonishing.
It was all that good. Actually, it was great. The poetry. The art. The instruction. The camaraderie. Cathy inspired us beyond expectation.
She also shared glimpses of her work outside traditional spaces—teaching creativity in prisons, rehab centers, and corporate towers. Everywhere, she treats people with respect, believes in their abilities, and emphasizes the process over the product.
I asked Cathy to host the workshop again. And again. And again.
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