Past Workshops, Trainings

& Other Fun

The Cupid Project


Samantha Williams-Gray, volunteer organizer, led the facilitation of The Cupid Project. Cards were handmade by volunteers over the course of a month and then distributed by Samantha and her friend Olive to 4 different care homes in Eureka, and to participants of the Meals on Wheels program run through the Senior Resource Center. Approximately 325 cards spread the love, one card at a time on Valentine’s Day 2026.

Event poster titled 'Dancing With The Dark' at The Arcata Playhouse on Sunday, December 21st, from 12 to 3 PM. Features silhouettes of dancers against a dark sky with stars and a large moon. Promotes using seasonal shifts to explore shadow self, led by Samantha Williams-Gray, with art supplies provided. Suggested donation $20, proceeds go to the Arcata Playhouse.

Dancing with the Dark at The Arcata Playhouse


As the Solstice invites us into stillness and shadow, Dancing with the Dark offers a space to explore creativity through movement, expression, and reflection. This powerful work combines personal learning with community creativity and sharing, allowing for balance to be found in the longest night of the year. Wear cozy clothes that allow for movement. If you like, bring a blanket or pillow to sit on or cozy up with. Art supplies will be provided.

Red abstract geometric design with a circular pattern and radiating lines on a beige background.

Two Feathers Native American Family Services Training

-Expressive Arts & Body Wisdom

A therapeutic approach to using the natural human desire to create, or the creative process as a way to foster mental wellness and emotional growth.

Event poster for American Indian Educational Film Series at Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theater, honoring Native American Heritage Month. Dates include November 16th, 23rd, and 29th, with screenings and discussions. Features indigenous artists selling creations and concessions available.

American Indian Educational Film Series at Dell’Arte International

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Dell’Arte International hosted a series of films and documentaries. Each matinee was followed by a facilitated discussion by Samantha Williams-Gray.

All films are made by Indigenous artists and discussions explored the concepts and issues represented in the films.

Films shown and discussed were; Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World;,Reel Injun, and Smoke Signals.

A hand-drawn picture of a house with a curving walkway leading to the door, with trees and hills in the background. Text at the top reads 'Lost Figure'. Additional notes and phrases, including 'Love changes I believe' and 'Myster D - Ch', are written around the sketch.

Artwork created by workshop participant, R.

Empowering the Imagination at Pelican Bay State Prison

Samantha Williams-Gray designed a weekend workshop for men experiencing incarceration at Pelican Bay. A California supermax prison that houses about 2,300 inmates with a history of violent offenses. She created a score using the five-part process where participants were asked to identify and confront the blocks that stand in the way of their imaginations. Her intent was to explore and release these blocks to their creativity and guide the participants in supporting their positive mindsets and to foster artful living within the prison.

Event poster titled "Exploring Expressive Arts in Honor of the Menopause Journey." It features a background with a pink and orange floral design. The poster includes a graphic of six women with different hair colors and styles, holding hands in a circle. Around them is a border of black moon phases. The event details say it is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 1 to 4 pm at Arcata Playhouse, with the theme "Zero to Fierce."

Exploring Expressive Arts in Honor of the Menopause Journey

- Zero to Fierce Women’s Festival at The Arcata Playhouse

Samantha Williams-Gray facilitated a free workshop exploring the seldom discussed journey of menopause. This workshop examined themes of; life transitions, women in community together, and creating personal ceremonies as self care. It used movement, expressive drawing and journaling as tools to support perimenopausal women and their personally unique experiences of transition. Post menopausal women were honored for the wisdom of their own transition experiences, as they helped other women navigate the journey.