corporate-mandala-workshop-zierikzee

For the personnel association of the Municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland I hosted a custom mandala workshop for 14 colleagues in Zierikzee. In this behind-the-scenes blog you can read how a phone call turned into months of preparation with 400 hand-drawn circles, a printer with a mind of its own and finally a very successful workshop evening. Looking for a creative team building workshop in Zeeland? This is how a custom workshop comes to life.

From phone call to green light on June 3rd

It started with a phone call from Monique. Would I like to host a workshop for their personnel association? I loved the idea, but I also had to think about it seriously before I said yes. Hosting a big group is quite different from three people at my studio table.

And I was not the only option they were considering, so it was a bit nerve-wracking to wait.

On June 3rd, I got the decision. I was going to do it!

On July 8th I was invited to the town hall in Zierikzee to meet Monique and Hellen, the wonderful hostesses. Lovely chat, nice tour, and I was mainly thinking: how do I find the exit if I get lost in here?

The municipality pays afterwards. Always.

If you know me, you know I like to have everything arranged down to the last detail to avoid problems. Normally that is no issue at all, but this time I was dealing with a government agency.

They do not do advance payments. I, on the other hand, needed to empty three art stores upfront. So compromises had to be made and in the end I agreed to get paid afterwards. I trusted them completely - it is the municipality after all - but it did take a lot of back-and-forth emails. Right in the middle of the summer holidays. You know how it goes, bureaucratic wheels turn slowly.

400 circles and a trip to Arnhem and Rotterdam

I wanted it to look really professional, my reputation is on the line. So I designed custom flyers in my own style for online and for the doors of the town hall.

After a trial run with my neighbour, I had a brilliant insight: if everyone has to draw all the guidelines themselves, we will still be here at Christmas. So I sat down and prepared 50 sheets by hand. 50 x 8 base circles and 50 x 8 guidelines. That is 400 circles and 400 lines by hand. My fingers are still talking about it.

On top of that I invested in a complete take-home package: pens with my website URL, a fineliner, a 35-page workbook with step-by-step plan, coloring pages and practice sheets, plus a certificate and a business card. Monique later printed and bound all the workbooks beautifully, including personalized name tags she designed in my style.

Sourcing the materials became a mini adventure too. My local trip to Arnhem did not have what I needed, so I made a special trip to Rotterdam.

And then the tech twist. First there would be a beamer, then there was not. Monique suggested connecting my phone to the big TV. Just to be safe, She suggested to  build a full PowerPoint with lots of process videos I had to film and edit. Hours of work, but a great long-term investment.

The day the printer won - September 1st

September 1st. Back to Zierikzee to test and print. First the big test: connecting my laptop with an HDMI cable to their huge TV. And wonder of wonders, it worked on the first try. I had mentally prepared for at least an hour of swearing.

Then the printing. Ten pages could not be printed double-sided because the colors would bleed through normal paper. Monique said very pragmatically: then we do it single-sided, it gives the booklet more body. We went through almost two reams of paper and the printer decided it was done. Constant paper jams. First we needed an IT guy, after that Monique and I became so experienced we could reset it ourselves. After 1.5 hours we had 30 booklets.

Then down to the dungeons, to the mailroom to bind them. What a maze that town hall is. Once there: no plastic A4 covers left. Just ran out. It was already well past four. We agreed I would leave the stack there and she would bind them once the covers arrived. Two days later I got a photo: perfectly bound with a pink back.

The interest was huge. On the door there was already a poster with an extra sticker: due to overwhelming interest, a second evening. In total 29 registrations. 14 for October 6th and 15 for the second date.

For that second evening I had to do it all again: a new PowerPoint and of course a completely new mandala design. Because doing the same thing twice would be boring🤪

Kruidnootjes, sore throat and mini nails

The Thursday before the workshop Monique and I had our final call. Dotting the i's. Monique came up with the idea for those personalized name tags.

Friday night I woke up with a throat like sandpaper. Every teacher's nightmare. The whole weekend I was stressed, scared I would get the flu right before the big day. Lots of tea, early to bed and luckily it did not get worse.

Monday one last app. Tuesday packing the car. Healthy dose of nerves and nails with a tiny mandala on them. Then you are really ready..😂

The big day: October 6th

3.30 PM arrival. Monique comes with a trolley so I do not have to walk up and down three times. By now we know each other well enough for a big hug.

Together we set up the tables. Water on the tables, juice, coffee, tea. Monique went all out: kruidnootjes,  chocolates, cookies, napkins and even little plants. As you can see in the photos, it looked incredibly cozy.

At 4:45 PM the first participants trickle in. At 5 PM we are complete. Monique does the welcome. Then it is my turn. Quite exciting, but my welcome speech comes out in one go.🙃

The first ten minutes are always a bit tricky. The first half hour you are also a bit of a therapist. There are always a few people who say: I cannot do this, this is going to be nothing. Then I start doubting for a second too.

Halfway through the mandala I hear the first positive sounds. That helps. And when that first mandala is finished after an hour, people are always amazed at themselves.

6.00 PM Time for dinner. The town hall cook made lasagna. And dessert. It was great!

The result: 14 proud faces and completely different artworks

And then comes the best moment. After an hour of drawing and that initial "I can't do this" you suddenly hear: "Oh wow, look at this!"

What amazes me every time: we all start with the same circles, but no two mandalas turn out the same. One is tight and symmetrical, the other loose and colorful. Exactly as it should be.

We finished with the certificate ceremony, a raffle of one of my mandala art calendars and of course the group photo. Afterwards, many hands made light work.

The biggest reward? All the compliments afterwards about how fun and well-organized it was. No standing ovation needed, just 14 people going home proudly with their own artwork.

And 15 more next week!

With all my love🩷

Arty By Esther

Looking for a creative team building workshop in Zeeland?

Looking for a relaxed, connecting and truly different team building activity for your company, staff association or department?

A custom mandala workshop is suitable for all levels. You don't need to be able to draw. It's about focus, getting out of your head for a while and creating something beautiful together.

What I provide on location in Zeeland and beyond:

• All materials: branded pens, fineliners, workbook with step-by-step plan
• Personal guidance, even for large groups 10 to 15 people 
• Certificate for all participants
• Including PowerPoint and live demo on big screen / TV
• You only need to provide tables, chairs and a screen or TV

Perfect for a staff outing, team day, or creative break during a meeting day.

Want to know what's possible for your team?
Send me a message at info@artybyesther.com I would love to think along with you about a custom workshop in Zierikzee, Schouwen-Duiveland or at your location.