Let’s get creative, sensual, and real about what it means to love yourself—out loud and in color.
In this outdoor art gathering, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind self-portrait collage using a photo of yourself that you love. This is about celebration of your joy, curiosity, pleasure, and boundaries.
We’ll provide all the materials: dried flowers, glitter, yarn, oil pastels, watercolor paints, magazines, and more. You’ll use color, texture, and reflection to map out what feels good in your body, what turns you on, what makes you feel safe, and what brings you peace.
No art experience needed—just bring a photo of yourself that you love (or we’ll snap one for you on our Polaroid camera).
Along the way, we’ll guide you with gentle prompts to help you:
Think about what brings you pleasure (physically, emotionally, spiritually)
Reflect on how you care for yourself and your body
Explore how protection—like condoms, testing, and honest communication—can be a powerful part of loving yourself
You’ll leave with a personal art piece that celebrates who you are and reminds you: you are worth protecting.
Inspiration
FAQs — Frequently Asked Questions
-
This event is open to anyone interested! We will center the Black women, femmes, and the BIPOC Sapphic experience.
The health information we share will be specific to both trans and cis women’s health.
-
Drinks, Bites, and Vibes in an outdoor safe setting +the event itself!
We’ve got:
🌸 Art supplies + collage materials
🌸 A Polaroid camera (if you don’t bring a selfie)
🌸 A curated playlist full of good vibes
🌸 Affirming, pleasure-centered conversation
🌸 Free resources for queer and femme-friendly sexual health care in Chicago
🌸 A gift for you!
-
Bring your favorite SELFIE!
-
Through body-centered exercises, games, guided reflection & group discussions, you and your partner will:
✨ Learn new ways to communicate longing, boundaries, and curiosity—without words.
✨ A New Relationship with Their Selfie
✨ A Sense of Safety That Feels Sexy
✨ Validation of Their Full Erotic Self
✨ Permission to Be Soft
✨A Shift from Body Critique to Body Curiosity
✨ Understand the healthy ‘Risks’ of sex and the ‘Reasons’ for centering pleasure
-
All are welcome and encouraged to attend! Our gathering will happen in the backyard of The Fireplace, Intentional Community at 5045 S. Ellis Avenue.
Entrance to the backyard is wheelchair accessible.
Entrance to the home itself requires stairs at either entrance. Restrooms are located inside the house.
The primary languages spoken are English, Spanish and Cantonese.
Come as you are—curious, shy, bold, soft, healing, or turned all the way on. This is your space.
Your Facilitators
Melanie Anne
Melanie is a certified Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor with over a decade of non-profit Facilitation and Program Design experience. As a Black queer activist, she is committed to liberation through healing with laughter, pleasure, nutrient-rich experiences at the center. She has held pivotal roles at Leadership Development Organizations like Chicago Foundation for Women and Rockwood Leadership Institute. As a solopreneur, she offers 1:1 coaching, healing & liberation-centered events, and international wellness retreats.
Crystal Winston
Crystal is an expert in HIV Healthcare and Research, specializing in 30+ years of resilience among trans and cis-gender women with HIV. Crystal holds a BA in Health Education & Communication from the University of Arizona, as well as several Public Health Certifications.