On Oct. 11, the Wisconsin Union will host “Playing with Play: An Interactive Discussion,” at 6 pm at the Memorial Union. The conversation centers around how adults can incorporate play into their lives to combat stress, increase productivity, and add joy to their lives. “Playing with Play” is co-sponsored by Intellectual Ratchet and Wheelhouse Studios. “Playing with Play” is free and open to the public.
Panelists for “Playing with Play” include Renee Jones, Kim Lombardi, Deshawn McKinney, and James Edward Mills. Jones is the founder of TrunkBASS, a boutique entertainment company. Jones is an advocate for using music as a form of creative and therapeutic self-expression. Lombardi is the Associate Director of Advancement at the School of Human Ecology and an “adult research coach.” As a consultant for some of the world’s largest companies, Lombardi will educate participants on the value of using play to create a dynamic workplace culture and increase overall happiness at work.
McKinney is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a hip-hop artist. McKinney infuses play into his music as a tool to educate his audience about the challenges facing members of the African diaspora. Mills is a journalist, outdoor enthusiast and author of “The Adventure Gap.” Mills uses his platform to encourage people of color to fully experience the wonders of the outdoors as a space for both recreation and solace.
In addition to engaging panelists, participants will put their newfound knowledge to good use through a pop-art workshop lead by Wheelhouse Studios. Housed in the Memorial Union, Wheelhouse Studios provides space for beginners and art aficionados alike to cultivate their artistic capabilities. Wheelhouse offers classes, studio space, and drop-in hours for guests throughout the year.
For more information on “Playing with Play,” visit here.
