Hands-on Sensory Journal bookmaking art class in the Book Arts studio! Learn about the art of making sensory journals with teaching artist & mental health advocate Rachel Derrington, and create a journal of your own in this class. Made of junk mail, old fabric, and other everyday items, Sensory Journals are a tool to calm nervous systems, promote sensory processing and to encourage emotional intelligence. Sensory Journals can provide a personal and creative space where individuals explore and express their inner experiences through art and sensory engagement. Each page of the journal invites the artist to connect with their senses—touch, sight, sound, movement, and even smell and taste—using colors, textures, shapes, and patterns to represent feelings and thoughts that may be difficult to put into words. Through this sensory exploration, the journal becomes a bridge between the body and mind, helping to ground the artist in the present moment and foster mindfulness. The process of creating in the sensory journal encourages reflection and self-awareness, allowing the artist to recognize and honor their unique sensory needs and emotional landscape. It is a safe, non-judgmental space where vulnerability is welcomed and creativity is celebrated. Ultimately, these sensory journals serve as a tool for empowerment, offering a means to navigate complex emotions, reduce stress, and build resilience. They remind us that healing and growth are deeply personal journeys, and that through art, we can find connection, understanding, and hope. The workshop is geared towards all ages. There is no prerequisite knowledge required. All materials provided. Find out more about Rachel’s artwork here. Things to note: • Makers of all skill levels are welcome. The workshop is geared towards teens + adults. There is no prerequisite knowledge required. • All necessary tools to participate are provided. • Please read our ‘Plan Your Visit’ page to review our health & safety procedures. Any questions about the class please email curious@wnybookarts.org RACHEL DERRINGTON Rachel Derrington is a social worker, educator, and book artist dedicated to fostering healing through creative expression. She holds a degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver. After spending most of her adult life in Texas and Colorado, Rachel recently moved to Buffalo to spend her summers immersed in art and community. She currently works with 5th and 6th grade special education students at a charter school on the East Side of Buffalo and does financial consulting with special needs parents. Rachel’s consulting business also includes assisting teachers and administrators with integrating art into Math, Science, English and Social Studies curricula as well as working with the Center for Journal Therapy to facilitate journal writing workshops. As an only child, much of Rachel’s youth was spent journaling and reading—practices that have deeply shaped her life and work. Five years ago, after nursing her mother through terminal cancer, Rachel turned to art and journaling as a way to process grief. Using her mother’s papers, books, old fabrics, tea towels, linens, and photographs, she created junk journals that became sacred spaces of remembrance and healing. This intimate experience inspired her to create Sensory Journals, where she crafts handmade journals from recycled junk mail, blending sustainability with therapeutic art. Rachel’s work extends beyond local communities; she has had the privilege of supporting trauma victims internationally, most recently collaborating with political and religious leaders in Senegal. These experiences deepen her understanding of resilience and the universal need for healing through creative expression.
