Feb. 2 speaker offers ways to unlock creativity

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Research on creative individuals finds that they have almost contradictory traits – a desire for solitude as well as a need for social stimulation; superior knowledge on a subject, but a childlike naiveté.

Women looking for ways to explore parts of their personalities, to distinguish between interests and passions, will get information on how to do so at a free presentation Feb. 2 by therapist Janis Clark Johnston.

“There are many issues that can derail creativity,” she said. “Loss is one of them; however, treasuring creativity is at the heart of coping with loss.” Johnston said you can turn around the question, “How creative am I?” to ask, “How am I creative?”

Come prepared to enhance your skill set with “Midlife Maze: Map Your Way to Creativity!” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Fort Wayne campus of Manchester University, 10627 Diebold Road.

It is the fourth installment of the Manchester University Women’s Impact Project: Conviction in Action series designed to educate and empower women of northeast Indiana to use their passions and leadership skills to make a difference.

In 2015, the University recognized Johnston with the Alumni Honor Award, the highest recognition the Alumni Association can bestow upon a graduate. In 2011, MU presented her with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

She graduated from Manchester in 1969 with honors in psychology. Upon graduation, she furthered her education at Boston University, where she earned her master’s degree in school psychology and a doctorate in counseling psychology. Johnston has a family therapy private practice in Oak Park, Ill.

The presentation will be preceded by a networking reception with light hors d'oeuvres and cash bar at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP by Jan. 27. 

The Women’s Impact Project is a quarterly series featuring discussions on contemporary topics. 

For more information about the Women's Impact Project, contact Lisa C. Schall at 260-470-2702 or lcschall@manchester.edu.

Manchester University, with campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers more than 60 areas of academic study to 1,500 students in undergraduate programs, a Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics, a Master of Athletic Training and a four-year professional Doctor of Pharmacy.  Learn more about the private, northern Indiana school at www.manchester.edu.

Jan. 8, 2016