Resume & CV
Susan Ernst
Degrees
MAR Religion & Ecology, Yale Divinity School New Haven, CT 2018
BS Studio Art, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 2011
AAS Ornamental Horticulture, Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale, NY 1982
Certifications and other Training
Rural Arts Development training, Arts & Business Council, Nashville, TN, Summer 2023
Certificate, JourneyCirclesTM and MoonCirclesTM Facilitator Training, JourneyPath Institute, July 2020
Certificate, Spiritual Direction, Selah Center for Spiritual Formation, McEwen, TN 2019
John Philip Newell’s School of Celtic Consciousness, Mercy by the Sea, Madison, CT 2017 and 2018
Certificate, Nature Contemplation and Creation Care, Center for Religion and Environment, University of the South, Sewanee, TN, 2017
Certificate, SoulCollage® Facilitator Training, Lenox, MA, 2015
Certificate, Master Naturalist Training, Connecticut Audubon, Fairfield, CT 2015
Article on my Artist in Residency at Yale Landscape Lab:
Publications:
“A Creative Journey with Upcycled Sari Fabrics”, GreenCraft magazine, Summer 2026
“Prayer Flags for Your Garden”, In Her Garden and GreenCraft magazines, Summer 2025
Workshops, Classes, Retreats and Presentations:
2026
On sabbatical for the year
“Gathering the Past Together” monthly Family History Working Group at Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN
2025
“Garden Threads, A Slow Stitching Retreat” online course at Vibrant Growth Arts
Storycatcher: Making Sense of Our Lives through the Power and Practice of Story by Christina Baldwin yearlong book discussion both in person at Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN and online
“Monthly Art Lab” at Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN
2024
Juror for Cheatham County Juried Arts Competition, Cheatham County Town Hall
Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance by Julia Cameron yearlong book discussion both in person at Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN and online
At Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN:
“Book Arts Workshops”
“Mixed Media Experiments”
“Slow Stitching for Mixed Media”
“The Art of Collage”
“Through the Seasons with SoulCollage®”
2023
“Attuning To Nature’s Wisdom” online course at Vibrant Growth Arts
The Artist’s Way for Midlife and Beyond by Julia Cameron yearlong book discussion both in person at Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN and online
At Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN:
“Coffee Time Art Journaling”
“Mixed Media Abstract Landscapes”
“My Beautiful Little Book”
“Create a Nature Journal”
“Printmaking with a Gel Plate”
“Exploring the Wonderful World of You – An Introduction to SoulCollage®”
“Cultivating the Garden of Your Soul – A Spring SoulCollage® Workshop”
“Doorways of Discovery: A Summer SoulCollage® Workshop”
“Meeting the Crowd at the Hearth of the Soul: An Autumn SoulCollage® Workshop”
2022
"Autumn Contemplative Nature Walks Series", Penuel Ridge Retreat Center, Ashland City, TN
"Intro to Art Journaling", Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN
"Nature Printing Workshop", Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN
2021
The Listening Path: The Creative Art of Attention by Julia Cameron, online book discussion
"Attuning to the Wisdom of Nature, A Day Retreat", Penuel Ridge Retreat Center, Ashland City, TN
2020
“Cultivating Creativity: Art as a Contemplative Practice” online course for Selah Spiritual, Nashville, TN
2019
Organized First Contemplation and Creation Care Certificate Program Alumni Reunion, Sewanee, TN
2018
“Creation”, Presentation given at Living Rock Church, Killingworth, CT
“Opening the Book of Nature: Learning from Creation” Workshop, Living Rock Church, Killingworth, CT
2017
“Contemplative Nature Walks” (Five Sessions), Yale West Campus, Orange, CT
“Nature Printing” Workshop, Yale West Campus, Orange, CT
2016
“Greetings Earthling: Our Relationship with the World” SoulCollage® Workshop, Whitneyville Cultural Commons, Hamden, CT
“The Wonderful World of You: An Introduction to SoulCollage®” Workshop, Whitneyville Cultural Commons, Hamden, CT
“Jubilee – The Flourishing of All Creation Part 2 – Sustaining Creation” class, Stamford Church of Christ, Stamford, CT
“Jubilee – The Flourishing of All Creation Part 1 – Embracing Creation” class, Stamford Church of Christ, Stamford, CT
“Art and Spirituality” Online Course – Selah Center for Spiritual Formation, http://selahspiritual.com/art-and-spirituality/
2015
“Cultivating the Garden of Your Soul: An Introduction to SoulCollage®” Workshop, Stratford, CT
“SoulCollage® as Prayer”, Stamford Church of Christ, Stamford, CT
2014
“Cultivating Wonder Through Nature and Poetry” Workshop, Stamford Church of Christ, Stamford, CT
“Cultivating Wonder Through Art, Photography and Music” Workshop, Stamford Church of Christ, Stamford, CT
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron book discussion, Stratford Arts Guild, Stratford, CT
“Practicing the Art of Being Fully Present: A One Day Retreat”, Stratford, CT
2013
“Inspirational Artist Trading Cards”, Made in Bridgeport, Bridgeport, Ct
“Practicing the Art of Being Fully Present: A One Day Retreat”, Stratford, CT
“Simple Printmaking & Bookbinding Techniques”, Etsy Craft Party, Arcade Mall, Bridgeport, CT
“Creating Visual Journals for Prayer, Praise and Bible Study”, Trumbull Church of Christ, Trumbull, CT
2011
Papermaking Workshop, Holy Cross High School, Waterbury, CT
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 Inviting Conversations, Artist in Residence, Yale Landscape Lab, West Campus, Orange, CT
2012 Inspirations, New Talent Gallery, Hunt Hill Farm Trust, New Milford, CT
GROUP EXHIBITIONS, SHOWS and COLLABORATIONS
2026
"Stitch and Gather 2026: Better Together" online event hosted by Michelle Cox
"A Curated Roundtable" YouTube event hosted by Kelly Schaub
2025
Arts Du Soleil, Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN
"Stitch and Gather 2025" online event hosted by Michelle Cox
"Curated: A Personalized Passport to Creativity" online event hosted by Kelly Schaub
2023
Art in the Park, Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN
2022
Art in the Park, Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning, Springfield, TN
Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibit, DAC Gallery, Clarksville, TN
2014
Holiday Show, Aux 3 Pommes, Guilford, CT
2nd Annual Artists & Artisans in Paradise Show, Juried, Stratford Arts Guild, Stratford, CT
Bridgeport Arts Fest, Bridgeport, CT
Village of Devon Farmers Market, Milford, CT
Annual Mother’s Day Art in the Alley, Stratford Arts Guild, Stratford, CT
2013
Bridgeport Art Trail, at Made In Bridgeport, CT
City Wide Open Studios, New Haven Armory, New Haven, CT
Autumn Arts Festival, Arts Center Killingworth, Madison, CT
1st Annual Artists & Artisans in Paradise Show, Juried, Stratford Arts Guild, Stratford, CT
Festival! Stratford Arts Marketplace, American Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford, CT
Annual Mother’s Day Art in the Alley, Stratford Arts Guild, Stratford, CT
Mothers Day Show, Aux 3 Pommes, Guilford, CT
Nature's Art, Juried, Stamford Art Association, Bartlett Arboretum, Stamford, CT.
2012
Holiday Show, Aux 3 Pommes, Guilford, CT
City Wide Open Studios, Artspace New Haven, New Haven Register Building, New Haven, CT
Creative Arts Workshop Student Show, New Haven, CT
2011
WPKN ArtFest Exhibition and Silent Auction, City Wide Open Studios, New Haven, CT
Creative Arts Workshop Student and Faculty Show, New Haven, CT
2010
Small Works Exhibition, Juried, Firehouse Gallery, Milford, CT
WPKN ArtFest Exhibition and Silent Auction, City Wide Open Studios, New Haven, CT
Creative Arts Workshop Student and Faculty Show, New Haven, CT
2009
Student Art League Show, Southern Connecticut State University
SCSU Art Students Show, New Talent Gallery, The Silo, New Milford, CT