The Creative Expression Special Interest Group is a dynamic community of individuals with lived experience, loved ones of those with OCD or OC-Related Disorders, clinicians, and passionate advocates. We aim to foster a collaborative community of creatives who are interested in using their talents to support the needs of the larger OCD Community and spread awareness to the general public.
This group plays a pivotal role in developing meaningful initiatives and resources that further the IOCDF’s mission. Join us if you are passionate about art, music, film, writing, acting, and other artistic expressions and want to use your talents to create new resources, contribute content to conferences and special events, and celebrate OCD Awareness Week!
Leadership:
- Erika McCoy, IOCDF Advocate
- Halima Flynt, OCD North Carolina Board Member
Accomplishments:
- Creativity Corner at the IOCDF's 29th Annual OCD Conference (2024)
- 29th Annual OCD Conference Virtual Art Gallery (2024)
- Hosted a variety of OCD Awareness Week events including Live Paint Night
- Designed OCD Awareness merch (2023)
- Collaborated with Not Alone Notes to design Message of Hope Cards (2023)
Initiatives:
- Assist in designing graphics related to Creative SIG and Art Galleries
- Continue working with new and existing IOCDF partners to expand our impact
- Developing awareness-raising infographics
- Create Anyway: Support Group for Creatives with OCD (meets 3rd Sunday of the month @ 1pm PT)
- Ongoing, monthly “2nd Saturday's: Virtual Art Workshops” open to everyone! (every 2nd Saturday of the month @ 2:00pm ET)
- Monthly Creative Writing Workshop
- “Imagination Crew” (meets 3rd Saturday of the month @ 2:00pm ET)
Want to Join the Creative Expression Special Interest Group?
This group is open to new membership. Please fill out the interest form to receive meeting information. If you have additional questions, please email sigs@iocdf.org.
2nd Saturday Art Workshop
The 2nd Saturday Art Workshop is presented by the IOCDF Creative Expressions Special Interest Group. Using art to tell your OCD story can be a powerful way to express your experiences and raise awareness. Unleash your creativity and join us on the second Saturday for a community event focused on various art forms, such as painting, drawing, mixed media, digital art and more. This event is designed for beginners and experienced artists who want to hang out, talk OCD and get crafty creating! Sign up using this form to receive meeting reminders, monthly topics and the zoom link. Mark your calendar! Starting November 11, 2023 at 2:30 pm ET, then every 2nd Saturday of the month at 2:00 pm ET.
Monthly Creative Writing Workshop
The Imagination CREW (Creative Routes to Explore Writing) is a virtual creative writing workshop for those with OCD. Come join the CREW and spend time with other members of the OCD community! Each meeting will focus on a certain type of creative writing and/or a certain theme/topic. These will vary, but may include Fantasy, Poetry, Short Play Scripts, Short Stories, Hero’s Journey Stories, Anti-Hero Stories, Songs, Comic Strips, Collaborative Projects, Journaling, Greeting Cards, Create an app, Invention, Create a reality show, Create a holiday, Mystery, and more.
Leadership:
Lauren Shoemaker, Hannah Zidansek, Krista Reed, LSCSW
Want to Join the Imagination CREW?
Please fill out the interest form to receive meeting information.