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Waynesboro: Connect, learn, be inspired with CreativeMornings speaker

Rebecca Barnabi
Courtesy of CreativeMornings Shenandoah Valley.

CreativeMornings Shenandoah Valley will host an event on Friday, Aug. 30, featuring an inspiring talk by local poet, author and mother of three Vanessa “V” Joy.

Joy returned to her hometown of Waynesboro in 2023 to raise her family in the Shenandoah Valley. She is launching a crowdfunding campaign to publish her first collection of poetry while undergoing treatment for a terminal cancer diagnosis. Under the theme RITUAL, she will guide attendees through a journey of self-discovery, emphasizing the role of ritual in living as our most true selves. The audience will explore the power of rituals in deepening our sense of purpose and connection.

The event will be held at Sunset Park, 300 N Winchester Ave., from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m.

Captivated by the freedom that comes from living unmasked, Joy will share insights into how rituals can transform our lives, helping us reconnect with our true selves.

“I believe it is our birthright to live as the most true versions of ourselves,” she said. “Let’s explore together the role that ritual plays in our homecoming journey.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the CreativeMornings community, practice rituals of their own, and enjoy a morning of coffee, connection and creativity.

CreativeMornings is the world’s largest face-to-face creative community. As only the second rural chapter in the organization’s history, the Shenandoah Valley hosts a monthly breakfast lecture series. Each event is free and open to all, offering a welcoming space to connect, learn and be inspired.

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca J. Barnabi is the national editor of Augusta Free Press. A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, she began her journalism career at The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. In 2013, she was awarded first place for feature writing in the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Awards Program, and was honored by the Virginia School Boards Association’s 2019 Media Honor Roll Program for her coverage of Waynesboro Schools. Her background in newspapers includes writing about features, local government, education and the arts.