Episode 8: Ending & Onwards
The way you wrap up a workshop matters just as much as how you begin it. A thoughtful closing email ties up loose ends, gathers feedback, and leaves participants with a sense of completion and connection. This week I'm sharing what goes into a meaningful post-workshop email, plus some reflections on the value of honest feedback and self-reflection for growing as a facilitator.
“...you have hopefully created a temporary alternative world in your gathering, and it is your job to help your guests close that world, decide what of the experience they want to carry with them, and reenter all that from which they came.”
- Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering
Here’s the RSS link if you want to add the podcast to your player of choice (or at least those that let you): https://sunfishstudioceramics.ca/wondrous-workshops-episodes?format=rss
Reflection Questions
What energy and atmosphere do you want participants to feel when they first arrive at your workshop? How might you create that feeling through your opening activities, space setup, and sensory choices?
Think about a project you might want to teach at a workshop: Where are the natural breaking points for demonstrations? If you were to pace it out in a timeline, what segments might need more spaciousness and where could you pick up the pace if needed?
Where in your workshop could participants have opportunities for creative exploration and personal choice (This might be in shape, size, design, colour etc.)?
Reading References
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
Resources
example closing email
This is the actual closing email I sent to my pottery workshop participants. Use it as inspiration for your own, and notice how it thanks participants, reiterates the purpose, ties up loose ends, brings them behind the scenes, covers logistics, and makes asks (feedback, testimonials) while also providing value (care tips, answering questions).
workshop feedback form
I send this out after every workshop to get honest feedback from participants. I know it can be difficult to receive criticism, but it's also one of the best tools we have for growing as facilitators. Just remember to take care of yourself when reading responses (maybe in the bathtub!), take feedback with a grain of salt, look for patterns rather than fixating on individual comments, and be gentle with yourself in the process.
post workshop reflection
Taking a bit of time to reflect post-workshop will help you grow as a facilitator and gently improve your future workshops. Here are some questions to get you started, whether that’s in your journal, during a walk, or in the bathtub.