Area residents interested in learning about ways to reduce the amount of stress in their lives through the arts are invited to attend several free workshops at Owens Community College titled “Using Art to Reduce Stress and Anxiety” in December.

Presented by Owens as part of the AmeriCorps College Completion Coaches Initiative, the four different, two-hour workshops will occur in College Hall Room 120B on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The workshops are free and open to the public.

The four separate workshops will occur Monday, Dec. 3 from 4-6 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 4 from 12-2 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 4-6 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 6 from 12-2 p.m.

During the workshops, attendees will have the opportunity to explore stretching, relaxation and breathing techniques to reduce stress. Individuals will also learn about how the arts can assist in balancing life through self-care and self-expression. Each workshop will feature a different art-specific exercise focused on freedom of artistic expression. Hands-on activities will include collage-making (Dec. 3), cartoon your life (Dec. 4), self-portrait (Dec. 5) and still-life drawing (Dec. 6).