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Public Speaking Details

Transformative and restorative power of art. During the presentation, I share both research on creativity as a restorative practice and my personal journey—how art and creativity, particularly writing, helped me navigate profound loss and change in 2021 following the passing of my husband, close friends, and beloved dogs, as well as the sale of my home. In that season, creativity became a pathway to healing, reinvention, and renewed purpose. A central theme of my talk is the belief that art is deeply personal—and that everyone has the capacity to create and to enjoy art in their own way. I also emphasize something I hold dear: there is no expiration date on creativity. Curiosity, expression, and reinvention remain available to us at every stage of life. If helpful, a recording of that presentation is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULtTFNHQ8R4&t=21s

Biography

Celeste Fenton holds an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in education and has over thirty years’ experience in higher education. Her writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery, a fascination with the complexities of the human heart, and just enough real-world experience to keep things interesting. A widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired professor living in Florida, she weaves imagination with insight to create stories that are both emotionally rich and laced with suspense. When she’s not writing, reading, or plotting her next twist, she’s often off exploring small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures, much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of friends and family. Her latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.