Art

Teen artists will empower their creative potential as they see themselves and the world from different perspectives through art.

We will begin by exploring art as emotional expression, deepening individual sense of self awareness. On to engaging with art that reveals the expansive nature of living systems, focusing on how relationships as conveyed through art impact our experiences and identity. Then exploring the vast diversity of intentions behind creating works of art, realizing art as idea, weaving together concepts and stories that generate greater understanding of social contexts.

We will deep dive into specific individualized skills, such as mixed media, photography, fiber, sculpture, and unique interests of each teen artist. We’ll use these to deepen our awareness of the problem solving potential that happens through art, and the habits that build an artist’s capacity for creating meaningful works and discovering greater purpose.

Building on our previous work, we will engage as creative designers of art projects, beginning with essential questions that reflect a need for change.

Emerging full circle, teen artists will gather inspiration as they explore artists who see art as a medium to reshape mindsets. Working collaboratively with peers, they will design an installation which leverages the strengths of each individual and the transformative power of visual arts.

Instructor: Cathleen Banford

Instructor Bio: Cathleen engages with ecological and social resilience. Her curiosity and compassionate observation inspire her to apply her creative, conceptual thinking and intentional growth mindset to her work designing wholistic learning opportunities which align with regenerative living ethics and principles. With a background in education, visual arts, permaculture, social justice, and a Masters of Science in Education, she develops learning experiences that authentically integrate creative thinking, relevance, wellbeing and personal autonomy.

Cathleen, mother of three, and alumni of homeschooling cooperatives for many years, continues to guide youth. She has worked with visual arts, group performances, race relations, permaculture design, creative writing, self awareness, cooperative games, workshops connecting creative play with impactful learning, and recently the intersection of schools, food sovereignty, food security, food equity and food systems. She consulted with international youth developing UN Sustainability and Human Rights initiatives within their communities. Currently she is developing Vision Springs Website which highlights her work learning as community. She co-coordinates the twice-monthly Signs of Sustainability series with Sustainable Finger Lakes and participates with Building Bridges of the Center For Transformative Action. She helps grow an edible food forest at home and looks forward to teaching Transformative Possibilities of Art!

Required Materials: The following items (or similar) might enhance your experience of the course and increase your artistic toolbox at home, but none are required for participation: Copic Multiliner SP Pen – 0.7 mm Tip; Caran d’Ache Swisscolor Water-Soluble Colored Pencils – Set of 12; Duomo Artist’s Mixed Media Pencils – Set of 50; Robert Simmons Sapphire Brush – Round, Short Handle, 2/0; Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor – Set of 12; Faber-Castell Graphite Aquarelle Pencil – 2B

Materials Fee: $25