What a challenging couple of years it has been! As we gear up towards mass re-entrance into in-person learning, it’s a great time to reinforce some basic self awareness and awareness of others.

This class allows space for discombobulation and reflection, while students practice new Art skills. Over five weeks, participants will create beautiful art work while tapping in to their own self awareness, surroundings, and others. Activities will emphasize a centering and slowness. Each of the lessons in this course, utilizes a NYS Arts learning standard, in support of SEL.

**Participants will be encouraged to keep a journal during the duration of this workshop to further develop art work ideas, self - awareness, general observations, and cultivate ways of storytelling**

Class structure: 
Each class will begin with a “check in,” or mindfulness or breathing activity, followed by Art making. Many of these activities utilize techniques from form drawing, improvised coloring, and abstract impression. Students will learn about a variety of art techniques as they make connections between mind and body. Class will conclude with a brief stretch and verbal check in, where participants will be invited to share their art work.

Weekly focus: 
Week 1: Mood and color: Making connections to the self. We will discuss the color and how it can influence us as it and it relates to the color wheel. What do warm and cool colors represent ? Students will examine some famous artworks utilizing this connection. As a group, we will engage visual thinking strategies to make connections to the work samples, and their own art making approach. Participants will then be invited to join a loose, guided prompt as we allow the colors to be the driving force of our artwork. 

Weeks 2: Sound and Color: Acknowledging outside forces. As we identify other sources that can influence us, we will experiment with different types of music as a physical example. Using an improvisational approach, students will practice letting go of thoughts, and letting their drawing tools wander. How does the sound influence our art making? How does it differ if the music is fast? Slow? Familiar? Using a concept invented by Kandinsky, we will allow our work to be driven by these exterior forces, and reflect on the experience afterwords. 

Week 3: Storytelling and self management. We will examine some works with chaotic, high energy, as we and practice ways to convey this visually. How does the physicality of rhythm effect the mood of the piece? We will practice stopping and starting, as participants work in a physical “freeze” during this process. What do the “stopping points” tell about the story? What about the parts with lots of activity? How can we use this same control softly, without too much extra force ?

Week 4: Growth mindset and centering. Picturing ourselves in an aspirational or positive light, can allow room for motivation, positivity, and goals. Students will work on a self portrait using qualities that they already possess alongside qualities they would like to possess. Participants are welcome to be as creative as possible as they add real and or imaginary attributes.

Week 5: mirroring and social awareness.  By focusing on the “we” as opposed to me, our perspective can alter and quiet busy mental chatter. We will focus on making an artwork for someone else, as we practice empathizing with their likes and dislikes. What are the characteristics about this person that are inspiring? What are some of their favorite things? 

Week 6: mandalas and decision making. This age group is on the cusp on individual decision making, and we will practice this action on a very small scale, through a very detailed mandala that is completely personalized by each learner. The coloring process of this activity has also proven to be meditative as we end this class looking to the future with confidence and optimism. As we work with patience and slowness, participants are encouraged to appreciate things that do not go as planned.