Through her interactive presentations and workshops, Lauren shares in a very personal way the history of African Americans through storytelling of her own family and cultural history depicted in her quilts. These programs are designed to complement Florida curriculum and can be customized to meet the space and scheduling requirements of individual schools and organizations.
A 40 minute multi-media presentation of slides, actual artwork and storytelling around personal and African American history. Includes the Civil Rights struggle, present day human rights stories and international human rights. Excellent across the curriculum use of visual arts and social studies to reach all levels of students from 5th -12th grades.
Interactive storytelling using the artist's story quilts, drawings and paintings, as well as family and traditional African American stories of unlikely heroes in our history. Participants reflect, write and draw their own heroic stories. Schools may develop a community art quilt from this beginning work.
An interactive workshop/discussion of the historical use of West African Adinkra symbols and their link to African American culture. Students select symbols and write an essay about why the particular symbol represents their personality. We then work to produce an art-fabric piece using textile paints and linoleum block stamps. Text is added through ink-jet printing techniques. This workshop addresses state curriculum writing requirements and involves Internet and library research into West African cultures and societies. The workshop also supports art curricula in patterning, graphic design and cultural folk arts.
A great cross-the-curriculum collaboration with health, science and art teachers. Encourages students to “turn off the nay-sayer&rdquo inside. Students learn drawing techniques, including the self portrait, to facilitate drawing for personal expression and relaxation. Issues of body image, self-reliance and patience are explored as the artist works one-on-one with each student in an informal yet productive setting. The workshop also encourages writing and drawing together to more fully express oneself. Especially for the student who says “I can't draw!&rdquo This is an excellent workshop for any age group, but especially effective with middle school age students.
