YOUTH SOCIAL JUSTICE
ART WORKSHOPS
January 2024
Art for the Soul was excited to announce a series of our Youth Social Justice Art workshops. Local artists lead short lectures and hands-on workshops to inspire and engage youth, ages 13-18 years, around social justice issues.
Young Voices for Justice with Ayisha Miller
Saturday January 6 | 1-3pm + Saturday January 20 | 1-3pm
This 2-hour long workshop was hosted by Ayisha Miller. Ayisha lead participants in creating inspirational note cards, vision boards and journals. Space was limited for this workshop.
A Lamp for Social Justice with Sheldon Smith
Saturday January 13 | 3-5pm
Sheldon lead participants in a discussion about self care through words of affirmation. Each participant received an LED desk/table lamp and reupholstered the lampshades. Together, Sheldon and participants measured and cut an ethnic style fabric that displays various positive affirmations. The finished product was a memorable keepsake that reminds our youth to enjoy the light of having value in one’s self.
Visual Narratives: A Social Justice Collage Workshop with Jason Montgomery
Saturday January 27 | 12-3pm
Jason Montgomery, co-founder the arts activism collective Attack Bear Press and 50 Arrow Gallery, lead this collage workshop designed to empower young participants to explore and communicate their experiences as BIPOC individuals. Through the creative process of collage-making, participants had the opportunity to construct visual stories that reflect their perspectives on identity, culture, and social justice.
Rice and Beans Plate Workshop with Awilda Oxios
Saturday February 3 | 1:30-3:30pm
In this hands-on workshop, Awilda lead participants in creating their own life-like sculptures of Rice & Beans plates with pre-made molds and other provided materials. Participants also learned about food scarcity and nutrition.
PEACEful with Maurice Taylor
Saturday February 10 | 1:30-3:30pm
This community Poetry/Hip Hop Workshop was lead by Maurice Taylor, co-founder of the P.E.A.C.E program, which teaches elementary students to express themselves through poetry and Hip Hop. In this workshop, Maurice taught the art of evoking the past to change the future, through poetry, Hip Hop, and cultural expression to create, or impact, social justice movements. For ages 13-18.
This series of workshops was made possible by our generous sponsors: UMass Center at Springfield, The Barr Foundation, The Community Foundation of Western Mass, Springfield Cultural Council, Mass Cultural Council and TSM Design.