Yes! This is the stuff!

They say that balance is really all about falling in and out of balance. A couple of days ago, I found myself very much out of balance, struggling with my environment and my identity in a new city and around new people. However, over the past few days I have been able to swing back into self assurance and stability. As a result I feel more in sync with my job, my co-workers and myself.

My internship is also becoming more stable, more familiar and, best of all, more interesting! I am still working on the case of one of the incarcerate woman at the women’s prison ICIW (Iowa Correctional Institute for Women) and have already met with her twice. I very much enjoy seeing her, as hard as the conversations can be. In addition, I am slowly but surely creating a committee of incarcerate women at the prison who will assist me and help me organize Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which will take place during October. I am also busy with organizing events and collecting ideas which will take place during that month.

And now for the best part. I will also be teaching an art class every week at the women’s prison!!!! I created my own syllabus and organized the structure and layout of the class. I will be teaching once a week in addition to holding studio hours. For those who don’t know this, art has been a passion in my life, which for better or worse, I continuously put to the side. However, no matter what I am doing or where I am, art always seems to follow me. It is very strange how that happens. If you are interested, I have posted my syllabus below explaining the goal and layout of the class.

I also just got back from an extraordinarily enjoyable walk around one of the nature parks in Des Moines. I finally am beginning to feel rested, collected and at peace. Strange thing balance…


Experimental Art

Facilitator: Ashley Oldacre
Class time: Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:00 at ICIW
Studio Time: Wednesdays from 1:30 to 5:30 at ICIW

Introduction:

This class will use art as a vehicle for personal expression and experimentation. Firstly, art can provide an outlet for emotions, thoughts and ideas and secondly, it can be used to create something beautiful and expressive. The very process of creating art requires concentration and deep reflection and the process can be comforting and productive. The purpose of this class will be to explore different mediums and aspects of art centered on the theme of domestic violence. The techniques proposed will be used to create meaningful pieces, which will be shared with group.

Assignment and Class Expectations:

The class is designed to provide a safe environment for the women to express themselves freely and help them regain a sense of self and confidence. In order for this class to be beneficial and productive, confidentially and respect for others work, thoughts and ideas must be observed.

Structure of the Class:
At the beginning of each class, I will explain the assignment of the day and engage the class in active discussion about what they will be working on. As such, I expect everyone to participate in the discussion. All information that is shared in class will remain absolutely confidential. All of the assignments and projects will be completed during class time. At the end of class, the group will come together and share their art and/or thoughts and opinions about the project.

Studio Time:
On Wednesdays from 1:30 to 5:30, I will be available to provide any help or guidance to those who have time and who wish to practice and continue what was taught during class. Studio time is intended to for anyone who wants to continue art outside the classroom, either to continue a project or do art independently.

Notebooks:
Each person in the class will receive a notebook, which they may keep. The notebook is intended to be used as a release and a space for exploration and expression. I require that everyone makes an entry in the notebook either by drawing, illustrating or writing something before each class, which they can share with the rest of the group the next day if they wish. It is hoped that the notebooks can be used as a tool for expression, even after the course is over.


Syllabus


July 21st: - Introduction to the class
- What Happens When You Just Have a Pen?
Exploring line drawing and designs to create emotion, capture still life and open a world of creativity.

Supplies: Plain wire-free notebook and a pen.

July 28th : - Expression Through Color and Words.
Exploring and using colors to express emotions and thoughts combined with collecting words, numbers, statistics and phrases related to domestic violence or personal history, and illustrating the words using visual representations and paper collage/poster.

Supplies: Colored pens and/or paints and/or colored pencils, lots of magazines/
newspapers, glue, thick large sheets of paper or cardboard, pens.

August 4th : - Facial Expression: Making “before and after domestic violence” masks.

Supplies: Plain plastic masks, glue, different fabric, string, feathers, buttons, paints, felt tip pens and anything else that is available.

August 11th : - Make/Break/Create: Empowering the female body and exploring the art of impermanence.
- Final Reflections

Supplies: Anything previously used, depending on what is left or still available.