Students learn about Laura Lee’s process for making graphic novels that’s rooted in her use of art for personal healing. In 60 minutes, she can collaboratively develop an original character with students drawing it out LIVE! In 90 minutes, we can concrete a finished six panel comic. With more time students can start drawing their…
Request ProgramVisual and Performing Arts Programs
VMFA visual and performing arts programs are designed to stimulate greater community involvement in art education and to provide opportunities for individuals to work closely with noted professional artists. These artists have been selected for the merit of their work, their serious commitment to professional excellence, their teaching experience, and their communication skills. The wide variety of workshops allows the VMFA partner the flexibility to schedule programs that meet specific audience needs and satisfy different levels of skill and/or experience. See Booking Visual Arts Workshops and Performances for information about requesting a workshop or performance
Self/Community Care Plan
Students learn about Laura Lee’s self/ community care practices featured in The Dark Matter of Mona Starr which touches on creative expression, embodied wellness practices, and shared care utilizing support system. In a 60 minute workshop she’ll walk through students making their own self care plan giving practical examples for how to manage their mood…
Request ProgramSketchbook Dares
Students learn about how Laura Lee’s origin story working in sketchbooks gave her confidence and healing…plus ultimately set her up for success in her graphic novels. (Especially Page by Paige who works in a sketchbook!) Laura Lee will lead students in a couple of favorite drawing prompts from her interactive book Sketchbook Dares: 24 Ways to…
Request ProgramGraphic Novel Adaptation
Interested in adapting scenes from a classic book into graphic novel format with your students? Laura Lee can give an introduction to this process to set your unit up for success! She breaks down the graphic novel creation process so students can apply it to their chosen scene, covering basic visual storytelling mechanics such as…
Request ProgramMindfulness of Art
Students learn about how contemplative practices (aka mindful compassion) have helped Laura Lee cultivate self-awareness, calm the mind, and heal from stress. She then walks students through some of her favorite methods, which can be catered to the specific needs of the students participating and length of the workshop. For example, these practices might include…
Request ProgramComic Mural Residency
In this special week-long residency, Laura Lee can work with an entire school grade on making comics which results in a paper mural installed in the school! On Monday-Tuesday she first makes collaborative comics with each class. Then on Wednesday the whole grade meets in an assembly to vote on which class comic to turn…
Request ProgramBasic Drawing in Pencil Workshop
All levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, this course will help you create clear images. You will do multiple drawing exercises to improve your skills and awaken your ability to translate what you see onto paper. You will practice using line, mass, form, value, perspective and composition. Photos will be provided…
Request ProgramPhysical Theatre and Creation of Conscious Dance Theatre
Students practice meaningful storytelling through movement and character development, original spoken text, and exaggerated theatrical physicality. We explore authentic feelings and humor, experimenting with the most effective mediums to illustrate the content. This class is appropriate for both actors and dancers, those drawn to creating original performance, and anyone interested in self-discovery through expression. Longer…
Request ProgramSelf-Expression through Chinese Calligraphy Art
Chinese calligraphy as an art form is life fully experienced through the energy and motion of marks on paper, with time and rhythm in shifting space. The speed, acceleration and deceleration of the writer’s moves and turns give “spirit” to the characters by greatly influencing their final result. It requires the writer to have perfect…
Request ProgramStreet Photography
In this course, photographer Jaclyn Brown will show you how to capture decisive moments that communicate the energy of a particular place. The workshop will start by studying the masters of street photography, and then present various methods for approaching strangers for portraits, creating strong compositions, working with the light you have (as well as…
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