Historically, and in our own time, African American artists have foregrounded in their work the social, political, and cultural successes of Black Americans and have offered vociferous critiques of violations of their civil rights, and of systemic racism. In their art they questioned racial stereotyping and engaged their audience in thoughtful, but also provocative interrogations of the cultural and socio-political marginalizations of African Americans in American society. This lecture will analyze works by African American artists in the collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, among others, as the means of resistance and political activism aiming to dismantle racial prejudice and celebrate multilayered African American identities.
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Physical 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 workshops and residencies become more personal, deepening into the poetics of the soul on a journey from inner reflection to artful expression.
Love Letters to Humanity
This one-woman show weaves dance and theatre to reveal both the humor and struggle on the search for inner peace. Katie’s spirited rawness traverses the realms of movement poetry and wild character play, uniquely holding satire with compassion. In a depiction of the personal and the collective, vignettes expose escapism, uncomfortable emotions, and cultural imbalances, with insights for coming back to wholeness. Love Letters to Humanity is a heightened collective experience as the audience joins in mindful breathing, rhythm making, and cheer. We are reminded that we are not alone in our darkness and inspired to move more fully into the light.
Beautiful Chinese Cuisine Visual Journey
Chinese cuisine is an important part of Chinese culture. When we are homesick, we always say that we are missing the homeland taste of food where we grew up. If we cook, we can make anywhere our home. Also, if we cook, we can have a travel experience through cuisines from different cultures. There is nothing that cannot be solved with a good meal. This class will show students many beautiful pictures and various films about the 8 major Chinese cuisines. We will see the most delicious dishes from the different Chinese provinces. Additionally, we will practice making Chinese dumplings in multiple ways and to cook and eat them if you desire. This is a visual cultural feast and an absolutely mouth-watering visual journey. All supplies are included. For high school level and above.
Traditional Eight Main Chinese Cuisines:
- Chuan (Sichuan)
- Yue (Guangdong)
- Lu (Shandong)
- Huaiyang (Jiangsu)
- Hui (Anhui)
- Min (Fujian)
- Xiang (Hunan)
Self-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 control over the brush and wrist and to follow the yearnings of his or her heart. Students who don’t know any Chinese verbal language will learn how to appreciate the beauty of Chinese calligraphy and to explore the meaning of the calligraphic marks by themselves. Students will practice the basic techniques so that they can bring out their own “spirit” through this art form.
This workshop, through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice will focus on building a better understanding and appreciation of Chinese calligraphic art. Students are encouraged to develop and practice their personal artistic expression and will be able to bring their calligraphy work back home for a precious memory of self-exploration. The class provides all supplies, and how to set up the traditional accoutrements for calligraphy work. For high school level and above.
Accoutrements for Calligraphy Work
- Brush holder
- Brush
- Ink
- Rice paper
- Paper weight
- Paper pad
- Ink plate
- Brush water
- Seal and seal paste
Street 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 other variables), and imaging how to re-see the everyday in a fresh way. We will spend time during the workshop going out on location as a group to photograph. After our shoot, we will look at a selection of your best images and critique them to encourage one another in growth of our photographic skills, and love for street photography. All kinds of digital cameras and skill levels are welcome!
PROGRAM NOTES
- Maximum class size: 15 participants
- Classes will not be held on Mondays during the school year
- Available to High School Juniors and Seniors, college students, and adults
Developing a Photographic Portfolio
In this course, photographer Jaclyn Brown details the concepts and steps behind creating a well-crafted portfolio from a photographic perspective. The workshop begins with asking students about their individual goals for their portfolios. From there, the course gets into details such as defining the structure of your portfolio, looking at prime examples of successful portfolios across a variety of photographic genres, culling your images, sequencing your photographs, and choosing an ideal presentation in both digital and print. Finally, we will view students’ work and Jaclyn will offer personalized critiques for each student’s working portfolio, so they have a clear roadmap to improve their photographic skills and their body of work as a whole.
PROGRAM NOTES
- Maximum class size: 15 participants
- Classes will not be held on Mondays during the school year
- Available to High School Juniors and Seniors, college students, and adults
Digital Photography Foundations
In this course, designed for students who have little previous experience with digital photography, instructor Jaclyn Brown will help students overcome their fear of using manual settings on a DSLR camera as well as help cell phone camera users to maximize potential quality. Students will be introduced to camera operations, very basic image editing, and other important building blocks. After the workshop, students will be able to utilize their newly acquired skills, learned knowledge of what makes a good photograph, and developed confidence to take better control of their photographs as a whole. All digital cameras are welcome!
PROGRAM NOTES
- Maximum class size: 15 participants
- Classes will not be held on Mondays during the school year
- Available to High School Juniors and Seniors, college students, and adults
Intended & Unintended Meanings of the American Monument
The moment of the unveiling of a public monument marks the end of a process. The need for commemoration was felt, an artist engaged to express the idea, and the means found to bring the project to realization. Whatever the intended meaning, once in the public eye an installation acquires its own history. The interpretation of its symbolic expression evolves and the original intent of the monument becomes only one of its meanings. A significant early Virginia monument is Houdon’s mid-1780s marble Washington, with its allusions to the story of Cincinnatus. A long century of monuments referencing classical themes followed, epitomized by the sculptor Crawford’s giant 1850s female warrior with a bird-helmet and pom-pom trim, standing today atop the U.S. Capitol. The monuments that marked the Civil War turned to more of an American-rooted symbolism.
The History of Early Video Games
This presentation discusses the evolution of the video game from the 1960s through the late 1990s, with a focus on Atari and Nintendo.
In The Round: Sculpture in America
This presentation is designed to create a greater aesthetic understanding and appreciation of sculpture in America. We will delve into sculptural works of art across eras and genres, forms and subject matters, and methods and materials of American sculptors.