Community workshops are underway as part of an event series presented by Youth Elevating Youth (YEY) and funded by Supporting Performing Arts in Rural Communities (SPARC). The workshops were designed to provide knowledge and skill building opportunities focused around both personal and community arts and are open to the public at no charge.
The first of the five scheduled workshops took place on the evening of October 22nd. ‘Mindfulness + Intuitive Arts’ explored self awareness and clarity of creative processes through an evening of interdisciplinary arts at Tone Studio. Members of the YEY collective Maxine Iharosy (yoga, movement, and mindfulness teacher) and Skye Cormier (local abstract painter and photographer) led people of all ages in an intimate setting. ‘The workshop was a thought-provoking journey of unrestrained creativity and self exploration,’ said Skye. ‘I am happy to be part of such a dynamic group of people helping to bring diverse and youthful arts, passion, and awareness to the community.’
The Laidlaw Foundation will lead a grant writing workshop on November 2nd at 1pm at OPSEU (1717 2nd Ave E #100). This will provide practical knowledge to those interested in furthering artistic or community endeavors that might require funding or seed money.
Sheatre colleagues Warren Bain and Lauren Best are facilitating ‘Theater for Conversation’ November 12th at 7pm. This hands-on workshop will introduce participants to techniques for interactive and improvisational theatre for community based dialogue. Joan Chandler, also of Sheatre, will join ranks with Best in ‘Inspiring Arts Engagement’ on November 18th at 1pm, which will explore workshop planning. This invites arts facilitators of all experience levels to join in collaborative knowledge building and experimental arts-based learning.
On November 24th at 1pm, co-facilitators Michael O’Connell and Winston Boudreau will lead ‘Anti-Oppression in Community Arts’ in the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library Auditorium (824 1st Ave W). They will provide facilitated dialogue and arts-based exploration of both anti-oppression and oppression within our communities. ‘We hope this workshop will open discussion on the process of unlearning and the reality of privilege that is prevalent on a day to day basis.’ says collective member Andy King.
To register to attend any of the upcoming workshops or become involved with YEY, please email [email protected].
YEY is a new youth-led arts organization based in Owen Sound, founded by a group of young adults with the vision to highlight the importance of creating inclusive local artistic opportunities.
Grant Writing 101 Workshop
November 2 - 1-3.30pm - OPSEU
Facilitators: Laidlaw Foundation https://www.facebook.com/events/723715344652243/
Theatre for Conversation
November 12 - 7-9.30pm - OPSEU
Facilitators: Warren Bain and Lauren Best https://www.facebook.com/events/316505175803281/
Inspiring Arts Engagement
November 18 - 1-4pm - OPSEU
Facilitators: Joan Chandler and Lauren Best https://www.facebook.com/events/112780919609521/
Anti-Oppression in Community Arts
November 24 - 1-4pm - Library Auditorium
Facilitators: Michael O'Connell and Winston Boudreau https://www.facebook.com/events/1925270700873787/
Watch YEY social media pages for upcoming details about events and follow this link to sign up for the monthly newsletter! http://eepurl.com/dFxM-X
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youthelevatingyouth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeycollective/
This project was made possible, in part, by SPARC (Supporting Performing Arts in Rural and Remote Communities) through their Collaborative Community Initiatives fund.
source: media release, YEY Collective
