I am between contracts– creatively hustling while applying for new contracts to survive and to be able to provide specially requested arts programming for refugee youth (at no cost to their program). That is what my 100 Herons Art Project is all about. HERON’S MOST SIGNIFICANT ESSENCE: aggressive self-determination and self-reliance Check out: I am focusing…
Category: At-risk youth
The Heron Feathers: 100 Herons Art Project
THE PROJECT: I am creating of twelve 20″ x 30″ panels depicting a total 100 Herons [between June 14 to July 31, 2017]. For every $25 raised I will draw a heron! THE SPONSORED ART will allow me to develop and provide much-needed FREE ART LESSONS for REFUGEE YOUTH from war-torn countries at a Lower Mainland program in July…
100 HERONS Art Project
THE PROJECT: I am creating of twelve 20″ x 30″ panels depicting a total 100 Herons between June 14 to July 31, 2017. For every $25 raised I will draw a heron! THE SPONSORED ART will allow me to develop and provide FREE ART LESSONS for REFUGEE YOUTH from war-torn countries at a Lower Mainland program. DONATION…
I’m raising funds to provide free sock monkey therapy!
I am selling sock monkeys and sock birds on my ETSY site to raise for sock monkey therapy! See selection at: 100% of proceeds go towards me providing free sock monkey therapy workshops for local at risk youth in Vancouver BC Canada! Sock monkey therapy creates a safe space for youth to dialogue while delivering…
Special edition sugar skull sock monkey
This handmade, handsewn sock monkey is a special version of my sugar skull sock monkey line! She has an embroidered face and her dress is soft stretch cotton with crow design. She is adorned with flowers and a little bird sits atop her head. Materials: Work socks Hypo-allergenic polyester fibre stuffing Embroidery thread Cotton Felt…
Operation Sock Monkey Booth at the Strathcona Craft Fair Nov 28! And Latest Updates!
My incredible Operation Sock Monkey Western Division team of youth, teachers, support staff, community members of all ages have been hard at work since July, volunteering time and donating supplies and monkeys. And now part of this great sock monkey collection goes on sale this Saturday at the Strathcona Craft Fair 10 AM-4 PM! 601…
Shaking the Movers- a safe space for youth to have a voice.
— I was so honored to participate (as art facilitator) in the 9th instalment of Shaking the Movers yesterday! Shaking the Movers, founded by The Honorable Landon Pearson, is a profound process that supports youth in making powerful recommendations around children’s rights using their own voices. Shaking the Movers: The Shaking the Movers conferences are two-day workshops that…
INSIDE OUT PROJECT- breaking the cycle of violence through creativity: Activities Report Summer 2015
Inside Out Project Summer 2015 was made possible by a generous grant from the Province of British Columbia – Ministry of Justice: Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division — INSIDE OUT PROJECT- OWN YOUR JOURNEY: breaking the cycle of violence through creativity Activities Report Location: Mountainside Secondary School, North Vancouver, BC, Canada Instructors: Ian Powell: photography, digital media Kat Thorsen: therapeutic art Erin Ross: animation The Inside Out Project Summer 2015 was a…
Day 4 and 5 Inside Out Project Summer 2015: Digging Deeper
INSIDE OUT PROJECT: OWN YOUR JOURNEY- Breaking the cycle of violence through creativity Inside Out Project – Own Your Journey SUMMER 2015 is a three week intensive arts-based program running out of Mountainside Secondary School (July 6-24, 2015) for youth ages 13-20 that uses the vehicles of therapeutic art, photography and stop motion animation to teach life and…
Day 1: Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey Summer 2015 arts-based youth program
INSIDE OUT PROJECT: OWN YOUR JOURNEY- Breaking the cycle of violence through creativity Inside Out Project – Own Your Journey SUMMER 2015 is a three week intensive arts-based program running out of Mountainside Secondary School (July 6-24, 2015) for youth ages 13-20 that uses the vehicles of therapeutic art, photography and stop motion animation to teach life and…
Animating Shaun Tan’s The Red Tree at Mountainside Secondary.
An extension of the Inside Out Project Own Your Journey at Mountainside Secondary 2014-2015, the animation portion- spearheaded by my colleague and dear friend, Ian Powell- engaged students in a deep and meaningful way. Ian chose The Red Tree by Shaun Tan as the vehicle to help students address social and emotional intelligence, self-reflection and empowerment…
The dream has become an urgent quest. Walk for Water Nepal.
Kamala Yonzon and her daughter Sunkosi treated me to a beautiful Nepalese dinner at Café Kathmandu last night and we chatted about life and creativity and family. I am so blessed to connect on a deeper level with these two extraordinary women. I first connected with Kamala through my dear friend Laura Mack. I was coordinator…
FRAMES FILM PROJECT INTAKE 8 GRAD MARCH 28, 2015!
FRAMES FILM PROJECT INTAKE 8 GRAD MARCH 28, 2015! I am getting ready to hand over my position as program coordinator of Frames Film Project on March 28, 2015 to new blood! I am off to new horizons including my art career and freelance therapeutic art facilitation (as opposed to coordinating programming). Come celebrate with…
North Vancouver teen finds her passion and life purpose through arts-based program
North Vancouver teen finds her passion through arts-based program and launches campaign to raise funds to bring water tank and pipeline to remote village in Nepal: It is such an honor to be facilitating The Inside Out Project at Mountainside Secondary, North Vancouver, with my colleague Ian Powell. Recall posts: INSIDE OUT: YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, PEER TO…
Inside Out Project Mountainside Secondary: own your journey
On September 30, 2014, I began my collaboration with Ian Powell at Mountainside Secondary on the INSIDE OUT PROJECT- OWN YOUR JOURNEY, inspired by my hero JR: MOUNTAINSIDE SECONDARY: Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey Youth-run initiative using the vehicle of portrait photography and street art to learn life and transferable skills while developing self-empowerment, peer…
Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey, Mountainside Pilot Project Week 5 of 5
Recall: LINK: MOUNTAINSIDE SECONDARY: Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey Youth-run initiative using the vehicle of portrait photography and street art to learn life and transferable skills while developing self-empowerment, peer to peer interaction and community connections. THEMES: Connection and Empowerment CO-FACILITATORS: IAN POWELL, KAT THORSEN Pilot Project: September 30, 2014- October 30, 2014 INSPIRED BY OUR…
Inside Out: youth empowerment, peer to peer interaction and community connections.
I am so excited to be part of this incredible project inspired by my hero JR: MOUNTAINSIDE SECONDARY: Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey Youth-run initiative using the vehicle of portrait photography and street art to learn life and transferable skills while developing self-empowerment, peer to peer interaction and community connections. THEMES: Connection and Empowerment CO-FACILITATORS:…
#KeithHaring inspired canvas in progress at @MediaForYouth
At Intersections Media we love Art Mondays! Besides filmmaking, a significant part of Intersections is dipping our hands into the visual art/creative process and into art history by creating art work that interprets the masters and that creates community dialogue. On Mondays we cover the art component and attack the canvas. We are in the process of creating…
Recalling the creation of the mural “Destiny Manifesting.” #youthart
My students and I started this mural in the art therapy room at Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary in North Vancouver in 2009… and on July 5, 2011, I dragged it to Kirkstone Park, North Vancouver… The mural was inspired by Doze Green‘s Galeria de la Raza, 1999, as found in the book Street Art San Francisco- Mission Muralismo: Here’s a photo journey…
Art is not about the finished product but about the creative process.
INTERACTIVE ART Art is a powerful tool to facilitate connection and healing. For me, art is not about the finished product but about the creative process. Allowing the community to take ownership of the art creates dialogue- an ongoing dynamic that enriches all involved. On Saturday June 14, 2014, senior residents at Rideau Manor and audience…
Flour, water, sugar. China markers and newsprint. Plus some youth. Perfect combo!
Latest gallery of wheatpaste sessions with Intersections Media Opportunities for Youth Society and Byrne Creek Secondary! All my street art projects are inspired by JR and the Inside Out Project. Make sure to check out the Inside Out Project Victoria!!!
Sock Monkey Life Skills Entrepreneurship Curriculum Development update!
Recall I am developing the following project: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SERIES 1: THE @BY POSTSTREET SOCK MONKEY LIFE SKILLS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM for youth groups, schools and community organizations in partnership with OPERATION SOCK MONKEY I am pleased that things are moving forward as intended! Phase 1 is on track regarding community outreach and awareness. I have…
The inspiring work of @GlobalSorority @passionteams and @g4gcharity in Cape Town
I am truly in awe of and inspired by the powerful work being done globally by my friends at The Passion Foundation Global Sorority Girls 4 Girls And I am delighted to see our Operation Sock Monkey sock monkeys at work on the ground in Cape Town! Photos courtesy of Global Sorority and Passion Foundation: …
The most beautiful card in the world.
Today was my last session of the Cultural Identity Project with Laura Mathers Grade 8 class. I am so honoured to have worked with such an incredible group of youth. And what a beautiful surprise to receive this hand done card from the students (24 x 43.5 inches):
OSM HANDBOOK LIFE SKILLS
CURRENTLY PLANNING NEXT STEPS AS I CONTINUE FUNDRAISING FOR the Operation Sock Monkey Handbook for youth groups, schools and community organizations GENERAL STRUCTURE FOR WORKBOOK: • Sections • Chapters • Diagrams • Photographs • Resources IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING LIFE SKILLS [Source: Healing the Inner City Child] “Life skills” are defined as psychosocial abilities for adaptive and positive behavior…
Cultural identity project at Byrne Creek Secondary- Gallery #wheatpaste #chinamarker #paint
CULTURAL IDENTITY PORTRAIT PROJECT SESSION 6 OF 7, BYRNE CREEK SCHOOL GR. 8 Recall previous posts about this project: Does wheatpaste work on a ceiling tile? Session 2 of 7 Today we added final touches. 30 Grade 8 students did an extraordinary job on this project. The result illustrates that their true identity lies in connection,…
@BYPOSTSTREET ART HOUSE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SERIES 1 PHASE 1
THE @BYPOSTSTREET ART HOUSE GLOBAL: Creative Director, Anna Thorsen LOCAL: Art Director, Kat Thorsen (Vancouver BC) MISSION: To awaken creative expression VISION: To develop global art initiatives Art Events, Street Art, Apparel, Curriculum Development, Workshops, Workbooks, Speaker Series, Craftivism, Illustration, Portraiture, Documentaries, Graphic Novels PRESENTS Curriculum Development Series 1: The @BY POSTSTREET Sock Monkey Life Skills and Entrepreneurship Program for youth…
It has been a beautiful fight. Still is. – Bukowski
“Lighting new cigarettes, pouring more drinks. It has been a beautiful fight. Still is.” – Charles Bukowski
Does wheatpasting work on a ceiling tile? Hmmm…
I will be facilitating a really exciting Cultural Portrait pilot project at a local high school in a couple of weeks. The plan is for the 30 students to create a street art type ceiling as they explore self and cultural identity. The work is to go on those classic porous school ceiling tiles- you…
Tools for anxiety- esteem hearts at ArtQuake 2014
I was honored and elated to be part of ArtQuake 2014 at SFU Harbor Centre yesterday! ArtQuake envisions a transformed world where every youth is a vehicle for change, fueled by their own creative expression. The theme of yesterday’s event was Madness Matters: Re-creating Mental Health Through Art and Community. I provided two workshops on…