The Trout Lake Youth Council owls! @HELPPBP outreach project #education

December 9, 2017December 19, 2017 | Kat Thorsen

Last night, I had the pleasure of facilitating an introductory session to the Trout Lake Youth Council as part of the HELP YOUTH CANADA Outreach Project. I am using creative engagement in order to dialogue on EDUCATION with youth and program leaders at a variety of organizations in the Lower Mainland- to learn from the participants, gather data and to build connection and awareness about HELP YOUTH CANADA’s bursary program.

My main creative engagement tool for this project continues to be sock monkey making as a means to create safe space for dialogue– but last night, as it was a short intro session, we improvised and using only felt pens and crayons, speed-drew OWLS and then wrote answers to pertinent questions. I will be transcribing the outcomes, but needed to share these images right now! The owls from last night are absolutely charming.

The youth will be signing up for three different projects:

• Project Backpack

• Sock Monkey Workshop

• In-depths youth forum on education

I obsess about the power of drawing, the mark making by any of my participants and the beauty of the results. ALWAYS.

Huge thank you to Bernie Dionne and the council for hosting me and to my friend, Beverley, for assisting me!

TROUT LAKE YOUTH COUNCIL:

HELP YOUTH CANADA:

Williams Lake/ Punky Lake Summer 2016 Diary- Part 5: Day 3 Celebration

July 28, 2016June 19, 2019 | Kat Thorsen

Recall:

Preview

Part 1: Preparation

Part 2: Travel

Part 3: Art Camp Day 1

Part 4: Art Camp Day 2

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Part 5: Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society Summer 2016 Art Camp Day 3- Celebration

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Sitting here in my lovely hotel room organizing supplies and reflecting on this week…

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It was the final day of the art camp today. It was Punky Lake Wilderness Campy Society’s first ever art camp and I could not be more honored to have been able to facilitate it for the past three days.

We started the day with a beautiful OWL story and song from Elder Gary- speaking of our need to LISTEN and LEARN from animals for they are hurting too. He spoke of animals, in particular owls as messengers. I then led an owl drawing session- I loved that youth and adults alike dove right in using the techniques I have been sharing with them for the past couple of days! FAST and VORACIOUS learners!

A team of students then pasted the rest of the drawings (wheatpasting is delicious fun!). We were joined by photographer Rick Magnell who delivered print outs of his extraordinary portraits of the participants (blog post on Rick and his photography next week).

We pasted the photos in the midst of all the beautiful drawings and after a lovely lunch, spent time in circle reflecting and thanking each other.

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I was gifted a most beautiful drum that I will cherish for the rest of my life. There are no words to suffice to describe its beauty.

Elder Gary who shared so many empowering prayers, stories and songs this week infused my drum with his healing energy:

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I have fallen in love with these beautiful people, their hearts, minds, spirits, traditions- in love with the stunning Chilcotin landscape on which we created so much art work and made so many lovely connections and new friendships.

I look forward to gifting them all with hand drawn portraits. <3

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I want to thank and acknowledge the Toosey (Tl’esqox) and Tsihquot’in First Nations, Old School Training and Recreation Complex and Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society (Sarah Jackman, Samantha Dick, Bruce Baptiste, Ann Guichon) for hosting the Summer 2016 Art Camp. I also want to thank and acknowledge the chef, the photographer, the chaperones, youth workers and the participants!

Latest Inside Out Project prep at Intersections Media, Vancouver (March 2019)

Williams Lake/ Punky Lake Summer 2016 Diary- Part 3: Day 1

July 26, 2016July 26, 2016 | Kat Thorsen

Recall:

Preview

Part 1: Preparation

Part 2: Travel

Part 3: Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society Summer 2016 Art Camp Day 1

Executive Director Sarah Jackman picked me up this morning…

… and drove me through extraordinary scenery…

… to the Old School Training and Recreation Complex in Riske Creek.

First days are always about gaining trust and reading the room and getting a feel for the dynamic of the group. As this is a group art project that starts from scratch (the end goal is a collage wall of participant drawings), it may be hard for the students to understand what I have in mind. But these courageous and hilarious kids worked SO HARD! They created countless drawings and tomorrow we cut out the first batch and do a test wheatpaste.

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I was joined by Punky Lake staff and several chaperones (and I am very grateful for these individuals’ support and participation throughout the day.)

We started the morning with an introduction by Bruce Baptiste, followed by smudge, song and drumming by Elder Gary, and housekeeping rules (the kids are staying at the centre this week).

I introduced my drawing techniques with a raccoon drawing:

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We were joined by photographer Rick Magnell who took incredible pictures of the participants for both adding to the wall: JR style(!) and for references for me in order to gift everyone with handdrawn portraits! (These will be completed once I get home and mailed to Punky Lake!)

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We worked on a journaling technique and then drew anatomical hearts- definitely messy hands time and faces!

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We chose a wall and the day continued with personal drawings and doodles as well as an empowering body mind and spirit talk from Gary as students drew.

Sleep well kids!

Williams Lake/Punky Lake Summer 2016 Diary- Preview

July 22, 2016July 22, 2016 | Kat Thorsen

I leave on Monday for a new adventure! I’ll be facilitating a 3-day art immersion camp in Williams Lake with Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society.

Though I have a plan laid out and we have a goal- this will be a youth-led project, and no doubt the results will be surprising and magical!

I’ll be keeping a diary and will try to post at the end of each day. For now, here is a preview:

3-day intensive therapeutic art camp and mural project, Old Training and Recreation Complex

Lessons include:

Journaling, drawing lessons, portraiture, mind mapping, project planning, street art history, cultural exploration (imagery and identity), and wheatpasting!

Lifeskills covered:

Project planning, creative expression, problem solving, team building, self-esteem, personal exploration, cultural identity

Plan:

Day 1

Opening circle
Introduction to Kat
Intro to drawing techniques
Journaling
Choose location for mural
Mind mapping
Project planning
Begin project
Closing circle
Kat draws participant portraits

Day 2

Opening circle
Drawing warmup
Intro to the portrait techniques
Intro to street art
Make wheatpaste
Project process underway
Closing circle
Kat continues to draw participant portraits

Day 3

Opening circle
Drawing warmup
Full portrait drawing techniques
Add portraits to wall
Mural project completion
Celebration
Closing circle

1468798_10154171173425094_7445699337535169749_n — Parmida. Photo by Megan Quigley

FRAMES FILM PROJECT INTAKE 8 GRAD MARCH 28, 2015!

March 17, 2015March 17, 2015 | Kat Thorsen

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 me as we honor our Intake 8 grads!

FREE ADMISSION, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

RSVP ON EVENTBRITE: LINK

An incredible group of dedicated youth are in the process of completing public service announcements for:

H.E.L.P. Street Youth

The H.E.L.P. for Street Youth Scholarship Fund offers funds to qualifying youth to attend school (trade, vocational etc.) leading to successful employment.

and

North Shore Restorative Justice Society- Circles in Schools

Circles in Schools is a strengths-based program that gives our children and youth the skills to transform conflict, heal relationships, and create stronger communities themselves.

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We just completed a full weekend of filming and now we head into editing mode!

11020300_10205276499865196_1517639127_n — Photo by Jeffrey Lyons. “Frames mascot for filming with “Circles in School” a community volunteer group that help at risk youth have a safe place!” (horse owned by Jennifer Chow, who is creating a short film, premiering at the Grad, entitled, “I only draw horses from the left…”

H.E.L.P. STORYBOARD 2 — Storyboard by Shauna Chin

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Frames Film Project is a Vancouver-based film production and life skills program that provides opportunities for youth to learn the basics of filmmaking in a supportive, safe and fun environment, at no cost.

Next intake: MAY 2015

Huge thank you to:

my co-faciltators, Kryshan Randel and Jennifer Lyons

our supervisor Shawna Smith and director Gary Dobbin

our volunteer Katie Bennison

our guest speakers

our clients, Cara Sinclair and Lindy Pfeil

our funders

our actor, Elijah Snakeskin

and

Intake 8 youth:

Christina Capilano

Jennifer Chow

Aleister Gwynne

Jeffrey Lyons

Shauna Chin

Sves Yeung

Nina Vestergaard

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Frames Film Project is brought to you by

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Intake 8 is possible through the generous support from:

Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch: Ministry of Justice

and

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

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Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey, Mountainside Pilot Project Week 5 of 5

October 29, 2014January 5, 2015 | Kat Thorsen

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 HERO, STREET ARTIST JR:

The beauty of an art project is that you cannot always measure the impact, but one day it can become clear.
– JR

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We just completed a school photo shoot and will be looking at the images tomorrow. It’s been a glorious few weeks. Creating art pieces, diving into photography, exploring self-empowerment, watching and discussing pertinent TED Talks, journaling, bonding, connecting. The core team will now explore the option of creating a documentary about the project as we hope to build the program throughout the year.

Art is not supposed to change the world, to change practical things, but to change perceptions. Art can change the way we see the world. Art can create an analogy. – JR

1800256_10205260869663446_7462425514640025068_n

The power of paper and glue… – JR

Can art change the world? Maybe… we should change the question: Can art change people’s lives? – JR

Art is not meant to change the world, but when you see people interacting, when you see an impact on their lives, then I guess in a smaller way, this is changing the world. So, that’s what I believe in. That’s why I’m into creating more and more interactions. – JR

Recalling the creation of the mural “Destiny Manifesting.” #youthart

July 6, 2014July 16, 2014 | Kat Thorsen

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 of our interpretation! Thanks one and all who contributed to the piece!

On October 28, 2011, the mural was donated to YOUTHCO.

Check out the Intersections Media Opportunities for Youth Society Indiegogo campaign:

HELP YOUTH PAINT!

Please help us double our goal!

Wounded angel. Haavoittunut Enkeli. #custodyart

November 26, 2013November 26, 2013 | Kat Thorsen

WOUNDED ANGEL, 2008 [by “Steph” and “Vincent”]

This unframed painting on raw canvas (65″ x 76″) was made during my therapeutic art classes at a youth custody centre. Read below to find out its creation.

Many of the youth I currently work with are involved with the juvenile justice system in one way or another. I LOVED my time volunteering at Burnaby Youth Custody Centre in 2006-2008. It started with the “Friday Art Class,” then it turned into the “Friday Art Classes,” then “Monday, Wednesday, Friday” etc. etc.! The residents taught me so much of the healing power of art and that there are no bad kids, just bad decisions.

I had only one rule: NO CENSORSHIP while in my art class, and it really is a powerful rule. Allowing free expression fosters camaraderie. Art is also a tool to educate the youth on conflict resolution and to act as a way to practice restorative justice.

Restorative justice fosters dialogue between victim and offender shows the highest rates of victim satisfaction and offender accountability. – Wikipedia

A particular incident led to an unusual relationship between two residents. A young woman and young man (in their mid teens) had had an altercation over the issue “snitching.” The staff had requested they not be allowed to participate in my art classes as a form of “punishment.” I asked that instead of feeding the tension by denying them art sessions, I work with them together. The staff graciously accepted my request. “Steph” and “Vincent” went on to form a deep bond as they created together. They produced a number of astounding large paintings.

It was an EXTRAORDINARY experience for all of us.

This painting was created after “Steph” returned to custody broken and worn-down by an unsuccessful release. “Vincent” was very interested in art history and inspired by the original painting “Haavoittunut Enkeli” by Finnish artist Hugo Simberg, he suggested that he and “Steph” work on a new large piece together to represent helping “Steph” recover and embracing her without judgment.

For more custody art, go to: http://klasssockmonkey.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/custody-art-and-art-therapy-healingpowerofart-corrections/
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Now for sale on ESTY:

PROCEEDS SUPPORTS SOCK MONKEY THERAPY WITH AT-RISK YOUTH, VANCOUVER BC

Saying Thank You through #streetart #wheatpaste

August 18, 2012August 20, 2012 | Kat Thorsen

This post is dedicated to all the staff and students of Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary School

Alicia and I began the process of saying thank you and goodbye to a special place by covering it with our art… This building will be torn down.

This is where I worked with so many incredible students and staff. New chapters have started for everyone. But it felt important for Alicia and I to go back. We are following a call to add to the dialogue. This is just a small start:

See more about our wheatpaste art:

China Marker Bowie and other portraits

Portrait: Jacqueline

Latest updates

This is how we do it

Once it’s up, let it go

Something this fun has got to be illegal!

Beauty in the deterioration…

Joe Average

Wide-eyed with a twist of the lips

Mia More in the morning

While I stand on the roadway…

Walking the streets of dreams

Evolution of a wheatpaste: Justine

Beauty in the deterioration Part 2

Do you know what it takes…?

We’ve gone national!

The Social Life hits the streets!

Walking the streets of dreams wall is growing

Fierce beauty: Cassandra and Shokra

Smith, K. (2007) The Guerilla Art Kit, New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press

Pouring my soul into a physical form… Emerging young artist: Amanda-Lynn Woodworth

August 2, 2012August 2, 2012 | Kat Thorsen

580956_10151107451175987_159184137_n — Photo by Nancy Kirkpatrick

When I draw it feels almost like pouring my soul into a physical form and charcoal pours the best. – Amanda-Lynn

Film by Amanda-Lynn at Intersections Media

The paintings of Alicia Love- fierce young talent ready for the world! #youthart #arttherapy

July 6, 2011May 16, 2013 | Kat Thorsen

TO PURCHASE SPECIFIC WORK BY ALICIA YOU SEE HERE, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT: Email

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I have written about Alicia Love before:

INTRODUCING ALICIA LOVE

THE MAGNIFICENT EYE-BIRDS OF ALICIA

NEW WORK BY ALICIA LOVE

Today we did a photo-shoot of her current catalogue! (Click on the images for larger views.)

Just as she was an integral part of my pullout art program at Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary School.

Today’s highlights:

I am in the process of arranging a youth art exhibit. Stay tuned! In the meantime, you can buy some of Alicia’s work on my online store! More items will be posted soon:

I am so pleased to bear witness to the evolution of this young artist!

Introducing the beautiful work of young artist, Alicia Love

April 28, 2011April 28, 2011 | Kat Thorsen

I originally introduced Alicia Love on my art therapy site. Go to: THE MAGNIFICENT EYE-BIRDS OF ALICIA. Alicia is one of my pilot project students for my YOUTH ARTISANS site on ETSY.

Alicia stands out amongst all the talented young artists that I have worked with. She has a unique and natural approach to her painting that needs to be left undisturbed, yet Alicia will rise to a challenge to adapt and problem solve in any art medium. Her fragile beauty and strong spirit shine through in her work.

I am so honored to introduce and to exhibit her work at my next art event in June (details to come)!

Here are some previews:

You can support Alicia by purchasing her work on my ETSY site. These 4 small pieces are currently for sale:

Maturity in youth- the profound art of Maryellen #youthartisan #arttherapy

March 2, 2011August 9, 2011 | Kat Thorsen

Young artist, Maryellen Groundwater, shows a maturity and mastery that is profound. I am honored to play a small role in her artistic development. As I write on my ETSY site where you can buy her piece “Flowers”, she uses her art not only for creative expression, but for dealing with anxiety. Her quiet demeanour is contradictory to her powerful presence on canvas or paper.