GAEA Conference Fall 2024

Meet at the bottom of the ramp in the Atrium at the High

In this workshop, we will sit with some of the work in the High Museum galleries. The practice will improve your ability to use art as a form of meditation which will in turn improve your artwork. This practice is both relaxing and helps you identify to direction your artwork needs to take. **Supplies needed are minimal. Just a sketchbook, pencil, and open mind are all that is needed.**

For a family-friendly Earth Day activity at the local art museum, students in a Museum Studies course planned a papermaking activity that incorporated eco-friendly recycled paper and native Georgia wildflower seeds to create seed paper and seed bombs that children of all ages could enjoy making and later planting at home. Learn about the process of making seed paper and seed bombs to share with your students, and take home your own samples that you've created!

The workshop begins with a step-by-step guide on preparing paper for artistic use. Participants learn techniques such as staining, texturing, and priming to enhance the paper's surface for different mediums.With a focus on mixed media, drawing, painting, and even embroidery, attendees discover innovative ways to elevate their creative expression even when traditional canvases or quality watercolor paper aren't readily available.

This presentation will delve into the integral role of arts education in fostering literacy skills among students. By exploring the connections between visual arts and literacy, we aim to demonstrate how art classrooms serve as rich environments for nurturing reading, writing, thinking, communication, and creativity. Through research findings and practical examples, we will showcase the transformative power of art education in improving literacy rates and enhancing overall academic achievement.

“We Want To Do More Than Survive” We want to do more than survive is the title of the best seller written by Bettina Love. Her research centers around the study of the inequalities in the educational system. The ability to have the difficult conversation about the shortcomings of the educational system regarding minority students and their failing hopes and dreams. The discussion and hands on activities allow space for anyone who wishes to make a genuine change in our current systemic failures. The activities and discussion invite participants to engage in the journey toward healing, justice and revolution. Examination of both We Want To Do More Than Survive and Punished for Dreaming is an invitation to listen, critique, heal, and fight for the schools and world we deserve. This opportunity provides space for reflection, rage, sorrow, dreams, and questions.Difficult discussions encourage you to feel, think deeply, and engage in meaningful dialogue and action. To address the inclusion aspect more specifically, We will also examine how neurodivergent children are valued and seen. The goal is for participants to leave with a renewed sense of hope and ideas to address equity, diversity, and inclusion in their personal lives and educational forums shedding the fear of having those difficult conversations that foster systemic change.

Using contemporary works of art as starting points, learn how you and your students can visualize data using a variety of sculpture materials, including basket reed, yarn, paper and wire. Participants will create small assemblage sculptures using a variety of media after learning strategies for visualizing data in creative ways.

Discover a new twist (or stitch!) to mixed-media collage. An introduction to basic collage techniques -- combining paper and found materials with drawing and painting -- is followed by the additional element of stitching and embellishing. Participants will explore abstract and narrative compositions while experimenting with the opportunity to mix materials in surprising ways. Opportunities for differentiation to include all grade and skill levels is an important element of the workshop. Participants will create their own small canvas mixed-media artwork.

For over 30 years, Cosplay has been an avenue of connection and creativity for fans of media, anime, movies, video games, theatre and pop culture. Across the world, cosplayers gather at conventions to show off incredible handmade costumes that feature robotics, metalwork, sculpture and sewing. Cosplay can offer an enjoyable and inclusive experience for students of all ages, fostering self-expression and camaraderie. Learn the basics of EVA foam, thermoplastics, mold making and more!