With special guest artist Genesis Tramaine
On Friday, June 2nd 2023 from 4-6 pm CICA Vancouver will host 30 students from across the Vancouver School Board for a 2-hour art lesson and gallery visit taught by internationally renowned artist Genesis Tramaine. This event will be free of charge and the opportunity to register will be provided to all schools across the VSB for students in grades 8-10. There are no prerequisites to participate in this event besides interest. The main objectives of this event are:
- Building confidence and self-esteem: The art lesson aims to create a supportive environment where students can feel encouraged to take risks, explore their creativity, and develop confidence in their artistic abilities.
- Exploring intersectionality in art: Students will have the opportunity to explore how an artist’s intersecting identities influence their artistic practice and the themes they explore, promoting a deeper understanding of the complexities of identity and representation.
- Exploring personal creativity: The lesson aims to encourage students to tap into their own unique artistic voices, fostering self-expression and creative exploration through hands-on activities and guidance from Genesis Tramaine.
- Developing artistic skills: Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice various artistic techniques under the guidance of a renowned artist, helping them enhance their technical abilities and creative expression.
- Addressing social issues and promoting social justice: Learning from a queer black artist can provide a platform for discussing and addressing social issues related to identity, discrimination, and inequality, encouraging students to use art as a tool for social change and promoting social justice.
- Nurturing cultural appreciation: Engaging with the artwork and teachings of Genesis Tramain can foster an appreciation for diverse cultural expressions and artistic traditions, expanding students’ understanding of art beyond mainstream narratives.
About Thrive Youth
Our mission is to create safe and supportive spaces where children and youth can explore creative expression, learn about themselves and the world around them, and develop the skills and confidence needed to create positive change in their lives and their communities. Thrive works with children from grades 4 through 12, With three main programs: Learn Create Explore is designed for kids 9-12 and provides in-class workshops where students develop and exercise the fundamental skills of leadership: communication, self-expression, self-regulation, collaboration/ teamwork, time management, conflict resolution, problem-solving and critical thinking. Build to Change is developed for youth ages 12-15 and focuses on connecting art and social change. Throughout the semester students discuss ideas of identity, community, empathy, accountability, and reciprocity. The implicit goal is to get the youth thinking about how art can be a part of social change, and also how to make art in responsible, anti-oppressive ways. The explicit goal is to create a space for youth to do art and learn art skills while creating a foundation for youth to discuss social issues that matter to them. Youth-Led Impact is a free after-school program for youth ages 14-18 to work alongside a team of other young people who want to make a difference in their community using the arts.