Registrations now open
Youth Arts Action
Youth Arts Action offers visual arts programming for youth 12 to 18 years old in diverse communities in Calgary. The program goes beyond art classes, shifting the focus is on providing a safe space for youth to express and reflect on society, community and emotional topics.
Current Programming
Over the summer, our program will delve into the power of art for social change through exploring different art styles that were prevalent or emerged during each decade starting with the 1960s. Through hands-on activities, discussions, and reflections, youth will learn about the role of art in addressing social issues, self-expression and fostering positive change within their community. The cumulative event will be an open house where youth will come together to explore new styles of creativity alongside other Antyx Programs.
Register Here
Celebrating Diversity
About the Facilitator
Sara
My name is Sara Monadizadeh, a Calgary-based freelance illustrator/graphic designer and visual art instructor with a multicultural background and expertise in custom and character illustration.
With a Master’s degree in Illustration from the University of Art in Tehran, I bring a unique mixed media technique and strong background in conceptualsurrealistic style to my work.
Emotional management, hopes and wishes
About the Facilitator
Jessica
Hi! My name is Jessica, I am a tattoo artist, creative educator, and comic creator living in Airdrie, AB, with my husband and two small children.
I was born in Toronto, Ontario and as a child lived with different blended families across the provinces. I found myself drawn to the arts early on as a way to deal with the instability of my upbringing- music and drawing gave me purpose and peace.
The intention of benefiting both youth and the community will be prevalent through the focus on Social Emotional Learning development and community art engagement.
Youth Arts Action is offered in 3 different locations on 3 different days! There are 15 spots available per location. See above for details.
Programming Weekly Schedule
Session 1: Welcome and Introductions
In this session, participants will explore the basics of photography while engaging in social-emotional learning (SEL) activities. They will introduce themselves through photographs, participate in a photo treasure hunt, discuss the elements of a good photograph in relation to emotions and belonging, and create digital collages and mood boards.
Session 2: Black and White and Color Theory
In this session, participants will explore black and white photography with a focus on expression through shadows and textures. They will use various materials to create unique scenes representing emotions. Additionally, they will learn about color theory, including analogue and contrasting colors, and use this knowledge to express specific emotions through their photography.
Session 3: Minimalism and the Psychology of Photography
In this session, participants will explore the concept of minimalism in photography, focusing on the idea that “less is more.” They will learn about the psychology behind photography, including how angles and shot types can convey different emotions and perspectives. Participants will create an emotion collage using angles and techniques, and discuss social-emotional learning (SEL) topics such as inclusion and belonging. The session will conclude with an introduction to the final project, where participants will choose a prop and think about an emotion they want to convey in their final piece.
Session 5: Visual Storytelling
In this session, participants will learn how to convey a story through their photographs. They will explore the elements of visual storytelling and how to use their cameras to communicate narratives. The session will include an activity where participants find images online to create a visual sequence and a practical exercise in creating their own photographic series. Social-emotional learning (SEL) themes such as understanding and expressing emotions through visual stories will be emphasized.
Session 6: Exploring Discrimination and Working on the Final Project
In this session, participants will explore the themes of discrimination, inclusion, and diversity through visual storytelling. They will begin working on their final project, focusing on how to use their chosen prop to convey a meaningful narrative. Participants will reflect on what matters to them and learn how to give human-like qualities to their prop to evoke emotions in viewers. This session will also cover planning a visual story, including technical aspects like composition, colors, illumination, and angles.
Session 7: Preparing Our Exhibition
In this session, participants will take the photographs for their final project using the props and plans they developed in Session 6. They will then compile their images into a cohesive presentation using Canva or PowerPoint to see how the images relate to each other. Participants will also consider adding additional assets to their exhibition, such as music, smells, and lights, to enhance the viewer’s experience and convey their story more powerfully.
Session 8: Photography Art Exhibit
In this final session, participants will present their completed photography projects in a formal exhibit. Each participant will have the opportunity to talk about their piece and showcase their work to the group. The session will conclude with a celebratory pizza party and farewells, providing a fun and memorable end to the program.
Session 8: Photography Art Exhibit
In this final session, participants will present their completed photography projects in a formal exhibit. Each participant will have the opportunity to talk about their piece and showcase their work to the group. The session will conclude with a celebratory pizza party and farewells, providing a fun and memorable end to the program.
Session 8: Photography Art Exhibit
In this final session, participants will present their completed photography projects in a formal exhibit. Each participant will have the opportunity to talk about their piece and showcase their work to the group. The session will conclude with a celebratory pizza party and farewells, providing a fun and memorable end to the program.
Week 1: Introduction to Identity
During the first week, youth will explore the concept of identity by creating a “Who Am I?” collage that represents their individual identities. This activity encourages participants to reflect on their unique traits, experiences, and interests while using a variety of art materials. Engaging in this creative process fosters self-awareness and personal expression, allowing youth to articulate their thoughts and feelings
Week 2: Self-Portraits
In the second week, youth will explore the concept of self-identity through the creation of self- portraits. This activity encourages participants to reflect on how they see themselves and how they wish to present themselves to the world. They will be guided to use various artistic mediums, such as drawing, painting to create their self-portraits. The process promotes self- awareness and allows them to express their unique perspectives visually. Additionally, the act of creating a self-portrait fosters initiative as youth take charge of their artistic expression and engage in problem solving as they decide how best to represent themselves
Week 3: Personal Narratives
During the third week, youth will focus on personal narratives as a means of expression. They will create comic strips that illustrate short stories from their lives, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in shaping identity. This exercise encourages creative thinking and problem solving as participants figure out how to visually convey their narratives. The mediums for this activity will include pens, colored pencils, markers, and mixed-media papers.
Week 4: Social Issues and Identity
In the fourth week, participants will connect personal identity with social issues through art.
They will create posters addressing social issues relevant to their identities, exploring how these
issues intersect with their lives. This activity promotes critical thinking and encourages youth to
articulate their perspectives on societal challenges. The mediums for this week will involve
poster board 18 x 24, markers, crayons and mixed media materials.
Week 5: Exploring Identity Layers
The fifth week will focus on the concept of identity objects and how they influence personal experiences. Youth will create three-dimensional identity objects using air-dry clay to represent different facets of their identities, such as cultural heritage, interests, values, and significant life experiences. Participants can design an object that holds personal meaning, such as a symbolic representation of their culture, a hobby they are passionate about, or an experience that has shaped them. This activity encourages critical thinking as they examine the complexities of their identities and how these objects reflect their unique stories.
Week 6: Emotions and Art
During the sixth week, Participants will examine how emotions shape their identities through artistic expression while preparing for their final project. They will create abstract pieces using watercolor, brushes, and 9 x 12 watercolor papers to represent specific emotions, which will contribute to their overall final project showcasing their identities through art. Clear expectations will be communicated regarding how these pieces will fit into the final presentation. This activity encourages emotional regulation and creativity.
Week 7: Community Identity
In the seventh week, youth will explore the role of community in shaping identity while collaborating on their final project. They will work together to create a mural or collective art piece using acrylic paints, which will be integrated into their final showcase. The project will emphasize how individual contributions reflect the community’s diversity
Week 8: Identity Through Time
In the eighth week, participants will create visual timelines that outline significant moments and experiences shaping their personal growth as part of their final project. These timelines will be included in their showcase, highlighting their individual journeys and how their identities have evolved. They will use large sheets of paper, markers, and a variety of drawing tools to map out these significant moments. Instead of relying on pre-made stickers, they will draw their own symbolic icons and illustrations to represent these key experiences. This activity combines visual elements with written reflections, allowing participants to express how their identities have developed over time. The process encourages self-reflection, creativity, and emotional expression
Week 9: Celebrating Diversity
In the ninth week, youth will celebrate the rich diversity within the group by creating a collaborative mosaic art piece that will be part of their final project showcased in Week 10. Participants will use accessible materials such as paints, recycled paper, and natural elements like leaves and flowers, which will be arranged and adhered to 12 x 16 canvas boards or frames. Each person will contribute their unique perspective, combining their artistic expressions to create a vibrant mosaic representing their diverse backgrounds and identities. This hands-on activity fosters teamwork and collaboration while encouraging meaningful conversations about individuality and community
Week 10: Open House and Reflection
During the final week, participants will prepare for an open house event to showcase their artwork, including the visual timelines and collaborative mosaic created in previous weeks. They will discuss their experiences throughout the program, focusing on personal growth and the power of art as a tool for social change. Clear expectations will be set for what each participant will present, including their artistic process, reflections on their identity journey, and insights gained from the program. The closing circle will encourage sharing experiences and celebrating achievements, providing an opportunity for youth to articulate their learning.
Week 1: 1960s Pop Art
During the first week, youth will dive into the vibrant world of Pop Art, a significant art movement that emerged in the 1960s. They will learn about artists of the time who used popular culture imagery and bold techniques to challenge traditional notions of art. The art activity for this week will involve creating their own Pop Art-inspired pieces, using bright colors and iconic imagery from popular culture.
Week 2: 1970s Tie Dye
This week youth will explore the colorful and expressive art form of Tie Dye, which gained popularity during the early 1970s. They will discover the history and techniques behind Tie Dye, including different folding and dyeing methods. The art activity for this week will involve creating their own Tie Dye designs on fabric or clothing, experimenting with vibrant colors and patterns.
Week 3: 1980s Graffiti Art Style
Youth will dive into the world of Graffiti Art, which emerged as a powerful form of self-expression in the 1980s. They will learn about the origins of graffiti and its evolution into a recognized art form. The art activity for this week is creating graffiti-style artworks on canvas. Youth will have the opportunity to explore how graffiti can be a powerful tool to articulate ideas for change. Today’s session will invite youth to explore a social issue or a personal form of expression to convey in their art piece.
Week 4: 1990s Cartoons and Anime Influences
In today’s session youth will explore the colorful and imaginative world of cartoons and anime, which played a significant role in popular culture during the 1990s. They will examine iconic characters and their influence on society. The art activity for this week is creating their own cartoon or anime characters or illustrations inspired by their favorite cartoons. Youth will create their art piece on 9×12 mixed media paper utilizing markers and colored pencils that suit the expression of their character.
Week 5: 2000s Installation Art Explore through Sculpting
This week youth will explore the captivating world of installation art by exploring the medium of plaster sculpting. Installation art offers a unique and immersive experience, transforming spaces into thought-provoking environments. By working with plaster, youth will create a miniature three-dimensional sculpture of what they would create if they were creating an installation piece. The intention is to explore how powerful installation art can be as a form of communication and as a catalyst for social change.
Week 6: 2010s Renewed Popularity of Minimalism
Today’s session will be an exploration in the form of minimalist art, while it has been present for several decades there was a renewed popularity in the 2010s. Minimalism focuses on simplicity, utilizing clean lines, geometric shapes and a limited color palette. This art style often conveys a sense of tranquility, emphasizing the beauty of simplicity and the reduction of elements to their essential form. Youth will take an image they resonate with and scale it down to its most basic form of creation on 5×7 mixed media paper with the use of ink, marker and colored pencils, using simple shapes and lines that invoke the essence of the image.
Week 7: 2020s Summer Wrap Up
This cumulating open house event will provide an opportunity for youth to celebrate their own artistic expression and how it relates to the modern world. Youth will have the opportunity to rotate through the various Antyx Programs and celebrate the artistic expression of contemporary times. Bridging all the programs together will invite a cross-communal environment where youth can learn and engage with youth and facilitators from different Antyx programs.
Week 8: Zine Completion- Celebrating Unity and Diversity
In this week’s session youth will finalize their contributions to the Youth Arts Action Zine. This celebratory week emphasizes the completion of the communal project that will be available for the community and at the Youth Zine Workshop Night. This Zine will highlight the diversity of voices within the group and the unity achieved through artistic collaboration.
Week 9: Gelli Plate Printing: Unveiling the layers of Expression
This week youth will explore the layers of identity through gelli printing with acrylics. Gelli printing is a unique technique that involves creating captivating prints using a gelatin plate. Youth will explore the endless possibilities of this medium experimenting with color, texture and layering to bring their creative vision to life. As we prepare for the upcoming Zine Workshop, youth will transform their prints into vibrant collage elements to contribute for their peers to use in their zines. Today’s session invites youth to create something of meaning to their individual identity and share it with fellow youth across the city.
Week 10: Youth Workshop Zine Night
In the final session of this program cycle youth will come together for a Youth Workshop Zine Night where they will create zines that express their individual identity. The event will be open to any youth, age 12-18 in the city including the participants of Youth Arts Action. The communal event will invite youth to showcase their individual identity and foster a sense of belonging among peers. Additionally, the Youth Arts Action Collaborative Zine will be on display and available for viewing at the event.
Programming Weekly Schedule
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