I’ll start each workshop with a slide show of my personal journey into the arts. This will start from my entrance into the arts back in high school where I was guided away from the arts by guidance counselors and administration. I’ve found this to be helpful to mention as many students can relate to this. My entrance into the arts started in ceramics and has led me to Mould Making, Metal Casting, Fiber & Silversmithing. I’ll discuss how perseverance, determination, hard work, and elbow grease has awarded me with scholarships, grants, shows, and teaching opportunities that enable me to travel to craft schools and residencies to continue making work. I’ll show the evolution of my work and include photos of in-process works from different studios throughout the years. This introduction will last about 30 minutes concluding with 15 minutes of questions. I’ll continue with about 20 minutes of demonstrations and disperse materials for hands-on building. At this point, I’ll make my rounds to meet with each student and troubleshoot their project ideas and the best way to construct them. I’ll call the class over to discuss which method of building would be best depending on the desired outcome as there is no one way to make something. Program Descriptions Workshop 1: Personification of an Object First steps into the world of Abstract art by warping reality one object at a time. Students are prompted to give humanistic features/characteristics to inanimate objects to create something that’s never existed before. Workshop 2: Re-Create Everyday Objects Students will be asked to bring in 3-5 everyday objects. We’ll discuss different methods of construction, play with scale, and explore the surface through color and texture. Refrain from bringing in objects that are made out of ceramic materials. Workshop 3: Large Forms inspired by the Ancient World and Today This workshop focuses on giving students the necessary skills to create large vessels. Students will be asked to find references of Vessels from Ancient Egypt, China, Mesopotamia, or contemporary artists. -hand-building on a larger scale helps beginner students quickly adapt to the properties of clay and respond to the material quicker than something small. This method of construction [coil-building] is the oldest method of building with clay, allows for lots of adjustments to form and scale for a beginner student, causes you to be attentive to the material. -Discuss the benefits of hand-building and the freedom/ability to build in a gestural way, why this is helpful. -Ask students to choose or draw a silhouette to mimic for their vessel – A blueprint/reference photo is VITAL to making a successful shape, make this mandatory, this will help assist them in achieving the shape they want to. -brief demo on darting– show them how to edit a shape that’s not going in the direction (shape-wise) that they’re going for. Workshop 4: Advanced Techniques Ask students to make an object (sculptural or functional) using the extruder and slab roller. These can be very gestural, architectural, or realistic. -Demo how to construct a form using slabs slumping/wrapping/template techniques (cut-outs slipped and scored together) -Emphasize that the appearance of the object will be determined by what method of construction students wish to use (explain and show examples of architectural vs. gestural, organic vs geometric forms, etc.) -Demo how to use an extruder and how to attach extruded shapes securely together/to the form. Clay & tools can be provided for an additional fee.

The SO Fun Gameshow - Promote Inclusion & Decrease Bullying through FUN and Community! (Also options for The SO Lit Gameshow - Literacy Learning through Fun!) AS SEEN ON NEWS12 and at hundreds of the top summer camps and schools! A program that wows and builds togetherness! With the look and feel of a big-budget TV show, your students become the next contestants on this high-energy game show. We bring a big TV set to your school with moving lights, cameras, TV screens, and hilarious props that get EVERYONE working together. "The excitement and engagement you are able to do with the kids just blows me away." - Arthritis Foundation "I've seen so many school assemblies over my years in education and you are by far, the BEST!" -Sara Cohen, Principal The Churchill School NYC Students will work as a Team to unlock answers and complete zany challenges. Developed by a writer from The Carbonaro Effect, Voice Actor who originated the role of Boots on Dora, and a Behavior Analyst, this gameshow is unlike anything your students have ever seen! Students will have fun, build teamwork and confidence, and learn cool facts along the way. This program was developed by SO Fun City an organization that specializes in inclusive programming! www.SOFunCity.com

Make the arts come alive for your students. Syracuse Stage’s education programs are a great way to inspire learning and connect with hearts and minds of all ages. From fully staged productions to targeted in-school performances, our educational offerings support and enhance language arts, social studies, history, STEM and art curricula. Custom in school workshops are available on multiple topics.

Buffalo Comedy Collective is Western New York’s home for improv comedy! Our offerings break down into three major sections: - Performances: Our mainstage show is Comedysportz, an all-ages improvisational comedy show played as a sport. This high energy short-form improv show has two teams of professional comedians improvising games, songs, jokes, and scenes while a referee calls fouls and fields suggestions from you, our loyal fans. Loyal fans will vote for which team they like best and Mx Voice will declare an ultimate winner for the evening! Best of all, this show uses humor that is appropriate for people of any age. We're clean enough for your kids to enjoy and funny enough to have adults laughing out loud. - Education: We offer workshops that help students connect, open up, and laugh! These interactive sessions have students up & moving while being creative, working together, and learning the importance of support through positivity. Workshops can be held as individual focus groups, combined with a performance, or set-up as an interactive, informal performance where the focus is on getting as many participants involved that are interested. - Professional development: The fun isn't only for kids! Improv helps to develop comfortability in public speaking, enhance communication skills, improve active listening & adaptability, and boost creativity. Studies have shown that improv also helps to reduce anxiety, stress, and uncertainty intolerance, making these skills useful in both a private & workplace setting.

How to Live Mentally Well and Crush it During Difficult Times In this session, based, in part, on stories from his i’Mpossible Project book series, author and youth mental health specialist, Josh Rivedal talks about his school days in a format that’s visceral and creates an emotional connection between students and the powerful message that it’s okay to talk about mental health and that it’s possible to live mentally well during difficult times. Josh will cover: what mental health is and is not, coping skills, what depression and anxiety is and how we can cope with either or both, how to reframe failure, how to help oneself or a friend if in a mental health breakdown, and finding and cultivating hope during difficult times.

Sculpture/ Written Word Residency In this residency, students will work with multi-media artist Erin Eckler to construct poetry or a creative writing piece that will be transcribed onto a sculpture that visually illustrates their writing. The sculptural element will be constructed using recycled materials ranging from fiber to paper. The first half of sessions will guide the student to begin creating their written work while learning techniques for breaking down and reforming the recycled materials. The second half of sessions will be supporting the constructing of their sculptural pieces while fine tuning their poetry and prose. The students will be taught hand sewing, weaving, 3D construction, collage, and how to deconstruct recycled materials for use. Resident artist will provide technical support and problem solving as needed while the students construct their pieces.

Amapola Arts Bilingual, Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Art Education: Where Culture Meets Creativity! Amapola Arts is a bilingual, family-run art studio co-founded by Hector (Nino) Morales and Dr. Gliset C. Morales. Based in Kenmore-Tonawanda, NY, the studio specializes in on- and off-site art classes and culturally and linguistically responsive workshops that engage learners of all ages through canvas painting, pottery, photography, and mixed media. Rooted in Puerto Rican, Afro-Caribbean, and Taíno cultural traditions, Amapola Arts creates space for youth to explore identity, express themselves creatively, and build community. Programs are grounded in the Windows and Mirrors framework, helping students see themselves reflected in their work while gaining insight into cultures beyond their own. Offerings for P–12 Schools, Afterschool Programs & Community Organizations: On or Off-Site Art Classes & Workshops – Canvas Painting – Hand-building Pottery – Photography & Visual Storytelling – Mixed Media Projects Potter’s wheel experiences available for on-site sessions at the studio. Programs can be booked as single-day sessions, multi-week series, and summer or after-school enrichment. Inclusive, Culturally Responsive Curriculum Sample themes include: – Nature, symbolism, and visual storytelling – Celebrating multilingual heritage and family culture – Art as a tool for advocacy and connection – Identity, belonging, and creative expression. All Materials & Bilingual Instruction Provided. Amapola Arts brings all supplies and handles setup—just provide the space. Customizable to Your Needs Programs are adaptable by age group, schedule, theme, and budget. In addition to partnering with schools and organizations, Amapola Arts also offers bilingual classes and community events at its Tonawanda studio. Learn more at www.amapolaarts.com or reach out to glisetmorales@amapolaarts.com to begin planning a workshop!

For PreK-6th Grade: Tri-Cities Opera Opera invites you to the farm, where most of the animals like things to be ‘normal and pretty’–not noisy or different! When the new ducklings hatch, there is one ‘ugly duckling’ who doesn’t fit in with the others and spends her days reading by herself. But when a big, bad wolf comes on the scene, it will take someone like the ugly duckling–who has learned about big, bad wolves in her stories–to outwit him and teach the whole farm about the value of being true to yourself. Named as a nod to Binghamton’s famous carousels, Opera-Go-Round has been delivering the excitement of a fully-staged children’s opera to schools throughout New York State and northern Pennsylvania for nearly 50 years. Students engage with our singers and pianist to explore this unique art form with stories connected to curriculum standards and take away valuable social-emotional learning lessons. The program includes a 35-minute performance and 15-minute question and answer session with the Opera-Go-Round team. Dates are available from late September 2024 through May 2025. Contact ogr@tricitiesopera.org for more information or to schedule your performance! Cost: $1,400 within 50 miles of TCO Opera Center, $1,500 over 50 miles from TCO Opera Center. For Middle & High School Groups: TCO is excited to offer free tickets for your group to attend any of our mainstage productions. The Magic Flute (Sept 6 & 8, 2024) is an abridged version of a Mozart favorite. All Is Calm (Nov 15, 16, & 17, 2024) tells the story of the WWI Christmas truce. A Grand Night for Singing (Mar 8, 2025) includes favorites from Rogers and Hammerstein. Rigoletto (Apr 27, 2025) will be a grand version of a Verdi masterpiece. Contact operations@tricitiesopera.org to reserve your bloc of seats!

The program involves creating movement plays. Experimental Dance Theatre.

Our dynamic programming includes three unforgettable, interactive assemblies as well as a lifesaving skills workshop series M.A.C.H.O. Assembly – My Actions Can Help Others A high-energy kindness and empathy assembly that inspires students to be everyday superheroes by showing compassion and helping others. Strength of Body, Strength of Mind A motivational fitness and wellness assembly that promotes strength of body and mind through real-life story of former Mr. America, Dan Lurie told by his grandson. Water Safety Education Assembly An engaging and informative program that teaches kids how to stay safe in oceans, pools, and lakes, featuring the popular “Dress Like a Lifeguard” relay. Additionally, we offer our hands on Life-Saving Skills Workshop Series for grades 3 and up, where students learn: Hands-Only CPR (Adult, Child, and Infant) Heimlich Maneuver (Adult, Child, and Infant) Water Safety or Allergy Awareness

Tay Fisher's Path To Greatness presentation will cover his life story growing up in an inner city in Kingston NY. He is one of the few athletes from Kingston to receive a full athletic scholarship to Siena College. His success in college led him to over 70 countries while playing with the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters. The game of basketball has taught him so much that will help younger students on their path to greatness (athletes and non athletes). Tay will connect in ways that will make everyone in attendance feel inspired. This presentation will cover the following topics: Perseverance, working hard to be successful, overcoming life obstacles and failures, setting college and career goals, respecting other cultures and more while using images, videos and personal experiences in his PowerPoint to capture their attention to be great in life.

Nationally recognized Youth Motivational Speaker, Passion Ignitor and Leadership Expert, Lamarr Womble, created Passion for Leadership to give EVERYONE the power to choose in work, school and life. In order to do that, I specifically help students, educators and professionals: -Overcome their mental roadblocks and life challenges -Discover their Passion -Lead self and others to develop skills and live a more fulfilled life Passion for Leadership offers school assemblies, conference keynotes, interactive workshops, classroom takeovers and professional development. We also can offer consultations for a holistic approach to inspiring school climate. Lamarr Womble can bring INSPIRATION, PASSION and ACTION to your school or conference!