All children learn differently and are unique, individuals.
Intregal Art is used to inspire and nurture growth and development, through providing experiences that encompass the whole child (Mind, Body, Spirit).
What is of the utmost importance, it that the art making and creative expression be in a playful and stimulating environment that does not set "standards", impose competition, stress or pressure upon the child to perform or create in any specific manner but his/her own...An environment that allows for total creative freedom to explore and express....
Intregal Art is used to inspire and nurture growth and development, through providing experiences that encompass the whole child (Mind, Body, Spirit).
What is of the utmost importance, it that the art making and creative expression be in a playful and stimulating environment that does not set "standards", impose competition, stress or pressure upon the child to perform or create in any specific manner but his/her own...An environment that allows for total creative freedom to explore and express....
Integral Education + Art Therapy = Integral Art
Integral Art is the synthesis of the philosophies and practices of Integral Education with those of Art Therapy, implemented within educational and a variety of Community settings. Integral Art believes that each child learns and expresses him/herself uniquely, naturally and freely and is thus, provided the vehicles for personal self- expression within in a supportive, nurturing environment, “conducive to psychic growth”(Psychic Education).
"This environment allows for the soul of the child to blossom and reflect upon their thoughts, emotions and feelings, to provide an 'atmosphere where students feel invited to look within themselves and explore the deeper meanings of life' (Psychic Education). "An atmosphere where there are no “standards”, nor “right or wrong” forms of creative expressions, and the creative process provides an avenue for the voice from within to be expressed externally through the art making process. Each child is on their own, unique creative journey. According to the writings of Sri Aurobindo, “one of the aims of his Yoga is, ‘to live in the inner consciousness more and more while acting from it on the external life….’ This implies that the deepest layers of our existence have to come to the foreground and guide every aspects of our daily life”.
(From Psychic Education, Author’s Preface)
Integral Art is the synthesis of the philosophies and practices of Integral Education with those of Art Therapy, implemented within educational and a variety of Community settings. Integral Art believes that each child learns and expresses him/herself uniquely, naturally and freely and is thus, provided the vehicles for personal self- expression within in a supportive, nurturing environment, “conducive to psychic growth”(Psychic Education).
"This environment allows for the soul of the child to blossom and reflect upon their thoughts, emotions and feelings, to provide an 'atmosphere where students feel invited to look within themselves and explore the deeper meanings of life' (Psychic Education). "An atmosphere where there are no “standards”, nor “right or wrong” forms of creative expressions, and the creative process provides an avenue for the voice from within to be expressed externally through the art making process. Each child is on their own, unique creative journey. According to the writings of Sri Aurobindo, “one of the aims of his Yoga is, ‘to live in the inner consciousness more and more while acting from it on the external life….’ This implies that the deepest layers of our existence have to come to the foreground and guide every aspects of our daily life”.
(From Psychic Education, Author’s Preface)
VILLAGE VOICES...BOOKS BY KIDS FOR KIDS...ART, social-emotional development and creative literacy skills.....
PLEASE TAKE A SCROLL, AND LEARN ABOUT MY WORK WITH THE ARTISTS WHO ARE the VILLAGES VOICES.
PLEASE TAKE A SCROLL, AND LEARN ABOUT MY WORK WITH THE ARTISTS WHO ARE the VILLAGES VOICES.
COMMUNITY ART REACH
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Saturdays are for Love. Every Saturday, Tia Pleiman, an American art therapist and mental health counselor, brings Create and Transform to facilitate COMMUNITY ARTREACH to the children at Kuilai Creative Center.
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Create and Transform spent two months in Kathmandu , Nepal with PaNepal
Six months after the devastating earthquake, I visited two PaNepal Children's Homes (Sankhu and Lolang) to provide emotional rehabilitation and creative literacy through Art Therapy, with over 100 children and young adults, ages 3 through 23 years of age.
The children of PaNepal thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities for personal self expression and the cathartic release of emotions and feelings.
The opportunities for both verbal and non-verbal creative literacy through art making and storytelling expanded and enhanced their abilities to communicate, brought so much joy, relaxation, stress reduction, increased levels of confidence, self esteem, the acquisition of new skills.... and cooperative behaviors. The kids flourished both as individuals and collectively.
Create and Transform with LOKA in Obra, Bihar, India www.loka.in
social/emotional development creative literacy, and pure, creative expression
"LOKA works small-scale and from a holistic view towards a more bright and beautiful world. For this purpose a Centre of Knowledge is being realised in remote and rural India.
Loka’s school provides complete education through traditional disciplines enriched by Sanskrit, gardening, art and sport. On Loka’s land organic farming is being practiced and promoted in cooperation with local farmers. From Loka’s project bureau sustainable projects are initiated with special attention for women and our natural surroundings".
It was my absolute pleasure to be able to spend time and be an integral part of the LOKA team. What an incredible school founded and run by inspiring visionaries, Charlotte Leech and Sanat Kumar. ....
Create and Transform up North...
Uttarakhand, Himalayas, India
Nestled in the picturesque mountain valley of Talla Ramgarh, Uttarakhand, CREATE AND TRANSFORM spent a year in the foothills of the Himalayas, providing Village Outreach in the form of Integral Art (the synthesis of Integral Education and Art Therapy) to both the people living in and visiting the Ramgarh Valley.
Talla Ramgarh is home to many village schools, both public and private, children from 1st through eight standard, young woman from 18 through 22 attending a vocational training program, and students 10th through 12th standard attending a local "Inter-college". All come at scheduled times, and sometimes at unscheduled times, to the Integral Art Studio, a lovely space provided by Madhuban, a Retreat Center of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Dehli Branch.
The focus of my work with the schools of Talla Ramgarh is Creative expression, Literacy, Social and Emotional Development, 1st standard through young adults.
I begin with Developmental Art Therapy with the youngest children. Focusing on basic concepts such as color and shape.... Providing tactile, sensory based experiences which foster fine and gross motor skills and eye hand coordination, listening skills, sharing and cooperation, the Alphabet, simple words and sentences.
Talla Ramgarh is home to many village schools, both public and private, children from 1st through eight standard, young woman from 18 through 22 attending a vocational training program, and students 10th through 12th standard attending a local "Inter-college". All come at scheduled times, and sometimes at unscheduled times, to the Integral Art Studio, a lovely space provided by Madhuban, a Retreat Center of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Dehli Branch.
The focus of my work with the schools of Talla Ramgarh is Creative expression, Literacy, Social and Emotional Development, 1st standard through young adults.
I begin with Developmental Art Therapy with the youngest children. Focusing on basic concepts such as color and shape.... Providing tactile, sensory based experiences which foster fine and gross motor skills and eye hand coordination, listening skills, sharing and cooperation, the Alphabet, simple words and sentences.
My work moves from Developmental to Integral Art around 2nd/3rd grade, when children progress naturally from a sensory being to that of one capable of expressing emotions, feelings, thoughts, ideas and self reflection. When they begin to read and write and make conscious, purposeful choices. Regardless of the age level, books and literature are always included....
Creativity, Literature and Literacy...Regardless of the age, children love books and books serve as an inspiration, motivation and adventure opening doors to the imagination.
Integral Art begins to take on deeper meaning as the children approach 3rd/4th grade onwards....the art experiences are specifically designed to foster social and emotional growth, self reflection and providing a voice to communicate thoughts, ideas and feelings. Literacy skills continue to be of the utmost importance, but the vehicles that aid in their development provide more opportunities for freedom of choice and personal self expression.
Art experiences shift back and forth from the individual to the creative collaboration of the group.
Art experiences shift back and forth from the individual to the creative collaboration of the group.
Create and Transform @ Aikiyam School, an Auroville Outreach school, Tamil Nadu, South India
Developmental Art Therapy
The Art focuses on the opportunities for free, creative expression and exercising fine and gross motor skills, eye hand coordination and the introduction of many basic concepts such as colors, shapes and body awareness.
Paper Weaving was a project that incorporated recycling of old art projects to promote sustainability, cutting for motor skills, eye hand coordination, following a sequence of directions, vocabulary building with concepts such as opposites, i.e. under and over.
100 Squares project incorporated recycling,cutting for fine and gross motor coordination in addition to eye hand coordination, counting, sorting, grouping, adding, multiplication to strengthen their math skills and both individually and cooperatively as a group to strengthen their interpersonal skills and personal self expression.
What is Love? Exploration of the concept of "Love"..what does it mean to each child? A written, verbal and creative exercise with 2nd standard students, both individually and collaboratively.
100 Squares project incorporated recycling,cutting for fine and gross motor coordination in addition to eye hand coordination, counting, sorting, grouping, adding, multiplication to strengthen their math skills and both individually and cooperatively as a group to strengthen their interpersonal skills and personal self expression.
What is Love? Exploration of the concept of "Love"..what does it mean to each child? A written, verbal and creative exercise with 2nd standard students, both individually and collaboratively.
Squiggleart Applied both individually and within a group. I use the Squiggleart technique to begin all my group and individual sessions as an "icebreaker". Squiggleart is a fun, non-threatening exercise that serves to stimulate ones creative juices, is playful. relaxing, interpersonal, cooperative and builds confidence to continue with the creative process.
Effective experience, individually and cooperatively.
Color Exploration: From the Color Wheel, to The Mother's Symbol in Colours to Peter Max
"How does that color make you feel", and "what does this color mean to you?"
After the Mother's Symbol of Colour, I moved the focus to the Art and Artist who had the greatest impact upon my creative development.... The Art of Peter Max. The students ignited with excitement in the use of color and design. They learned the techniques of gradation, overlapping lines, designs and color enhanced photography. Their imaginations and newly acquired skills took flight and delight.
Recycle Sculpture..... I try to use as many recycled materials as possible. There's no shortage of materials inside and outside the art room. Reduce, reuse, redesign and recreate. A collaborative art experience.
"My Village"....Development of community awareness, personal and cultural awareness, creative expression of the beauty in everyday life.
PEACE Building Skills through ART, Art Therapy and Literature....
Through combining literature such as Todd Parr's "The Peace Book" and "Wangari's Trees of Peace" with cooperative/collaborative art experiences, students learn and experience such concepts as kindness, cooperation, sharing, respect, silence, neighbors and neighborhoods, community and PEACE, friendship and human unity. Art Therapy and Integral Education share a great deal in common for they both provide an avenue of experiences that provide a learning environment conducive for expression of the inner child, the uniqueness of each child's "spirit" and the individual experience within the collaborative or collective environment.
Effective experience, individually and cooperatively.
Color Exploration: From the Color Wheel, to The Mother's Symbol in Colours to Peter Max
"How does that color make you feel", and "what does this color mean to you?"
After the Mother's Symbol of Colour, I moved the focus to the Art and Artist who had the greatest impact upon my creative development.... The Art of Peter Max. The students ignited with excitement in the use of color and design. They learned the techniques of gradation, overlapping lines, designs and color enhanced photography. Their imaginations and newly acquired skills took flight and delight.
Recycle Sculpture..... I try to use as many recycled materials as possible. There's no shortage of materials inside and outside the art room. Reduce, reuse, redesign and recreate. A collaborative art experience.
"My Village"....Development of community awareness, personal and cultural awareness, creative expression of the beauty in everyday life.
PEACE Building Skills through ART, Art Therapy and Literature....
Through combining literature such as Todd Parr's "The Peace Book" and "Wangari's Trees of Peace" with cooperative/collaborative art experiences, students learn and experience such concepts as kindness, cooperation, sharing, respect, silence, neighbors and neighborhoods, community and PEACE, friendship and human unity. Art Therapy and Integral Education share a great deal in common for they both provide an avenue of experiences that provide a learning environment conducive for expression of the inner child, the uniqueness of each child's "spirit" and the individual experience within the collaborative or collective environment.
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VILLAGE VOICES...BOOKS BY KIDS FOR KIDS
ART, social-emotional development and creative literacy skills... created BY KIDS FOR KIDS. The creative process can enhance and develop literacy skills, spoken, written and verbal, in addition to providing a wonderfully exciting vehicle for personal self expression.
VILLAGE VOICES is a CREATIVE LITERACY and EMPOWERMENT project I developed and implemented, which provided the guidance, materials and creative freedom, for children to create theme based books of their own VOICE, HEART and ART.
VILLAGE VOICES was created by children attending village, government, NGO and Tribal schools in India and the Kathmandu area of Nepal. ....Books created BY KIDS FOR KIDS, serving as a tool for inspiration...to help children fall in love with books, and learning how to read and write in their native language and in english.
VILLAGE VOICES was born at Aikiyam School. A village outreach school in the Kuilapalayam village, in the Universal Township of Auroville, in Tamil Nadu, South India. We began by exploring Feelings, Dreams, and Village Life, and then the ideas and the art took on a life of their own. Students spontaneously began working collectively, creating multi- media illustrated Story and Theme books, with endless creativity, and a desire to "help little kids learn to read'".....................
VILLAGE VOICES is a CREATIVE LITERACY and EMPOWERMENT project I developed and implemented, which provided the guidance, materials and creative freedom, for children to create theme based books of their own VOICE, HEART and ART.
VILLAGE VOICES was created by children attending village, government, NGO and Tribal schools in India and the Kathmandu area of Nepal. ....Books created BY KIDS FOR KIDS, serving as a tool for inspiration...to help children fall in love with books, and learning how to read and write in their native language and in english.
VILLAGE VOICES was born at Aikiyam School. A village outreach school in the Kuilapalayam village, in the Universal Township of Auroville, in Tamil Nadu, South India. We began by exploring Feelings, Dreams, and Village Life, and then the ideas and the art took on a life of their own. Students spontaneously began working collectively, creating multi- media illustrated Story and Theme books, with endless creativity, and a desire to "help little kids learn to read'".....................
VILLAGE VOICES...
was created with the intention of supporting the schools, programs and student artists, which gave birth to her, shaped and welcomed her with open arms. To date, there have been 4 books published, with 8 more in the publishing process. When complete, the entire collection will be carried, shared and stored in a Village Voices Suitcase.
was created with the intention of supporting the schools, programs and student artists, which gave birth to her, shaped and welcomed her with open arms. To date, there have been 4 books published, with 8 more in the publishing process. When complete, the entire collection will be carried, shared and stored in a Village Voices Suitcase.
Doll Making & Storytelling...
Making puppets and dolls out of found materials such as plastic bottles, sand, sticks, newspaper, scraps of materials, discarded beads, button, broken bangles and jewelry pieces is an incredibly creative and nurturing experience for any age. It is also one of the oldest art forms across cultures. Both children and adults alike, loose themselves in the process of creating for the first time, or re-creating the childhood experience of playing with dolls. By creating "little people", one nurtures and receives nurturing.
Art Therapy provides a voice.................which comes through the story......
Making puppets and dolls out of found materials such as plastic bottles, sand, sticks, newspaper, scraps of materials, discarded beads, button, broken bangles and jewelry pieces is an incredibly creative and nurturing experience for any age. It is also one of the oldest art forms across cultures. Both children and adults alike, loose themselves in the process of creating for the first time, or re-creating the childhood experience of playing with dolls. By creating "little people", one nurtures and receives nurturing.
Art Therapy provides a voice.................which comes through the story......
MEDITATION, MINDFULNESS, MANDALAS
Regardless of age, beginning with first standard through adults, I have been exploring and facilitating individual and collective experiences of meditation and mindfully creating Mandalas.
Mandalas are circles....Throughout history and within many cultures and religions, they represent wholeness, the universe. Their creation, being a meditation in itself. In Sanskrit, Mandala means, "sacred circle"...so the experience and environment that I ideally strive to create is a "sacred" one. Carl Jung believed that "Mandalas denoted a unification of opposites, served as expressions of the self, and represented one's total personality". ( The Art Therapy Sourcebook, pg.123).
Play of Painting (ALL AGES)
"Everybody is capable like a small child, of devoting him or herself to this play when it occurs in a space designed with that in mind." Arno Stern
Children and adults of mixed ages paint freely together. The panels provide the inner necessity of expression from influences and distractions, without any judgment, but with the stimulating presence of the "practitioner" who is not an "instructor" or "task master"...he or she is a helper and a guide. No subject or theme is imposed.
"The results of this play in the studio are not works of art, to be regarded by others and meant to transmit a message, but a paper trace whose emergence, in and of itself, gives complete pleasure to the person who allows it to produce itself...imagine an activity that has the virtues of play and the seriousness of a task on which all of a being's faculties concentrate themselves."
Arno Stern
"Everybody is capable like a small child, of devoting him or herself to this play when it occurs in a space designed with that in mind." Arno Stern
Children and adults of mixed ages paint freely together. The panels provide the inner necessity of expression from influences and distractions, without any judgment, but with the stimulating presence of the "practitioner" who is not an "instructor" or "task master"...he or she is a helper and a guide. No subject or theme is imposed.
"The results of this play in the studio are not works of art, to be regarded by others and meant to transmit a message, but a paper trace whose emergence, in and of itself, gives complete pleasure to the person who allows it to produce itself...imagine an activity that has the virtues of play and the seriousness of a task on which all of a being's faculties concentrate themselves."
Arno Stern
Peace of Art Camp
Salida,Colorado, USA
Developing Leadership,Peace Building skills and multicultural awareness through art, literature, cooperative work and play.
Salida,Colorado, USA
Developing Leadership,Peace Building skills and multicultural awareness through art, literature, cooperative work and play.
tialovesart@gmail.com
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