Culture, Art, and Worldbuilding is a series of creative youth development after-school workshops for teens aged 11-24. They center around youth voice, investigating identity, and exploring community through individual and collaborative works. Using textile, sculpture, and installation art, participants create a series of works that reflect on personal narratives and the creation of supportive community environments inspired by worldbuilding.
The C.A.W. program highlights sculpture as a tactile, accessible medium for teens to create without fear of judgment. Spotlight projects include Communal Tapestries, Space Making (rug tufting), and Sculpted Environments. Each series is tailored to have ties specific to the local community’s cultural history with textile arts (Afghani rugs, Kumeyaay weaving, etc.). Programs begin with exploring the preservation of these cultural practices, scaffolding into curriculum focused on local, contemporary, queer, and BIPOC artists reclaiming/revitalizing these methods.
C.A.W. Program Offers
- 90-120 minute visual arts workshops
- Curriculum with Social-Emotional Wellness support
- Standards-based, skill-building visual arts lessons in a variety of media
- Lessons inspired by relevant contemporary and local artists and artistic practices outside of mainstream art history
- Professional Teaching Artists
- Potential guest artist for specific projects
- All program materials provided
- Ongoing program support and partnership
- Schools with a Title I designation are eligible for discounted rates
Projects Include But Are Not Limited To
- Mixed Media Weaving
- Personal Sanctuary // Rug Making
- Community Tapestry
- Guardians // Sculpture Garden inspired by Nek Chand
- Space Making // Furniture Design
- Abstract Felt // Emotion and Process
- Perspective and Identity // Abstract Portrait Sculptures
Sites Provide
- Classroom or space where instruction can take place
- Organization staff to remain in workshop space with the Teaching Artists
Inquire about a C.A.W. Program
Contact: Yasmine Kasem, Community Programs Manager at yasmine@artreachsandiego.org.