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Artist Information :: Residency Descriptions


The following list provides an overview of the artists participating in the Arts Central Artists in Schools residency program.  To see more information for a particular artist and their residency details click on their name.
         
Artist
Specialty Coming From
 Visual Arts & Fine Crafts  
             
Helen Bommarito Clay Bend
Paula Bullwinkel Painting, Collage, Computer Arts Bend
Debra Fisher Masks, Theatrical Costumes, Murals Bend
     
Abigail Merickel Printmaking, Papermaking, Bookbinding Sisters
Jyoti Noel Weavers, Knitters Workshops Bend
Carol Poppenga Murals, Language of Drawing Milton-Freewater
     
Michelle Solley Visual Arts, Art History Bend
William Walther Puppetry, Sculpture Bend
 Karen Williams  Painting & Collage Bend
 Theatre, Mime, Movement, Music & Storytelling
Okaidja Afroso
Albert Alter
Mime, Clowning                                                      African/Ghanaian Drumming & Dance Portland                 Portland
 Lisa Ayers  The Art of Theater and Martial Arts                                                                         
Derek Sitter Theater Bend
Susan Strauss Eurythmy Movement Arts Bend
Melinda Strobel Humanities Alive: Theatre, Mime  Portland
Kelly Thibodeaux Fiddle and Song Oakridge
     
 Inter-Disciplinary  
Annie Painter Arts & Literacy, other workshops Sisters
Oregon Folklife Program Multi-Cultural Traditions Portland
NW Film/Video Center Moving Image Literacy Portland
Patricia Clark  In-service teacher training: Printmaking in the classroom      Bend  

 

Okaidja Afroso :: Grades K-12, Adult


About the Artist     Born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, Okaidja began dancing and drumming at the age of 15.  In 1994, at the age of 19, he was accepted as a professional dancer for the prestigious Ghana Dance Ensemble at the University of Ghana’s Institute of African Studies.  During his five-year career with the Ensemble, Okaidja performed and conducted workshops locally and internationally.  In 1999 he moved to the U.S. and worked as a lead dancer with Obo Addy’s Homowo African Arts & Cultures group in Portland, performing and teaching drumming throughout the U.S.  As a solo artist/teacher, Okaidja conducts workshops and residencies on dance, rhythm, and traditional storytelling from Ghana, West Africa. www.okaidja.com

Residency Description     Okaidja’s drumming and/or dance residencies offer students the opportunity to learn about, experience, and perform Ghanaian movements and rhythm.  Students are first introduced to the history, importance and power of rhythm and movement in the continent of Africa.  They then learn basic rhythms, corresponding dance movements, and how to collaborate as a group.  Students learn to create a sense of community, which allows them to appreciate the value of cultural diversity.  The residency culminates in a group performance for classmates and family.

Staff and Community Offerings     Workshop on basic African rhythms on the drum and Ghanaian culture.  A community or school dance and drum performance.

Facilities and Supplies     A large classroom space or gym free from desks and other activities is required for the entire residency.

Material Costs      $50 fee to provide conga drums for residency

Connection to Other Subjects     Music, P.E., African history and culture  top


 

Albert Alter :: Grades K-12, Adult


About the Artist      Since 1984 Albert has conducted hundreds of workshops and residencies throughout the U.S. and Canada, and in Japan, Cambodia, and Vietnam. He toured as a clown with Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus and has performed in film and on television.  He was co-founder of the Portland Mime Theater and was awarded the Sunburst award by Young Audiences of Oregon for his commitment to arts education. He is committed to taking time out from performing to share his talents with students of all ages.                                                                    
Residency Description    Everyone Can Mime: Students learn about the art form of mime and how it is used in creating stories.  K-3 act out narrated stories and learn how stories are created and passed on. Older students create and act out their own stories.  Discover the Clown in You: Students start learning the process of discovering their clown persona that is within each person. They learn circus skills such as juggling, object balancing, mime, and magic timing. Mask Alive: Students create their own masks. Mask styles may be chosen from a culture, time period or could be of the students’ own creation, depending on the goals of the teacher. Students then perform with their masks.

Staff and Community Offerings     Albert has workshops for teachers and the community, including “Everyone Can Teach Mime,” “Bringing Reading Alive,” “Breathing Life into a Mask,” and “Using Humor to Survive in a Classroom.” He also offers performances.

Facilities and Supplies     Classrooms, stage, or gym, depending on residency. Artist provides materials except for mask supplies.

Material Costs     No additional costs except if the school wants students to wear make-up. Mask residency: $ .75 - $3. Rental fee for juggling items $6. Extra for making juggling balls.

Connection to Other Subjects     Performing Arts, Language Arts, History, PE, Science, Social Studies top


 

Debby Ashburn :: K-12, Adult


About the Artist    Deborah’s first experience with hand papermaking was in 1978 when she took a collage class at Oregon State. She started experimenting with making paper pulp from recycled materials and the vast array of plant fibers such as garlic, cedar, corn, and weeds. The resulting papers created from these fibers are delightful. She “loves to teach children the fun techniques of papermaking to show what each person can create from simple materials.”

Residency Description    Students will make paper pulp from recycled papers and create new paper. A variety of projects are available including stationery, blank books, picture frames and art paper. Students can add embellishments such as leaves, flowers, and colored items. Students will then bind papers into a simple book for a journal or diary. Student awareness of the benefits of recycling will be increased plus they will gain some knowledge of the history of Japanese papermaking. They can use their new books and paper for literary projects.

Staff and Community Offerings    Book-making Ideas and how to create beautiful and inexpensive gifts.

Facilities and Supplies    A self-contained classroom, tables, access to water, aprons, many towels, small sponges (1 – 2 per student), large containers for water vats, paper, bookbinding supplies.

Material Costs    $1-2 per student, depending on donated materials

Connection to Other Subjects    Science, Math, Social Studies, Japanese History, Language Arts  top


 

Lisa Elrod (Ms. Lovely) :: Grades K -12, Adult


About the Artist    Ms. Lovely holds honor degrees in Aesthetic Studies with an emphasis on Teacher Education, and Theatre Arts and Music from University of California, Santa Cruz. She has thirty years experience working with children; currently she is stage director for Children’s Music Theater Group. Lisa also teaches, directs and mounts productions with the Bend Metro Park & Recreation District, the Art Station and several schools.  Lisa has directed over 70 productions in Bend since 1999. She holds black belts in nine disciplines of Martial Arts and is often called on to teach it in Bend schools.   

Residency Description   Ms. Lovely introduces the fundamentals and basic tools of acting, making use of improvisation, theater games, pantomime, stage movement, voice and diction.  She can work with your school on a predetermined script or help your site identify or create an original script based on children’s literature or fairy tale adaptations.  During residencies of one week or less, emphasis is placed on education in the art of theatre skills rather than on a completed, polished performance.  If preferable, the residency may be used to assist in directing a class or school performance. Lisa can collaborate with staff specialists on specific school projects. Martial Arts can be integrated into any residency.

Staff and Community Offerings    Workshops on Acting Games, Elements of Performance, After-school Arts program.

Facilities and Supplies     A quiet, large, and well-lit area such as a stage, gym or classroom.  CD player. Photocopying of scripts may be required.  Additional cost may involve script royalties (if applicable), costumes, sets, and props. A sound and lighting system is optional.

Material Costs    No cost for theatre skills residency, nominal fees for costumes or set requirement in play productions.

Connection to Other Subjects

     Speech, Language Arts, History, Social Studies, Science


 

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Debra Fisher :: Grades K-12, Adult


About the Artist    Debra has been creating mask and costumes since 1978. She has worked for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Portland Center for Performing Arts and was the resident costumer at COCC for 13 years. Debra has also shown her art masks throughout the Northwest in galleries and shows, while teaching in the schools since 1990. She enjoys sharing her passion for the arts and inspiring excitement with her students. Website: artmask.net.

Credentials: Twenty years teaching art to students through Arts Central's programs, five years as an instructor for Making a Difference Teen Theater, trained social advocate and exhibiting artist. Deb also worked as a costume technician for Central Oregon Community College, Portland Center for the Performing Arts and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

 
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Abigail Merickel :: Grades K-12, Adult


About the Artist   Abigail earned a BFA from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, Italy and has been an award-winning painter and printmaker for over 20 years. She recently completed a MAT and teaching credential in Art and Spanish. She has taught foreign languages and fine arts to students of all ages and backgrounds. Her work has been in exhibitions in the Northwest. Website: abigailmerickel.com.

Residency Descriptions   Each residency includes art vocabulary, design, and the history of art specific to the residency. All students finish with a presentation of their artwork.

Japanese Bookbinding, Nature Printing & Haiku*
 
Students learn a simple bookbinding technique to create their own book, embellishing it with twigs, beads, markers and colored pencils. Through the medium of Printmaking, they experience the visual arts language and hands-on printing techniques. They learn the history and uses of Nature Printing. Creating nature prints from leaves, feathers, etc. introduces them to the Principles of Design through their compositions. Japanese literature is explored when the students write their own haiku poetry complimenting their images.   full residency description

*This bookbinding and nature printing residency can be adapted to social sciences and science curriculums.

 Block Print Accordion Book  
Students learn the printmaking technique of block printing. They design, carve and print a block print while learning art vocabulary, design and the history of art relevant to printmaking. Using classroom curriculum, students will form groups around a brainstormed theme. Each student will create a specific image as part of their group’s theme in creating a picture storyline book. Each group will work together printing a complete book for each member.  full residency description

 Ex –Libris: Art of the Bookplate  
Students will design, carve and print their own ex-libris (bookplate). Book lovers from the 15th century on have marked ownership of their books with a design called an “ex libris”. Affixed to the inside cover, it includes the words “ex libris” (meaning from the library of) along with the owner’s name. The design may depict a family crest, a beloved animal or special interest. Inspired by historical images and information about Ex-libris, students will develop their own idea, learn the art vocabulary of design, and gain skills in printmaking techniques.   full residency description

Playful Printmaking Possibilities 
Students explore in-depth one of the following printmaking techniques: block: a relief form of printing with safety-kut blocks; nature: printing leaves, feathers, shells etc. in a nature print composition; monotype: a painterly print made on metal plates and printed on an antique letter press; or collograph: a print made from found objects & stencils built up on the plate and printed on the press. Using themes from classroom curriculum, students design, carve and create an edition of prints while learning art vocabulary, design and the history of art relevant to printmaking.    full residency description

samples of student work

Staff and Community Offerings
   In-service workshops to help teachers implement art into their curriculum. Community printmaking, papermaking, bookbinding workshops.

Facilities and Supplies  
A self-contained classroom with sink is ideal. Supplies include paper, paint, inks, brushes. Set up and clean up volunteers. Drying and storage space is necessary.

Costs  
Approximately $2 per student.

Connection to other Subjects
  Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, History
Other: Speaks Spanish and Italian.
 
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Jyoti Noel :: Grades K-12, Adult


About the Artist    Jyoti has created her fiber arts residency to share the joy of weaving, knitting, and fiber arts with her students. Jyoti is a professional weaver, fine artist and the Fiber Arts teacher at the Waldorf School of Bend.  She is a professional weaver and has studied weaving in New Mexico and New Zealand and also has a B.A. in Fine Arts. Her weavings are displayed at the Ghost Ranch Museum in Abique, N.M.  She has 15 years of teaching experience.

"My goal is to introduce students to the joy of weaving and fiber art through learning to work harmoniously with their hands and to have success in creating beautiful art work."

Residency Description   
•Weaver’s Workshop:
Fun and easy! Grades K-2 students will each weave on a sunloom that becomes a picture frame decorated with beads and feathers. Grades 3 and older learn to weave on individual wooden table looms. Students finish with an individual weaving and two school weavings from a floor loom and colonial wheel loom.
•Knitter’s Workshop: (For Grades 2 and up) Students make their own knitting needles, learn to knit, caste on and off, and spin. Students will finish with a scarf in progress.

Staff and Community   “Continuing weaving and fiber arts activities in the classroom” - This workshop offers many projects for various grades and hands-on weaving, spinning, knitting, and needle felting for teachers and other groups.

Facilities and Supplies   Classroom or large space for 4-5 tables and a long table for display. Volunteer help. Knitter’s Workshop can travel w/cart.

Material Costs   Supplies provided by Jyoti. Weaving — $. 35 per student. Knitting —$.60-.70 per student. Prices can vary with availability of donated materials. Equipment use fee Equipment provided by Jyoti: 50 wooden table looms (12"x15"), small floor loom, spinning wheel, drum carder, spinning hooks. $18 per week, $35 for two weeks.

Connection to Other Subjects   Social Studies, Math, History, Language Arts 
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Carol Poppenga:: Murals, Language of Drawing


About the Artist:
(Bachelor of Arts and History) Carol created her first wall art when she was in pre-school. Her mother allowed her to continue adding marks to her "masterpiece" as long as she contained the work within the generous area her mother had taped off. Today Carol is a professional artist with more then 35 years of experience. She has a passion for art making and believes the desire to pursue a creative process is part of the human psyche. Although she currently focuses on oils, she has also worked in pastel, pencil, acrylic, pen/ink, and silkscreen. Her most recent works are part of a series in which she explores the landscape subject as memory: latent images in the mind's eye.

Residency Objectives:
Through hands-on projects, students gain knowledge of how an artist's process and presentation is related to the concept/purpose of the final art product. They also learn how artists assimilate or appropriate various elements or ideas. Using familiar drawing tools, students learn to "speak" the basic visual language of art. Mural projects (either interior or exterior walls, or an installation of components) are completed by the end of the residency. Emphasis is on the students' work and self-discovery

Staff and Community Offerings:
Discussion workshops about art (its process, appreciation and practical application) with teachers or community groups.

Facilities and Supplies:
Classroom or traveling cart. Paints, pencils, paper and fabric.

Material Costs:
Depends on donations and existing school supplies.

Connection to other Subjects:
History, Art, Music, Math, Science.

 

 

Derek Sitter


Derek Sitter :: Grades 6-12, Adult

About the Artist:  Derek has spent the last 25 years working professional as an actor in film, television, and theater. He received his M.F.A. in Theater/Acting from Louisiana State University. He is a life-member of the well-known the Actors Studio. In addition to acting Derek is an accomplished acting instructor, coach and director.

Residency Description: Acting in the Real World: Consequences, pathways, carreers (theater, film, video/tv), character development, auditioning, and more.Students will understand the realities involved in an acting career. They will respond in writing to demonstrate their understanding based on a prompt Derek and teacher create.

Facilities and Supplies: Flexible space where students can see well and a DVD can be shown.  

Connection to other Subjects: Drama, music, speech, career development top

 

 

 

 

Susan Strauss :: Grades K-12, Adult


About the Artist   Susan is an internationally recognized storyteller and author of four books (three children’s books) and six award-winning audio recordings. For over 25 years, she has presented performances and workshops at multiple international congresses, leading museums, aquariums  and national parks throughout the world, including Australian Botanical gardens, Smithsonian Natural History Museum, National Geographic Society, Royal Botanic Garden Edinbough, National Gallery of Art and Oregon Symphony. She received a BA in English and a Masters in Education from the Univ. of Virginia. She has taught Eurythmy movement at the Waldorf School of Bend. www.straussstoryteller.com
 
Residency Description Story Architecture: Storytelling, Language Arts & Movement
Prior to print, language was a full body experience. Poets and storytellers delighted audiences with sounds, rhythmic textures and compositional structures. The power of language to make moving pictures, dramatic emphasis and surprising stillness can belong to your students as it did to ancient storytellers.

Students learn a traditional story by setting the sounds of words into gestures and the plot structure into choreography. The result is a kind of speech dance. Word gestures, developed from vowels and consonants, lead students to understand the use of alliteration and syntax rhythms for building meaning and plot.

Staff and community offerings  In-service workshops to assist teachers in bringing storytelling into their curriculum, including math and science.

Facilities and supplies  Large, quiet room to move in, such as a multi-purpose room or auditorium/gym, with a black or white board. Students need to wear loose clothing.

Materials Cost 
Approx. $1 per student plus a $15 a week supply fee for materials brought by the artist.

Connections to other subjects Literature, Language development, poetry, music. Adaptations to any curriculum can be done, including math, history and science. 
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Melinda Strobel :: Grades K-12, Adult


About the Artist   Melinda has been a professional actor for over 20 years. Her training began at Willamette University and continued at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.  Her stage work in both Atlanta and Portland has included a range of work from Shakespeare to Pinter.  Additionally, she has written and performed several one-woman shows, which have toured across the country.  Providing a safe learning environment, Melinda encourages students to creatively explore the world around them with the minds, bodies and imaginations.  By combining acting skills with your choice of material, students will develop an enthusiastic appreciation of the humanities through the medium of performance art.

Residency Description 
Humanities Alive!  (following options available)
Theatre Games--Skill-building activities include character, movement, vocal projection, imagination and problem-solving. Targeted to all ages, especially good for K-3. Literature or History—using a novel, fairy tales, or historical material, we can “workshop” or script a play or scenes for students to perform.

Poetry
: Rhythm, presentation, vocabulary search, and style all play a part in this language work.
Play Production: Using existing scripts, students can mount a play or scenes. Suitable for a longer residency.

Mime
: The technical craft of mime, coupled with student-created narrative, is a good way for students to focus on creating story and disciplined body movement.

Improvisation
: Older students learn to combine imaginative characters with unusual situations. Good for problem-solving and cooperative interaction.

full residency desription

Staff and Community Offerings  
Performances by the artist; workshops using historical figures; master classes using poetry

Facilities and Supplies   Photocopies of scripts if used and possibly royalties, Large open space such as a gym, stage or multi-purpose room that is free of other activities.

Connection to Other Subjects   History, Language Arts
 
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Kelly Thibodeaux:: Grades K-6


About the Artist:
Kelly is a working musician (fiddle player) with 30 plus years of performing experience throughout the U.S. and Canada. As a musician, he has gone from mere appreciation of music and all of its sounds to a much more complex realization of music ans a powerful testimony in the human spirit and the wonders of the creative energies that it possesses. “It is the nature of the gift that I possess that not only requires me to share this with anyone and everyone, but also to pass it on, as it is truly a wonderful thing.” Kelly sees teaching the fiddle as yet another opportunity to do just that, to share and pass on the art of music.

Residency Description & Objectives: Students will be able to play at least 2 to 3 complete fiddle tunes (1 to 2 tunes for a 1 week residency) and acquire a basic working knowledge of the violin and its relationship to folk music traditions. RESIDENCY VIDEO

Staff and Community Offerings: I can offer a pre-residency workshop for teachers, parents, and volunteers so that they may assist and encourage their children or students in this creative endeavor. Or; the above people may simply participate from day one with the residency and offer assistance as they acquire their skills.

Facilities and Supplies: Generally, all that is needed is a large room located in such a way as to not disturb any others with enough chairs for everyone. Kelly will supply all of the fiddles (sizes 1/2, 3/4 and 4/4).

Connections to Other Subjects: Math, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts
 

 

William Walther :: Grades K-12, Adult


About the Artist    William Walther has been a professional artist for 30 plus years. He has developed special techniques using Styrofoam and paper mache', enhancing the ability of every child to be successful. William has lectured and taught puppetry and sculpture in many Northwest universities,colleges, and public schools. William has an excellent handle on the dynamics of a classroom, the need for rules, order and consistency while keeping the fun in learning. Website: centerstagepuppets.com.

Residency Description
•Puppetry: Students create quality puppets based on legends, fairy tales, animals, or class curriculum. Styrofoam balls and Styrofoam meat trays will shape the puppet characteristics. Paper mache’ will be added – (a virtually mess-less kind!) A minimum of three one-hour sessions per classroom.
•Sculpture: Also based on the Styrofoam technique, taking it several steps further. Ideal for creating forms based on curriculum, such as spaceships, insects, animals, buildings.

Staff and Community Offerings   William offers an evening two-hour workshop for the community or teachers creating a sculpture or puppet. William offers a 45-minute evening presentation or school assembly showing puppets from around the world, including a 100 year-old puppet from China and shadow puppets from Indonesia.

Facilities and Supplies   Room with sink or cart for several rooms. Wheat paste, Styrofoam trays, Styrofoam balls (can buy from artist for $.65/student), round tooth picks, fabric (volunteers sew puppet clothes before residency), normal school supplies.

Material Costs   $.75—$1 depending on the donation of fabric and materials.

Connection to other Subjects   Language Arts, Math, Science, Theatre, Social Studies
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Karen Williams :: Grades K-12


About the Artist  Karen studied drawing and painting at Cal State Long Beach and is currently working as a mixed-media artist.  She works with acrylic, digital and collage, but has experience working in many types of art media.  She enjoys being very experimental and likes to work "in the moment" with her paintings.  Karen spent many years teaching middle school, writing art curriculum and developing an art club.  She has taught seminars to other teachers, helping them incorporate art and art history into their curriculums.  Her art has been displayed at various art shows and she has won several awards.  A limited collection of her art can be viewed on-line at karenwilliams.nobullart.com.

Residency Description
  Seeing patterns and texture in nature: a mixed media collage
Students will use a variety of media to create balance while learning the principles of design.  Paintings will be of a desert, jungle or aquatic habitat.  Grades 1-3 will focus on creating simple shapes from nature, like flowers, bugs or clouds.  Grades 4-5 will learn how to draw simplified animals.  Romare Bearden and Eric Carl will be the artists used to incorporate art history.  full residency description

Large Colorful Paintings in the style of Paul Bennett (grades 1-8)  Students will enjoy the experience of painting, by using a variety of colors and creating different shapes. They will have the opportunity to create interesting art forms and designs. They will become familiar with the art elements of color and shape and will use these elements to create a fun colorful painting of their own. They will be introduced to famous artist such as Picasso and Warhol. By using a variety of shapes to create their compositions, they will also be learning about the principles of design.  full residency description

Staff and Community Offerings  Seminars to teachers helping them incorporate art and art history into their curriculums.

Materials and Supplies  Large tables, floor space and access to water.  Supplies: pencils, oil pastels, watercolor and tempera paints, cups for water and paints, flat brushes, white glue, scissors, 12x18 and 10x8 white drawing paper.

Materials Costs  Approximately $2.50 per student

Connections to Other Subjects  Science is a great subject to connect with this residency.  Any science lesson on animal habitats or plants, or even a unit on space could incorporate this type of art.  Math can also be connected to this lesson by the use of patterns.
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