| Bridging the Personal To The Universal (Online)

Learn to unwrap the potential of your unique experiences and distinguished histories to create works that are accessible and meaningful to a larger, diverse audience.

Note: This workshop will be held in a live, online format utilizing the Zoom platform.
Class meets for 4 Fridays, 12-3pm ET.

To create a project that resonates with the “universal,” one must address and acknowledge its powerful relationship to the “personal.” The inner landscape of the human mind is rich with material that could become our greatest muse.

Photographic projects that address universal themes often lie embedded within our psyche. We discover and define who we are by the stories we tell about ourselves.

In this workshop, you will learn to unwrap the potential of your unique experiences and distinguished histories to create works that are accessible and meaningful to a larger, diverse audience.

Through thoughtful exercises, discussion, portfolio reviews, and critiques, this workshop will embolden your thought process— helping you to pre-visualize and execute compelling bodies of work.

This workshop aims to leave each student with a timeline and roadmap. Alongside acquiring the tools you will need to shape your story and strategize for the next steps in your creative journey by hearing the perspectives of 2 guest lecturers. By examining the genesis, life cycle, and aftermath of a project, you will find the answers you have been seeking— but perhaps more importantly—you will learn how to ask the appropriate questions.

Format

I will conduct this workshop in four parts. Each class is a three-hour session held every week consecutively for four weeks. Our workshop will open with a presentation of my projects, followed by examining the work of other inspiring artists.

Students will be required to bring 10-15 works to share and present in class. Students will also fill out a questionnaire followed by critique and custom strategy discussions.

In session three, we will hear from a guest lecturer, and in session four, we will hear from the final guest lecturer. Both will speak for an hour each and answer 30 minutes of questions. These accomplished professionals will offer insights into the art industry from their unique perspectives.

Guest Lecturers:

Elizabeth Hornor, Associate Museum Director for Public Programs, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University.

Ashlyn Davis Burns, Founding Director, Assembly.

Images: ©Manjari Sharma