Lucy Bartholomee

4.4 Convergence: Feminism, Intersectionality, and Decolonization Unite to Elevate Creativity and Camaraderie (Paper)

Lucy Bartholomee – University of Texas at Arlington, USA

Kathy Brown – University of Arkansas, USA

Abstract:

The creative buzz of art educators and artists coming together at conferences and professional development events generates an electric energy. This presentation explores ways these inspirational experiences can be enhanced by research, inquiry, and creative work during the Creativity Tour & Symposium, at InSEA and other art education gatherings. Specifically, we consider how themes of Feminism, Intersectionality, and Decolonization elevated the creative experience of art educators traveling together on PD programs. Coming together from different regions we find that we share a sense of caring, a love of art, history, and contemporary culture, and a shared desire for community. Camaraderie develops naturally between art educators at different stages of their careers, elevating the experience beyond the planned program. Together, we are confronted by the wealth of colonization still evident in palaces, gardens, treasuries, and art collections. Yet the cathedrals and palaces are often literally constructed on and with the remains of Roman colonization centuries earlier. The intersectionality of the architecture serves as a physical example that deepens our philosophical understandings of ourselves, our communities, and the locals we encounter. Feminist authors and female-identifying artists enhance the ‘curriculum’ of art galleries, historical sites, street art, and our own art making during the program. The outcome is deeply meaningful, life-enhancing, and creatively inspiring. The embodied experiences of traveling and learning together allows all idealities to hold space, even in the midst of complicated historical sites. Understanding that each of us brings an entangled perspective to any one object or environment creates a point of reciprocal discourse and ontological shifts. The Creativity Tour and Symposium illuminates the power of said convergence. In this session we, two American women of different sociocultural backgrounds, will discuss our recent collaboration in Spain and its emerging, generative outcomes.

10.3 Unbound Topographies: Landscapes of the Imagination Creativity Workshop (Workshop)

Lucy Bartholomee – University of Texas at Arlington, USA

Abstract:

Experience and discuss strategies to enhance personal and professional creativity. This workshop includes individual and collaborative art making within an exploration of the creative process. Creative play is integral to stimulating the imagination (Walker, 2021). Here I propose that intentional dwelling with notions of imagination and the creative process, combined with playful art making, can yield an elevated sense of the creative spirit.  Participants will first review the classic Torrance Test of Creativity and discuss methods of analysis and other theories about the creative process. Next, they will play an individual design game in which they receive an envelope of random paper shapes and colourful cut-outs to quickly organize into a pleasing design (such as might be inspired by af Klint, Kandinsky, or Hoch.) When happy with a design, they will take a picture. Then they pack up the materials and trade out for another envelope, repeating the process a total of three times. Selected photos of the designs will be uploaded to a Padlet.  Next comes the collaborative creative play activity. Participants will construct an Unbound Topography on one long roll of drawing paper (40cm x 3m) using the cut-out paper shapes, glued down this time, with pastels, coloured pencils, and other media. Abstract and imaginative notions of unexpected territories will be encouraged. As the session draws to a close, we will again revisit the concept of testing for creativity, the impact of play, and reflect upon the whole experience of the workshop upon their own feelings of creativity.