Lucy Bartholomee

Unbound Topographies: Landscapes of the Imagination Creativity 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. 

Walker, S. (2021). Artmaking, Play, and Meaning Making. Davis Publications.