A native Detroiter raised in Minneapolis, seangarrison has 38 years of people-serving work. From working with youth to older adults, teaching curious minds how to articulate what resides in them in an abstract art way. He is a co-founder and former member of the ROHO Collective, an African-American arts collective, and coined its name. He founded and is currently a member of the Blak Pyramid Art Consortium (BPAC). https://www.seangarrisonartist.com/
“The artist must train not only his eye, but his soul.” – Wassily Kandinsky
“…the experiences that each human meets, trains their soul to view and weigh the world, and art, differently on the scale of their being. No matter how joyous or painful that accounting is, it is beautiful because it is natural.” – seangarrison
Program Offerings
Residencies
“Speak Yo Peace” Social Justice through Art
Throughout history, art has been used as a way for individuals to craft and “voice” their viewpoints on things that matter to humanity. “Speak Yo Peace” participants gain understanding, a sense of fearlessness and agency by creating works of art through a social justice lens, and taking control of their narrative within todays history. Through this residency participants will
- Learn of other artists who have used art as a way to voice issues of social justice,
- Gain agency in creating history, defining their narrative, and developing their voice on social justice through art.
- Learn about abstract art and other foundational art concepts and fundamentals.
- Learn to translate emotions into art.
Mural it Now!
Create “abstract based” murals (Max: 7 ft high) through collaborative activities (ie; planning, ideating the vision, etc.)
- Learn the “Doodle method” of mural creation.
- Learn the value of collaboration and various viewpoints.
- Learn art and some overlapping and applicable advertising basics (placement of elements in mural, value, etc.)
Workshops
S(eye)lent Conversation™
3, 5 or 7 (one week) day workshops where participants communicate solely with their eyes (sight) while sitting across from one another. They then translate what they “see” into a piece of art and follow up with a discussion centered on their art. Similar to Marina Abramovics “The Artist is Present” performance. With an visual artistic twist.
- Helps others understand another through visual means.
- Help the participant “see” themselves in a more in-depth way.
Visual Recess
Recess has always been the most fun time during a school day. As we grow older, due to life responsibilities we forget how to have fun and truly see the beauty around us. Shape, sounds, and color often become a mixture of something else we are a part of as opposed to what we experience. This is about not just creating but also being the fun in recess while creating. Participants will be urged to paint with more than a paintbrush. (2 or 3 – 4 hours sessions. Can also be modified to fit the site’s timeframe. Ex: A 2-day workshop can be broken down into 1 hour sessions over 6 days.
Performances
Heaven or Hell
60 minutes (with 20-30 minute follow up Q&A)
This live painting performance centers on George Floyd and the subsequent uprising. Music is incorporated to fill out the meaning and story of the performance. Video of the performance can be seen in the videos.
