Artists in Action — Your COMPAS Round-up

Happy (almost!) 2017! Hope you have a New Year filled with opportunities to unleash creativity.

Congratulations to the student writers published in this year's Anthology of Student Writing! We are so proud of this amazing group of students, and the teaching artists who guided them through the writing process. You can read this year's anthology here.

When you're a published author in the COMPAS Anthology, newspapers take note! Student Kylie VanDeest was featured in the Woodbury Bulletin for her short story, called "Mariah's Big Mistake", and student Jessyca Patterson was recognized for her poem, "I am", by the LeSueur News Herald.

The Quad Community Press recognized another group of COMPAS writers, women who participated in one of our newest programs, the Women's Writing Program.

Artists in action this month:

Media Mike spent time working on photography with youth at Safe Zone, a place in Saint Paul where homeless and at-risk youth can get health care, counseling for jobs or housing, or just a safe place to hang out and get a plate of free food.

COMPAS artist Chiaki O'Brien completed a weaving residency with students at the Minnesota Academy for the Blind. We checked in with Jennifer Pelletier, MSAB Music Therapist, during the residency to see how things were going. Here's what she had to say: "We are having a GREAT residency with Chiaki. The work that students are creating is absolutely beautiful.. Not sure who is enjoying themselves more-students or staff!"  

How have the arts improved your life? We loved this presentation which highlights the ways art improves lives with some fun graphics.

“Creative education enables students to create a world they want to live in: a world of peace, understanding, freedom, joy, family, empathy, celebration and acceptance.” – Julie Strand, COMPAS Creative Classroom Director