Process

The two principal mediums of expression used for Visual Voices™ are painting and writing. Youth between the ages of eight and fifteen are encouraged to participate in the creative painting and writing sessions - parents and friends are also welcome. Youth are often asked to address a variety of topics, such as their favorite person / place or their dreams throughout their creative painting and writing sessions. These creative efforts serve as a platform from which both youth can learn more about themselves and each other. During the interactive painting sessions, writing sessions, and group activities, youth are encouraged reflect on their goals for the future, dreams, and desires as individuals and as a group. There is great emphasis placed upon the teaching and strengthening of individual communication, team dynamic, and conflict resolution skills through group exercises and discussions that reach beyond the actual painting and writing sessions.

The scenes the children paint are separated into vertical strips in approximately eight inch segments, and sewn back together again side by side with other children’s paintings from not only their community but with other children’s paintings from communities and cities across the country. The children’s feelings and perspectives are also expressed through writings completed during the creative sessions that are copied onto clear acetate and hung overtop of the collaged paintings on plexy-glass along with black and white photographs of the youth taken during the creative sessions.

Red Sun - DetailYouth participating in the project are always presented with a past example of the Visual Voices™ project final exhibit design and presentation. This promotes a healthy discussion around the young artists’ perspective of the piece that informs future design and exhibition efforts. This multi-layering design provides an open forum for expression and thought from viewing the overlapping of paintings, writings, and photographs created by and documenting the efforts of children from different communities and cities throughout the country.