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Students in the high school Portfolio Drawing Workshop had the opportunity to stretch their skills and pick up fundamental drawing techniques in a unique setting this Spring session. During a five-week series created to encourage students to accurately observe and experiment new ways to “draw from life,” teaching artist Joannza Lo invited a handful of special senior guests (artists, activists, and community members) to sit as live models for the students and share their life stories.
One of our special guests, for example, was Asian American social justice activist Mo Nishida, who shared powerful memories of the civil rights movement, Japanese internment camps, and the community work he continues to engage in today.
“The most impactful thing about this experience was the unique opportunity we had to host this very special inter-generational exchange in a creative, story-sharing setting,” said Joannza Lo. “The students were also able to expand their idea of what drawing can be and better understand how they might connect with their subjects.”
Inner-City Arts would like to thank our guests — Renee Fisher, Ofelia Esparza, Mo Nishida, Bob Bates and Ann Evans — for sharing their time, energy and remarkable stories with our students.