Dispatches: Collaboration in Trebinje

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Experiment Station

Phillips Educators Rachel Goldberg and Andrea Kim Neighbors are in Bosnia facilitating workshops on Prism.K12 and Jacob Lawrence with students, emerging artists, and teachers.

Artists collaborate during a workshop in Trebinje

Reflecting on our few days in Trebinje, it’s amazing how quickly time flies! Artists in Trebinje created personal responses to Jacob Lawrence’s The Migration Series and then collaborated in groups of four to tell a story using a theme that was common among them. Some told stories about community and travel, while others explored issues of identity and fear. We held an exhibition opening reception at the Cultural Center and were thrilled at the turnout! Artists talked with family and friends about how much they enjoyed having the opportunity to meet new people with shared stories and common interests, and to work and learn in new ways. I’m going to miss this wonderful community of fun and experimental students, but I’m also looking forward to our final workshop in Sarajevo!

Rachel Goldberg, Head of K-12 Initiatives

Artists collaborate during a workshop in Trebinje

Artists, family, and friends at an exhibition of the work resulting from workshops based on Jacob Lawrence’s The Migration Series

Dispatches: Inspired Artworks in Mostar

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Experiment Station

Phillips Educators Rachel Goldberg and Andrea Kim Neighbors are in Bosnia facilitating workshops on Prism.K12 and Jacob Lawrence with students, emerging artists, and teachers.

Artists, friends, and family gather at an exhibition of work inspired by Jacob Lawrence’s The Migration Series in Mostar.

What a week! We have had a wonderful time here in Mostar working with emerging artists, elementary students, high school students, orphans, and teachers. Last night at our home base in Mostar, OKC Abrašević, we had an exhibition of artwork created during this week’s numerous workshops. Many of the artists we worked with attended, bringing their friends and families. It was great to see so many people view these artworks, expressing personal and community stories inspired by The Migration Series. I can’t help but wonder what Jacob Lawrence would think. Today we leave Mostar and head to Trebinje. More to come!

Andrea Kim Neighbors, Specialist for School, Outreach, and Family Programs

Dispatches: Stories of Struggle in Bosnia Through Jacob Lawrence

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Experiment Station

Phillips Educators Rachel Goldberg and Andrea Kim Neighbors are in Bosnia facilitating workshops on Prism.K12 and Jacob Lawrence with students, emerging artists, and teachers.

Mostar emerging artists 2_Rachel Goldberg

Emerging artists in at OKC Abrasevic art center in Mostar work together to tell stories of Bosnian struggle and migration.

Two days into workshops here in Mostar, Bosnia and already we’re seeing and hearing some amazing stories. We’ve explored Jacob Lawrence’s The Migration Series with emerging artists and elementary school students and asked them to use this masterpiece of American narrative painting as an inspiration for telling their own important stories. So far, we’ve seen and heard stories of struggle, war, migration, discrimination, and hope from these talented young artists.

In the next few days, we’ll be working with high school students, orphans, and teachers. We’re looking forward to hearing and seeing the stories they share!

Rachel Goldberg, Head of K-12 Initiatives

Elementary students in Mostar.

Elementary students in Mostar created a 3-part collaborative series that told the story of the 1992-1995 War in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mostar emerging artists 1_Rachel Goldberg

Emerging artists in at OKC Abrasevic art center in Mostar work together to tell stories of Bosnian struggle and migration.