MLP girls learn about the new exhibit in the new Kidspace (moved to second floor- bigger & better!) Gallery and meet the artist responsible for the massive collections on display. They answer the questions: What makes it art? What makes you think it isn't art? And what do you collect? What is the most unusual thing you can find in the CRIB?
The Power of Healthy Relationships
Our group discussion today centers on the of the importance of healthy interpersonal realtionships. What does it mean to be a good friend?
How does our self image affect the quality and quantity of our friendships and social life? Through our descriptions of how we relate to others, we come to recognize that a healthy connection with oneself, is a major source of strength.
Our partner activity today is the "Human Mirror". It is so wonderful to watch the girls concentrate on silently mirroring their partners hand movements. Using eye contact and close observation, each pair moves in a dance of perfect synchrony!
Afterwards, we observe how important trust, willingness to remain cooperative and eye contact are to the success of the Human Mirror activity.
Next we work on the hand-out Constellation of Connection. We reflect on our relationships and the kind of connections we experience with different people in our lives. We journal 3 ways to deepen our connection to ourselves.
In Yoga class the theme is Emotional Intelligence. After Partner Yoga poses, in which pairs of girls cooperate with and trust one another to stretch, twist, arch and balance, we learn the Metta Meditation practice of directing Loving Kindness toward ourselves.
Your "Self Talk" and Critical Voice
Today we are learning about that inner monologue we often experience as "self Talk". We agree that "we are our own worst critic" and discuss ways to become more aware of this inner critical voice.
We form groups and discuss the "Conflict case Studies" to work on solutions to common social problems and dileemas like feeling left out, keeping secrets and "bad-mouthing" our bodies under peer pressure. We also work through the Event-Interpretation-Feeling-Action method of interpreting events and our reactions to them. We talk about how self talk can be empowering, diminishing,supportive or critical.
We discuss the meaning of contentment.
We have a short Yoga session with energizing poses, working on the Sun Salutation series. Then with our renewed energy, we finish our art projects in preparation for next weeks' art show and family reception to mark the end of our 16 week program together! Two yoga hand outs: one with the Sun Salutation series of postures. the other with info on "Yoga for Self Care" ,explaining which Yoga posed are helpful for which kinds of stress or fatigue we may experience.
It's fun and exciting to review our paintings, print making, collage, photography and self protrait artwork. We also revisit the Tree of Strength Mural and add some new leaves!
Mona Lisa Project: Family Reception Day
In preparation for welcoming Family and Freinds , we spend the first hour setting up our art portfolio displays and journals. Working together, we set up the Yoga area and the refreshments table, and hang the "Tree of Strength" Mural and the "Fashion Magazine: What's UP Mural"?
Then we gather in our Circle on the cozy bean bags to take time to reflect on what we've learned during our weeks together and what we will take into our lives from Mona Lisa project. It is an opportunity to share our deep appreciation for each other.
We read the "Full of Ourselves" Proclamation and discuss how our 16 week program has brought new meaning to the proclamation. We share our ideas about how Yoga helps us deal with stress and what we observe as the most important thing we learned from MLP.
Our closing Meditation is a visualization called " The Seed". Afterwards we stand in a Circle for a Group Hug and chant!
From 4:00- 5:00 pm we welcome our family and friends to Kidspace. We share refreshments, conversation and tours of the artwork we made. We tour the Gallery and have a Yoga Experience with our visitors! Karen and Shannon give presentations about the program and the summer internship in August. Then we all poses for a great photo session to get a series of group shots. it is exciting and fun! Corin gives each participant a good-bye gift. Lots of hugs and heartfelt good-byes til we see each other again in August for the summer program!.
Meeting for 7 weeks
Although our formmal classes with Karen have come to a close MLP will continue to meet with Shannon and Annie and Sara for informal sessions to continue exploring art in MASS MoCA Galleries and to work on a collaboration at the Kidspace project space on Main St in N. Adams.
Corin leaves her internship at Kidspace in early May! We wish her luck on her next adventure in the field of art!
