The Seed of Unmasking
ECHOES FROM A CHILD’S SOUL MASK PROJECT
Inis Mor Children & Masks: Honor the Children (2019)
Children of Incarcerated Parents Release Their Voices Through Art, Music, Dance, Mask Making, Movement, and Creative Writing
Video: Echoes from a Child's Soul
Produced by the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy
During the Spring of 2012, “Echoes from a Child’s Soul” engaged pre-service teacher candidates in elementary and art education from four CCSU courses with artists and fifth grade children from two New Britain elementary schools that have, according to the principals, a significant population of children with incarcerated parents. Mask making, movement, and mural workshops were held during the regular school day as well as afterschool. Workshops on mask making, movement, murals, and creative writing for fifth grade children and CCSU students were designed to explore self-portraits, personal voice, and sense of self. One of the goals of this project was to provide an aesthetic vehicle, such as the mask, with which children and CCSU students may investigate the concept of unmasking to visualize and project their voices, memories, and feelings. Symbolic messages utilizing masks, dance, poetry, and murals were documented, exhibited, and presented during a final performance for the community. The final performance was held in CCSU’s Welte Auditorium for the fourth and fifth grade children from the two New Britain public schools. Additionally, this community engagement project helped prepare teacher candidates to develop competencies in cultural relevancy, interdisciplinary arts curriculum for children, and eco-justice methodology to address social eco-justice issues on local levels (retrieved from https://ctcip.org/programs/student-projects/). Video Produced by The Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy.
Clark, B.A., French, J.J., & Butler, J. (March, 2012). Steppin’ Out of a Painting: Releasing a Child’s Voice. Bloomfield Arts Festival Showcase and Performance. Carmen Arace Intermediate School 6th grade children, art teachers &CCSU elementary education teacher candidates. Hartford Train Station, Hartford, CT.
Butler, J., Clark, B.A., & French, J.J. (February, 2012). Community Central Art Gallery, Unmasked: Echoes from a Child’s Soul. An Art &Education Project featuring CCSU faculty and students and the work of Gaffney Elementary &DiLoreto Magnet Schools, New Britain, CT.
Clark, B.A., French, J.J., & Butler, J. (December, 2011). Echoes from a Child’s Soul: Children of Incarcerated Parents Release their Voices through Art, Music, Dance, Mask Making, Movement, and Creative Writing. CCSU First Year Experience, Elementary & Art Education Students; Diloretto & Gaffney Elementary Schools Fifth Grade Students; University, School & Community Mentors, Welte Auditorium, New Britain, CT.
Clark, B. A. & French, J. (December, 2009). Creating a Creative Compassionate of Peacemakers. Presented with CCSU elementary education students &Gaffney Elementary School to grades three, four and five, parents, and community members: Gaffney Elementary School Auditorium. New Britain, CT.
