This session introduces cultural based stories of the Americas and Indigenous artists who use storytelling as creative expression. Participants will create their own nature-based story using a selected prompt. Participants should have on hand the following items: organic materials (small twigs, leaves, twine, flowers), nature related magazines for collage, pencils, and a variety of colored pencils, markers or crayons. Also bring watercolors or acrylic, water and bowl, paper towels, small brushes, scissors, and glue stick. Bring paper that is 12 by 18 inches in size, and suitable for drawing, mixed media, or watercolor.
Lori Santos grew up with a family interlaced in Hawaiian, Portuguese, Puerto Rican, and Taíno cultures. She has worked with Indigenous artists and art education communities worldwide, including Canada, Mexico, Tonga, Peru, and the United States. She earned her PhD in art education with a specialization in art history of the Americas from the University of North Texas in Denton. Santos supports the inclusion of contemporary Indigenous artists to expand place-based concepts in art education. Her recent scholarship emphasizes Indigenous pedagogies and art as stories of place, identity, and environment. She is the founder of the Puzzle Peace Pledge Project.