TELLING STORIES THROUGH VISUALS
What is Telling Stories Through Visuals?
Telling Stories Through Visuals “TSTV” is a multi-discipline model Program that uses a creative process to help understand and resolve conflicts, as well as to develop interest in the Arts. Before answers can be found, it’s necessary to know what questions to ask. Before the right questions can be asked, it’s important to understand why people act and react the way they do. The Project theme determines the targeted participants and best approach.
If the Project is issue-related, the process begins by participants recalling a situation they were involved with. They either verbalize or write their story, focused on how the situation made them feel. They close their eyes to visualize the most minute details in their narratives. Then they are shown how to translate the scene in their mind into art.
By relating a personal story about a situation, feelings are evoked.
The visuals are shared. But what if you never did art before …
or haven’t been exposed to the many art forms?
It’s okay to do it bad at first. The art will become better and better the more times done and the longer amount of time spent doing it. Doing art, and looking at art is relaxing. When calm, it’s easier to come up with solutions to handle a conflict or a bad situation.
It’s about sharing stories and pictures with others.
What does this picture say? Does it illustrate the story?
A similar thing happened to me! What are your thoughts?
How many of you think the same way? Please tell us about your experience.
In 2013, video documentaries were added to the TSTV multi-discipline program. Several include Project workshop sessions. They are posted on our website for local and global audiences to see, identify with the issues portrayed, and learn from. In an entertaining and non-threatening way, these video documentaries open the door for broader discussion and resolution.
Telling Stories Through Visuals
brings about awareness.
TRAIN the TRAINER Program
For more than 35 years, Center for Folk and Community Art (“CFCA”) artists have been using Telling Stories Through Visuals (TSTV) model program to enable people of all ages to think inwardly and express themselves creatively. The program – TSTV – has received extensive recognition.
CFCA’s outreach activities include a “Train the Trainer” workshop program with teachers and counselors. At each workshop, participants experience the program hands-on, learn the techniques, tested methodologies, and psychology behind them, so that they are able to adapt the program to the needs of their students.
CFCA artists have facilitated “Train the Trainer” workshops at: Arts at St. Johns – Art & Healing Conference, Miami Beach; The Mayor’s Women’s Conference, Miami Beach; Academy of Educational Development, Ford Foundation Symposium on HIV/AIDS Stigma, Wash., DC; Voices for Violence-Free Commission Conference, Hilton Head, S.C.; First Steps Beaufort County Conference, S.C.; FIU Learning/Beyond Conference, Miami; Lion-Lamb Peace Foundation Conference on Crime, Bluffton University, OH; New World School of the Arts, Miami; U.S. Conference on AIDS – Miami, San Diego, Dallas; FL Department of Health, Disease Intervention Conference, Orlando, FL; North Miami Senior High School Counselors and Teachers, NAF Academy of Health Science, North Miami.