SIDE BY SIDE: ART INCLUSION STYLE! A WORKSHOP AT NAEA 2024 MINNEAPOLIS APRIL 4 (SPONSORED BY AN ARTS FOR ALL SPECIAL INITIATIVES AWARD)

Jennifer Sims, Art Educator Hart Count High School and Kim Soule, Roster Artist Arts for All Kentucky presented an excellent workshop session at the National Art Education Association National Convention 2024 In Minneapolis Minnesota. We had 22 participants who received a picture of the special needs student and their artwork plus a few interesting facts about the student. The participants created a Side by Side piece that could reflect anything about the students self portrait. They were also encouraged to use collage or assemblage. As the participant/teachers worked they discussed their own students and possibilities of a similar project/experience at their own schools. Jennifer and Kim shared a google slide presentation about their recent project and school installation of self portraits. As the teachers were working and finishing their own projects which we intended to photograph and then publish in a virtual side by side, they decided all together to donate the artwork back to the students! What a surprise to Jennifer and Kim! The teachers also wrote notes to the students on the back encouraging them! What a wonderful and rewarding project!