Roxana Hadad, Professional: Co-Executive Director - Processing Foundation

Art + Code
In this hands-on workshop, art educators will treat code as an art material, engaging with a lesson from Art + Code, Processing Foundation's free online curriculum  for creative coding. Through an arts-first lens, participants will explore p5.js, a free, beginner-friendly creative coding platform. No prior coding experience is required. Educators will be guided through foundational programming concepts using creative prompts, visual thinking, and artistic context. 

Participants should bring a laptop and will work in the free p5.js Web Editor. No downloads or accounts required in advance.

Location: Connection
Capacity: 20 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: High School 9-12
Category: Media Arts
Presenter Preview Link:  https://openprocessing.org/class/99495#/

Carrie Carlson, Art Educator - Thornridge High School - District 205, Dolton, IL

Reconnecting Through Observation: Visual Nature Journaling in the Classroom
In an age of increasing screen time and environmental disconnection, how can we help students slow down, observe deeply, and connect with the natural world? This hands-on workshop introduces visual nature journaling as a tool for fostering creativity, mindfulness, and environmental awareness across grade levels.

Grounded in research from art education and nature-based learning, we’ll explore both the why and how of this practice. Participants will examine student examples, engage with resources from the Wild Wonder Foundation, and try a variety of drawing and observation nature journaling prompts.

We’ll also discuss strategies for implementation, including materials, lesson plans, assessment, and equitable access. Leave with practical tools and fresh inspiration to bring meaningful, observation-based learning into your classroom.

Location: Offsite - Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194
Capacity: 20 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Studio Practice / Workshop
Presenter Preview Link:  http://instagram.com/carriecarlsonart

Lisa Lindvay, COO and Senior Director of Learning and Engagement - Intuit Art Museum–Chicago, IL
with Jerry Stefl

Slow Look
What happens when you slow down and spend time with a work of art? Explore artworks from the Intuit Art Museum collection in this workshop, celebrating the creativity and unique perspectives of self-taught artists whose lived experiences shape their work.

We’ll begin with slow, attentive looking at a single work from the collection, then shift to hands-on, fast-paced exploration with paper. The session emphasizes interpreting visual elements through shape and space—no drawing required. Working in timed rounds, you’ll share observations, take creative risks, and engage in a process that prioritizes discovery over perfection.

This session is designed for educators of all kinds who are interested in new ways of seeing, making, and connecting through art.

Location: Connection
Capacity: 20 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: Artists (Art History, Exhibitions, & Museums)
Presenter Preview Link:  https://art.org

Jennifer Bergmark, Assistant Professor - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
with Lindsay Edwards

Paper Personas: Social-Emotional Learning Through Art and Creative Play
This workshop aims to provide a hands-on art-making activity to support the implementation of social-emotional learning, focusing on students' social and emotional well-being during important academic or personal transitions through creation and play. Attendees of this workshop will create their own paper persona using universal, customizable templates, focusing on important aspects of themselves as art teachers (artist + teacher). After creating their paper personas by customizing face, clothing, and accessory templates, attendees will experience a reflective play session, where they can explore how they can learn and make meaning through the play of their creations. In addition, attendees will leave with the digital toolbox from this lesson, including printable templates and strategies for use with various age groups and classes.

Location: Connection
Capacity: 20 participants
Fee: $25.00
Audience Level: All Levels
Category: SEL (Social Emotional Learning)
Presenter Preview Link:  https://sites.google.com/view/paperdollsproject/home

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