Workshop Description: Discover how art can inspire and enrich your daily life in this engaging workshop. Through hands-on activities and creative exploration, you’ll learn to use artistic practices as tools for self-expression, mindfulness, and problem-solving.
Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Q&A
This workshop is offered: All day, sessions 1-4
Speaker Bio: Faleshuh Walker is what some may call a Momprenuer! She has worked a traditional job since she was 14yrs old. One day she decided she didn’t want that anymore. She is now the owner of Heart Healing Art LLC and Braid Boss LLC and girls club Tea With Fe which focuses on the social advancement of little black girls. She has many ways that she expresses herself through art. She is currently exploring art therapy, although painting is one of her favorites. She is also a Poet. She has been writing ever since she could remember, only recently has she made the decision to share her words with the world. Art in general is therapeutic for her. It is an expression of her experiences. A collective combination of things she's observed over time coupled with artistic fantasies. Faleshuh's work can be found in many places: from schools, prominent fixtures, books, and many peoples homes across the world. One of her favorite and most memorable paintings is a mural she created during the George Floyd protests.There was a massive amount of emotion behind that creation. Since then she has been continuing to get her Art out to the world!!!
Workshop Description: Learn Bachata and Salsa partner dances with two short workshops! These are fun skills you can use at any gathering of friends, family, and even at local and international dance venues.
Participants can expect: Hands-on Activity, Movement, Dance
This workshop is offered: AM, Sessions 1 & 2
Speaker Bio: Luis Armacanqui is the founder and owner of The Capitol Social, a local Latin dance academy that builds community through lessons, event planning, photography, and live music. Counting on 14 years of experience, Luis will quickly get you moving on the dance floor so you can focus more on enjoying the music and making new friends!
Workshop Description: A fun exploration through self-discovery using Krump/Dance and raw (authentic) movement as a foundation.
Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Movement, Writing
This workshop is offered: All Day, Sessions 1-4
Speaker Bio: Traviance Witherspoon is a Multifaceted Artist from Racine, WI. She is a Sports Management Major at UW-Parkside and a UW-Madison PEOPLE Program Scholar majoring in African-American Studies with an Arts Emphasis and a Certificate in Dance Movement Therapy. In 2024 she became Miss Eastern Shore (WI) for the Miss America Opportunity where her community service initiative is “Celebrating Yourself: Projecting A Positive Self-Image” which is a state of mind/lifestyle that gives you the tools to become unapologetically you. Traviance started her dance journey in 2000 with Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Praise Dance as her foundation. In 2017 she began training in the dance style of Krump, a Street Style dance closely related to HipHop, characterized by its high level of energy, expressive nature and its roots in African American Culture. Through her hard work and dedication towards the craft she became the Leading Lady of the Wisconsin Krump Movement (WIBuck) where she is best known as Buckerfly. She has a love for the community and carries this passion everywhere she goes.
Workshop Description: Experimental filmmakers have been at the forefront of counter-cultural activity, social protest, and identity politics throughout film history. In this workshop we will watch and discuss short excerpts from experimental films that subvert expectations about what films can be to challenge social and political norms.
Participants can expect: Discussion, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Clip Viewing & Discussion
This workshop is offered: PM, Sessions 3 & 4
Speaker Bio: James Kreul is a film curator who has been active in Madison's film culture since the 1990s. He earned a Ph.D in film history at the UW-Madison in 2005 with a dissertation about the distribution and exhibition of experimental films in the 1960s. He currently curates three film programs in Madison: Mills Folly Microcinema at Arts + Literature Laboratory; MMoCA Cinema at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and Duck Soup Cinema at Overture Center.
Workshop Description: "Hey, that's not fair!!" Ever felt this way about a game? Or worse, you know you've lost before the game is even over?! Let's talk about equity in a GAME JAM!
Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Problem-solving, Small group work, Movement, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Game(s)
This workshop is offered: All Day, Sessions 1-4
Speaker Bios:
AJ Daughtry Krill is the Technology Education Lead at ITA Madison. AJ earned his English Secondary Education B.S. degree from UW-Madison, and is a proud Badger. AJ enjoys recording and performing music, playing games of all types, and loves being outdoors. In high school, one of his proudest accomplishments was selecting and co-directing the Senior Play!
Liliana Teniente Rodríguez is the Academic Education Lead at ITA Madison. A proud first-gen student and a Double Badger, she earned both a BA and MA from UW-Madison focused on Public Affairs, Education Policy, and Chican@/Latin@ Studies. In high school, Liliana loved swimming butterfly on the La Follette swim team, serving as a Restorative Justice circle keeper, and competing in the Forensics Club.
Elizabeth Troiano is the Graduate Project Assistant for ITA, so she teaches academic courses to juniors and seniors. She is also studying speech-language pathology at UW-Madison and will graduate in May. Her clinical rotation this semester is at West High School! When Elizabeth was in high school, she was involved in an a cappella group and several Latin clubs.
Workshop Description: You’ll be learning hip-hop based choreo’s in a fun safe space. You’ll also learn some moves that you can use at parties.
Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Movement, Game(s)
This workshop is offered: AM, Sessions 1 & 2
Speaker Bio: Kooy Buie has been teaching street styles such as hip-hop, popping, krump and house dance for 14 years as well as performing, battling and judging battles for 10 and k-pop classes for about 5. Kooy believes that movement to music and street styles dance in particular is a powerful tool for healing, self confidence, and overall joy and loves to offer that experience to as many people as he can.
Workshop Description: In this hands-on workshop, you will learn about the radical history of linocut printmaking, from Käthe Kollwitz to Elizabeth Catlett, then make a small print of your own. Linocut is a printmaking method that involves carving into a piece of linoleum to create an image that you can print again and again. This cheap and simple artmaking process has often been used by artists to convey powerful messages about the ideas, movements, and causes that are important to them and their communities.
Participants can expect: Hands-on Activity, Verbal Presentation / Lecture
This workshop is offered: All Day, Sessions 1-4
Speaker Bio: Lydia Zoells (she/her) is an artist and educator based in Madison. She currently teaches printmaking at the college level at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. She holds an MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art, and she also worked for several years in the book publishing industry.
Workshop Description: Where spoken word and activism collide: A workshop to inspire creative thinking and writing while confronting social justice issues. Participants will listen to and discuss poetry to learn about the experience of others and reflect on their own through creative writing.
Participants can expect: Reading & Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Small group work, Writing
This workshop is offered: AM, Sessions 1 & 2
Speaker Bios:
Ali Muldrow: Parent, Partner, MMSD Board of Education Treasurer, Tuesday host of a Public Affair on WORT 89.9 FM
Mary Swenson: English Teacher, Instructional Coach, poetry lover
Workshop Description: Explore solarpunk concepts of a liberated future with a deep connection to nature as you creatively imagine a more equitable future through an art form of your choice. Then, discover some concrete organizing steps that you can develop to connect with others and bring your visions to life!
Participants can expect: Creative Art, Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Small group work, Advocacy / Action
This workshop is offered: All Day, Sessions 1-4
Speaker Bio: Karen Polnitz (she/they) is a writer, performer, organizer, and educator who enjoys growing alongside each new group of people she is able to guide in exploration. She holds a B.A. in Playwriting and Spanish from UC Santa Barbara and an M.A. in Teaching from Fresno State University. She has served as an arts, high school, and spirituality educator for the last decade, organizes and supports social justice efforts in the Teejop (Madison, WI, Ho-Chunk Land) area through Families for Justice and within her virtual job based out of Fresno,CA (Yokuts Land).
Workshop Description: Driven by an equity topic they are passionate about, students will scavenge text and images from provided magazines and books to create a collage. Students will be given prompts from the artist to help get their creativity flowing. This workshop requires cutting, pasting, and some design skills.
Participants can expect: Hands-on Activity, Verbal Presentation / Lecture
This workshop is offered: PM, Sessions 3 & 4
Speaker Bio: Juliet King is an independent artist skilled in a variety of media. They specialize in illustration, printmaking, and fiber art. King loves to use humor in their art to not only bring joy and laughter, but to also tackle hard-to-talk-about subjects such as otherness, body positivity, and mental health.
Workshop Description: MMSD's newest Artist-in-Residence presents what is changing in Madison's Youth Arts, from career/job opportunities or new classes, programs, and more right in your school. From rappers, producers, dancers, or even design, Dawry's interdisciplinary arts background is prepared with opportunities for any point in your artistic journey.
Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Game(s), Writing, Q&A
This workshop is offered: All Day, Sessions 1-4
Speaker Bio: Dawry Ruiz is currently the Artist-in-Residence for Madison’s School District and serves as the Madison Youth Arts Ambassador via Any Given Child Madison, a coalition of Madison arts organizations and Mayor’s office. He is an interdisciplinary Hip-Hop artist and cultural organizer. Raised in Boston, Dawry was exposed to organizing at an early age founding an all youth arts festival. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a scholar in First Wave, the only full-tuition college scholarship for Hip-Hop and Urban Arts, with a BS in Community and Organizational Development and a minor in Arts and Teaching. In 2022 he was awarded the national Truman Scholarship for being a leader in public service. He has been featured in TEDx, Forbes, and more.
Workshop Description: This workshop will detail the workings of This Is West, while highlighting student voice and the importance of the program. This workshop will display material and the process of creating content.
Participants can expect: Discussion, Small group work, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Writing
This workshop is offered: AM, Sessions 1 & 2
Speaker Bio: Michael Alston, a lifelong Madisonian, embodies a deep commitment to his community. A graduate of Vel Phillips Memorial High School, Michael has dedicated over a decade to serving the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). His passion for youth empowerment is further evidenced by his four-plus years with Focused Interruption and his role as Head Mentor of Brothers Against Odds. A dedicated member of the Urban League of Greater Madison Young Professionals, Michael's impactful work was recognized in 2024 with the Urban League YP's Impact Award.
Workshop Description: The objective of this zine is to amplify the underrepresented voices of students at West High School. Individuals and communities are encouraged to share different perspectives, parts of their cultures, and stories. Students will have the opportunity to build community and learn about West's Zine Project, read the first issue and begin working on submissions of their own.
Participants can expect: Reading & Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Small group work, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Writing, Q&A
This workshop is offered: AM, Sessions 1 & 2
Speaker Bios: Shahad Al Quraishi (12th), Hiba Al Quraishi (11th) and Negar Tavakolibina (10th) are students at West High School. Staff supporting the students with this workshop are William Flowers and Ciarra Grobe.