Let's Sketch and Chat - A Story We Can Share

Unusual - that really wasn't the right word the more I thought about it. 

With an original list item of attending an unusual arts performance, I think I was having a "She's All That" flashback moment and thinking I might attend something like this just for the oddity. But when I really thought about this opportunity, I realized that what I wanted more was to be involved rather than a spectator in an arts centered experience that a. I wouldn't normally put myself in and b. something I could actually walk away from feeling that the content mattered versus a weird guy in his underwear and some chanting (just watch the video).

My unexpected art experience ended up being an adventure in visual art and discussion. Want to know my artistic ability? Scan some kindergarten classrooms and what you'll find is probably better than what I can produce. While visual art was not something I was naturally gifted in nor an area I felt interested in developing a skill set, I am immensely jealous of individuals who have that gift. 

Getting ready to sketch!

So what was my experience? The 800 Collective that my friend Josiah leads. Per their mission,

800 is a diverse artist collective that engages Chattanooga through unique artistic experiences reflective of our communities. Josiah holds these great guided sketch and discussion sessions. The idea is you get a prompt, draw/sketch/paint what you think and then discuss it with the group. 

Our topic was "A Story We Can Share." February has long been celebrated as Black History Month, but not without debate over its place in our present day. We used art to explore how experiences and histories that seem different from our own can actually be used to teach us new things about ourselves. With an opening exercise to portray something that made us think of our grandmother, it was really fascinating to see what people associated with a figure in his or her life that most of us can have a reference for as well (hint hint - a story we could all share). 

Hard at work creating. Photo Credits: 800 Collective Facebook

For the main exercise, everyone received one of the following words: black, white, my or our. You were to then first sketch that word and then sketch that word associated with the word history. For me, I had the word black and then subsequently black history. Being the literal person I am for the word black, I was sketching and playing around with the variations in the actual color. And then when it came time to sketch for Black History, I sketched iconography of the Civil Rights Era (marches, bridges, buses, lunch counters) with the addition of one primary color for each image. And again, my interpretation was very literal - a point in time on the continuum of Black History that I felt familiar with. 

When discussion came around, I really enjoyed seeing what other people did for not only the same prompts I had but also the other words and their associated histories. A group of people ranging in age, gender, ethnicity, life experience and artistic ability, there were so many unique expressions and explanations. And the biggest take away for me after seeing everyone's sketches (mine included some killer stick figures) and hearing their thoughts truly went back to the theme; it' s all a big, complicated yet similar story we all can share. 

Post Session Picture with Josiah

Thanks Josiah for creating a supportive environment and encouraging and welcoming those of us with limited artistic talent. Sharing your passion through the 800 Collective is such an awesome idea and use of your talents. Keep up the good work!