OFF THE COUCH!: A regional mini conference on community building, presented by Concrete Couch and the Community Built Association (http://www.ConcreteCouch.org)
Composed of 5 hands-on WORKSHOPS, and 2 special MEETINGS, this conference is for anyone (teachers, artists, planners, designers, builders, etc.) who wants to incorporate the community in their practice.
WORKSHOP dates: Thursday, April 21 through Tuesday, April 26.
Each workshop meets 3 to 5 times.
MEETINGS: Saturday, April 23rd and Sunday the 24th.
All the workshops and the Sunday meeting are free events!
REGISTRATION for SATURDAY MEETING:
Mail a $50 check to:
Couch Concrete Couch
211 Illinois Avenue
Manitou Springs, CO 80829.
You will receive a complimentary CBA membership with registration, and a free lunch. Tell us what workshops you hope to attend, and if you need housing (available for $10/night, with a host family). Cash strapped? Drop us a line and we will work something out (first born child, that kind of thing). (NOTE: students from collaborating schools attend for FREE).
More info?: , or call Steve Wood at 719-338-6156
WORKSHOPS:
1) Art Bench Workshop at Fort Carson: military and civilians work together to make a concrete and ceramic tile bench for a playground on post (10 am to 1 pm weekdays, with a Sunday session). Run by Cody Gravestock (CC teacher and board member), Bob Dawes (Outward Bound Instructor and an army Ranger during the Vietnam War) and Steve Wood (CBA member; CC director; http://www.PublicArtAssociates.com).
2) Environmental Restoration Workshop: Manitou teens and community work with the Rocky Mountain Field Institute on several manitou trails (3 to 5 pm Thursday, Friday, and Monday). Run by Rocky Mountain Field Institute staff (http://www.rmfi.org) and Laurel Hesse (CC teacher).
3) Mosaic Workshop: community works with mosaic experts on a direct project in downtown Colorado Springs (1 to 4 pm weekdays, Sunday 1 to 4). Run by Betty Rosen Ziff (CBA board member; http://www.MosaicAlchemy.com), and Nao Marshall (CC teacher).
4) Design Workshop: community works with design professionals to develop public art models and schematic drawings for the PPLD. Hosted by Library and PPCC Downtown Studio Art Gallery. 9 am to 12 pm Thursday, Friday, Monday at the library and Sunday afternoon at PPCC. Run by Helen Helwig (CBA member; http://www.HelwigStudios.com), Niki Glen (CBA board member; http://www.GlenStudios.com), and Rodney Wood (http://www.RodneyWood.com).
5) Marimba Workshop: Ute Pass Elementary students, parents, community members and musical playground professional make a marimba at the school (3 to 5 weekdays and Sunday 1 to 4). Run by Bond Anderson (CBA member; http://www.soundplay.com), and Katie Orr and Joel Newmiller (CC teachers).
MEETING 1: “Community Building!”
Saturday 10AM to 4:30PM, at the Business of Art Center
Birgitta DePree: Using movement and drama to get ’em going (Manitou Art Theatre; http://www.TheMAT.org).
Steve Wood: Concrete Couch, CBA and creative community building.
Susan Edmondson: Building buzz, and finding perfect partners
(http://www.BeeVradenburgFoundation.org).
Umberta Crenca: The Providence Renaissance and AS220: community building and civic revitalization (http://www.as220.org).
LUNCH: provided by Adams Mountain Cafe.
Rodney Wood: Helping artists (and engineers) become better teachers (http://www.rodneywood.com).
Art Goodtimes: Community building: navigating project politics by telling your story (Art is a poet, activist and four term commissioner from San Miguel County).
MEETING 2: “Talking Gourd Circle: telling YOUR story”
Sunday morning 10AM to noon
Facilitated by Art Goodtimes and John Weiss (Colorado Springs Independent), we will meet in a local park and share our stories.
Collaborators:
Pikes Peak Library District
Pikes Peak Community College
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado College
Futureself
Partners for Healthy Choices
Smokebrush Foundation
Imagination Celebration
CoPPER
Mountainside and Ute Pass Elementary Schools
Rocky Mountain Field Institute
The Business of Art Center
Supporters:
Bee Vradenburg Foundation
The Pikes Peak Community Foundation
The Fund for the Arts
Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation
Catto Charitable Fund
The Quail Roost Foundation
Schwab Charitable Fund
The Pikes Peak Arts Council (mini grant program)
The Manitou Springs Arts Council
Manitou Springs School District 14
Habitat for Humanity ReStore