A Student's Collage Journal Page, 5 x 7 inches, February 2012
Last week I gave a Collage Journaling Workshop to a group of local high school students. Generally I teach adults, so it was great to be able to expand my experience to include teens. It’s been a while since I was in high school, so when I took on this project I felt the need to get to know the students a little better — I asked them to fill out a brief questionnaire regarding their art/journaling experience and favourite leisure activities. As a fun element, I also asked them to provide me with their favourite song(s) for my workshop music playlist. This proved very interesting as I discovered what an eclectic group they were through the wide variety of hybrid musical styles they chose: rap, R&B, alternative rock, pop, metal and country to name a few. Wondering if the Internet totally dominated their leisure time, I was amazed to find it included activities such as: reading, listening to music, creating art, watching old movies and playing sports as well as video games. I was surprised to learn nearly all of them journaled and felt comfortable with art. I felt this was going to be an introspective artsy group I could really relate to and learn much from! See end of post for a short video of their pages…*
A Little Background on the Students’ Collage Journal Pages…
As per my daily ephemera journaling suggestions, before class students collected materials for their pages. During the workshop many opted to create two 20-minute timed pages to get the feel for spontaneously creating a page while a couple who really got “into the zone”, devoted their time to just one page. Regardless of the time factor, their pages revealed a depth of character I would have never guessed by looking at their faces – despite their youth, their pages were rich with life experience and personal insight. There I discovered many facets of their lives and personalities: their musical, literary and artistic tastes; flair for style; fears, hopes, wishes and dreams; media savvy, courage and ability to question things. Another eye-opener for me was that despite living in a digital age, these kids enjoyed expressing themselves in book form through writing and collaging – many were very appreciative of the exotic fragments of papers I provided them with. I was equally impressed by their ephemera collections from a wide variety of sources: Google image downloads, personal snapshots, doodles/drawings, scrap booking materials, tattoo designs, used concert tickets/sports memorabilia, magazine stats, notes from friends, stickers off CD covers, iron-on patches, sequins and lace! I just loved seeing these contrasting materials on their pages – I realized what a rich time period they’re living in and how skillful they were in integrating both their digital and lived realties into their journal pages. It impressed me to no end to see them working on their pages, not minding to delay their break time even a little further to complete their pieces… totally engaged in the world of collage journaling… as an instructor, I couldn’t ask for more.
Students, I’ve spent a week taking in your journal pages – I’m so touched and inspired by them. Like your signature, each one is a unique piece of who you are. Thanks for participating in the workshop and for allowing me to share your pages. Thanks too to Mary Crawford, my school contact, for arranging the workshop and giving me much needed insight into teen culture. My deepest appreciation goes out to the school’s librarian Ambreen for providing us with a warm and relaxing atmosphere to work in. Last but not least, I’m grateful to Wendy Southin and Kevin Casey for volunteering to help me run the class as well as re-vamp my notes for a younger audience. It was a great day and a memorable learning experience!
Video of Students Collage Journal Pages (for PC click here)
Video of Students Collage Journal Pages (for MAC click here)
*Please note the video takes about a minute to download… I appreciate your patience 🙂
Video Music: “Invincible” by Hedley
Hello Michelle,
I really enjoyed reading about your experience with high school students. I love the way you approached it – it was definitely a student centered approach which is the recipe for success when teaching others.
I wanted to let you know the impact that attending your collaging workshop had on me and my life. As I prepared for the workshop by going through magazines and photos, I had to stop and really think about what I wanted from life – something I’d been too busy to do. Since the collage was to be my vision for my future, it was important that I capture my true feelings and dreams.
During the class, I started to piece my materials together and got the biggest “ahah” moment of my life. It became very clear to me what I had to do. I immediately enrolled in a degree program and have been working towards my degree in instructional design and technology. I never did finish my collage but it was with a doubt the catalyst that helped me get going. I love what I am doing. In spite of the fact that days and evenings are busy with full time work and studies, I have never felt so alive. At 56 years old, I figured out my passion, isn’t that amazing?
Michelle, I would not have done this without having attended your workshop. Thank you for encouraging me and helping me to realize my dream.
Hi Gates, Thanks so much for stopping by and taking time to read my wordy blog! You’re thoughts have touched me so much. As an amazing teacher yourself, I really appreciate your thoughts about my high school class. I always feel like I’m in the dark putting these things together; it’s a great feeling when they don’t turn out so bad and I learn from them. As for your vision board success… I was glad to be a part of a process that proved to be such a catalyst for you. I hope you give yourself a BIG pat on the back for running with it and making it a reality in your present life! Every time we get together and I hear what you’ve accomplished, I’m thrilled to no end. Keep on going girl, you’re on the roll of your life time! You’re proving that it’s never too late to start anything and that’s so inspiring to others… it takes much courage, too. Let me know how your current school project is going so I can share more of your triumphs with my readers. Much love, Michelle