Month: May 2015

 In his series, Breaking the Pattern, that will be on display at the Green Street Teaching and Learning Center of Wesleyan University from June 4th through June 24th, Ben Parker thoughtfully and skillfully challenges the cliché notion of origami as merely the art of cleverly crafting amusing paper animals.

Parker’s aesthetic clearly affirms his affinity for pattern, precision and problem-solving–  all of which are inherent to the mathematics that underly his works and that are in keeping with the Green Street’s overarching theme of science and math.  He exquisitely explores and manipulates a much broader range of hand-folded patterns, designs, and surface textures than one would typically associate with the traditional craft of origami. The works in this show gracefully embody Parker’s contemplative, uniquely personal, and contemporary approach to the ancient art of origami.

This extraordinary exhibit will open on Thursday, June 4th from 5-8:00p.m. in conjunction with the Middletown Art Walk series— and will be a delight for crafters, as well as fine art aficionados.

On Thursday, May 14th from 6:15-8:15 in collaboration with HOT Schools the Green Street Teaching and Learning Center will be hosting a potluck workshop about how to use improvisation in the classroom setting. All teaching artists and interested college students are welcome to join this fun filled night at no cost. All we ask for in return is that if you bring your favorite dish to share with the group. This workshop will be led by HOT Schools very own Teaching Artist Jackie Coleman. 

Jackie Coleman is Senior Executive Advisor for the Arts for Hartford Public Schools. As such she works toward bringing dance, music, theatre and visual art to the students of Hartford in as many ways as possible.

Prior to Hartford Schools, Jackie left Hartford Stage as Director of Education. During her 6 years there she expanded the reach of Connections – a theatre literacy program, created Innovations –a science/theatre residency, formed the Hartford Stage Young Company, designed a multitude of interdistrict and after school programs, increased professional development opportunities and started their adult acting series.  

Jackie is a Master Teaching Artist on the roster for the Connecticut Office of the Arts. She has 15 years of acting credits in and around New York City and Connecticut. She holds an MFA from the University of South Carolina and a BFA from the University of Connecticut.

The schedule will be as follows:

6:15-6:45 eat

6:45-7:30 circle share

7:30-8:15 improv workshop with Jackie