When approaching this project, we asked ourselves…

• How can we design an interactive space inspired by the themes found in Vanessa German’s work? 

• How can we reach a diverse audience and communicate the spaces we value in our community? 

Community spaces welcome opportunities to play and connect with others. As we share community spaces we also share the responsibility to protect them. We invite you to share your reflections about spaces you cherish in our community and take a moment to think about how you can protect them. 

Colleen Tomlinson and Heidi Hernandez guided students through a myriad of artistic processes to design this exhibit. 

What is a memory? To some it may be abstract to some it may be lucid. Memories keep the past close to us. Due to their abstract nature they evoke curiosity. Memories are integrated into our daily lives; they shape who we are and who we become.

How do memories build connections? Through our past experiences, we connect and relate to one another. We invite you to participate in the construction of an evolving artwork. This collaborative installation represents memories and the connections they form. How will you build connections through the act of sharing your memory?  

Sixth grade students from The Creative Arts Academy of the Quad Cities explore the ways color, shape and pattern express mood, time, and place. 

Students were posed with the following essential questions:  

• How can we design an interactive space that is inspired by the themes found in Didier William’s work? 

• How can we communicate our memories within a museum space? 

• How do memories and personal experiences build connections within our community? 

• How can our installation exhibit reach a diverse audience?   

Students investigated their memories through a variety of artmaking processes. Now, you are invited to explore these artistic processes as you consider different ways to represent your memory. 

This rotoscoping animation project was inspired by the students’ memories. They reflected upon memories that have impacted their lives, whether they were happy, enjoyable, emotional, harsh, scary or a mixture of emotions. Various patterns were used to express the different feelings, and then they were animated in a sequence to share. 

I led communication and media arts students as they produced rotoscoped animations to accompany a dance performance. I supported the recording, editing and production of all footage.