Sunday, February 6, 2011

Changing More than Diapers


One print at a time.

Art for Social Change as defined by the Leeway Foundation is:


                                                                
                                           "... art with a vision. 


It is an artistic or creative cultural practice that may operate in traditional or 
nontraditional mediums, modes, or disciplines.  Art with a vision impacts people in many ways. It can: 


• Raise consciousness  
• Alter how we think about ourselves, our society, or our culture 
• Create a vision of a more just world 
• Be a tool or strategy for organizing and movement building 
• Preserve or reclaim traditional cultural practices using one’s artistic practice as a form of resistance or empowerment 
• Create space for expression and build a sense of community  
• Challenge racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, ableism, or other oppressions 
• Question mainstream culture and beliefs 
• Shift or transform the perception of power and/or privilege and the dynamics associated with justice, equality, and/or  
     accountability 
• Engage and utilize a reciprocal process—where there is teaching and learning simultaneously and the consent for  
     engagement is mutual as is the benefit for yourself as an artist and the community you are engaging "

Thursday was my first session with the Teen Mom group at The Garage in Kennett Square headed by Lisa McMain.




7 Moms, 6 Babies, lots of extra helping hands from wonderful volunteers, including photographer Carolyn Viens who took these photos of our session. 









What changes have you made lately?

2 comments:

Maid Marian said...

Thanks for sharing these great photos! Everyone looks very engaged (except the sleeping babies, but their sleep facilitates their moms being able to become engaged!)
Good work, Nanci.
Did you enjoy your time with the mothers??

Nanci Hersh said...

Thanks for commenting Marian- and your are right about the sleeping babies. The time with the mothers was great, they were engaged and creative. It was so fun holding a newborn again. Even more fun to hand him off when he was hungry!