I love this blog. It has been part of my social media collection of sites for years now. Its main focus has been my work with youth in the Lower Mainland, BC. and I have loved sharing the magical moments with you.
So why retire it?
As I prepare to leave my position as coordinator of Frames Film Project and focus on my art career and freelance therapeutic art facilitation (as opposed to coordinating programming), I am harnessing in my blogging and sharing my various creative processes and teachings and musings on one main site: katthorsen.com
I am leaving this site up, as it contains a delicious visual history of my work with youth in a variety of programs with a variety of extraordinary colleagues plus amazing art and sock monkeys!
I am currently teaching Grades 9-12’s the principles of drawing and portraiture. I seem to be fixated on Twin Peaks related themes! Here are some samplings from sessions 1 and 2! Group 1! Thank you, Michele Lopez, for this wonderful opportunity and Laura Mathers for connecting us!
INFORMATION about our next intake at Frames Film Project Jan 21-Mar 25, 2015
I am pleased to confirm our next intake dates at Frames Film Project, 2106 Commercial Drive, Vancouver BC.!  As coordinator, I have been taking applications for the January 21 start date.  Spots are filling up fast, so don’t hesitate!  Contact me at kat@froghollow.bc.c for more information. – Kat Thorsen
Frames Film Project is a Vancouver-based film production and life skills program that provides opportunities for youth to learn the basics of filmmaking in a supportive, safe and fun environment, at no cost.
Attendance is free!
We run Wednesday evenings:
Jan 21 to Mar 25 6-9 PM
at 2106 Commercial Drive (Drive Youth Employment Centre)
plus one filming weekend Mar 14-15 9-5 each day
and one editing weekend Mar 21-22 10-4 each day
and finally the grad Mar 28 (at Frog Hollow at 5th and Renfrew)
NOTE: Regarding inquiries and requests about YOUTH PROGRAMMING, Frames Film Project, private and group art lessons, collaborations, meet-ups and coffee chats etc., I’ll be responding to your emails and dispersing information starting January 5!
To youth interested in joining our next session of Frames Film Project that starts Jan 21, we have a large roster of interested youth already (If you are one of those- I’ll be confirming details with and requesting info from you next week).
I will be conducting interviews with applicants between Jan 5- Jan 20! You can find out more at framesfilmproject.com.
For full-time paid training within film, I encourage you to find a local youth employment case manager (for example: Drive Employment Centre at 2106 Commercial) to help you apply to programming.
Re: Mountainside Inside Out Project and the enhanced documentary and community outreach component- stay tuned for exciting news!
FRAMES FILM PROJECT INTAKE 7 is nearing its end. Â We have been busy! Volunteer youth have been meeting every Wednesday with the facilitators to learn about filmmaking and creative process and to work on creating short films for our community clients.
These next two weeks will be about editing the public service announcements and prepping for GRAD. Â If you are in the Vancouver area, please join us for Grad on Dec 4!
HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS MADE THIS POSSIBLE- SUPPORTERS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS! Â TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS, ACTORS AND FACILITATORS FOR HELPING CREATE EXTRAORDINARY WORK. Â TO OUR CLIENTS FOR GIVING THE YOUTH FREE CREATIVE REIGN! Â AND TO INTAKEÂ Â 7 YOUTH FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH FILM!
—
Intake 7 is possible through the generous support from:
MOUNTAINSIDE SECONDARY: Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey
Youth-run initiative using the vehicle of portrait photography and street art to learn life and transferable skills while developing self-empowerment, peer to peer interaction and community connections.
THEMES: Connection and Empowerment
CO-FACILITATORS: IAN POWELL, KAT THORSEN
Pilot Project: September 30, 2014- October 30, 2014
Mountainside Secondary School (MSS) is the North Vancouver School Districts smallest and newest secondary school, meeting the Ministry of Education requirements for funding as an Alternative School (BCEDAlternate Program Policy).
MSS functions as part of the continuum of social/emotional/behavioural supports that are available to all students at all secondary schools in the NVSD, and targets students in Grades 9-12 (ages 14-19).
MSS aims to allow for varied and alternate pathways to graduation (80 credit or Adult) or School Completion, and beyond.
MSS Core Values
Mutual respect
Genuine relationships
Flexibility
Choice
Individual accountability
Community Connections
TEST SHOOT, INTERSECTIONS MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SOCIETY, 2013-2014 (including Mountainside students/alumni)
As mentioned, we are part of a global art initiative founded by French street artist JR, winner of the 2011 Ted Talk Prize. Â Our project is called: The Inside Out Project- Own Your Journey.
As they work through the curriculum, the students will be gaining some valuable life and transferable skills.
—
We use TED TALKS to inspire and to induce dialogue and self-reflection around the theme.
Student journal entry
When you try to be yourself there will be people who will put you down. You grow up looking up to people and not knowing who you are and being told what to do and what not to do. We all deal with pain in different ways- some do it in a sad way. Having to live in a world where judging a person we don’t even know is a good way to make yourself feel better, or even judging a person makes ‘cool.’ But in the end we are all on this earth for a reason ans we should all love ourselves the way we are and respect all of our good qualities and get rid of all the negative, cruelty thoughts. – student journal entry
Â
We are registering our project with JR’s site on Tuesday! And our unique angle is that it is a youth run project and that by addressing their own vulnerability by connecting w people/community through portrait photography, the youth, in turn, empower the subject to feel comfortable being vulnerable in front of the camera!
The project will culminate in a large outdoor installation in the Spring. Â A documentary and a behind the scenes short film will also be produced!
My personal mission is to awaken creative expression through local and global art initiatives.Â
One initiative partners me with Operation Sock Monkey to create a life skills and entrepreneurship handbook. Our goal is to implement local pilot projects in the Fall and to bring the work to New York City and San Francisco youth programs in Spring 2015 and then to South Africa September 2015.
At Intersections Media we love Art Mondays!  Besides filmmaking, a significant part of Intersections is dipping our hands into the visual art/creative process and into art history by creating art work that interprets the masters and that creates community dialogue.  On Mondays we cover the art component and attack the canvas.  We are in the process of creating a new piece of art with the current intake inspired by Keith Haring:
Source: The Brooklyn Museum
Keith Allen Haring (May 4, 1958 – February 16, 1990) was an American artist and social activist whose work responded to the New York City street culture of the 1980s by expressing concepts of birth, death, sexuality, and war.  Haring’s work was often heavily political and his imagery has become a widely recognized visual language of the 20th century. (source)
The current canvas was covered in gesso last week and last Monday we started the painting process! Â Stay tuned for the finished piece next week.
Photo by Alison Donnelly
I don’t think art is propaganda; it should be something that liberates the soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further. It celebrates humanity instead of manipulating it. – Keith Haring
We need art supplies for Intersections so that we can create more art! Â NOW THAT WE HAVE REACHED OUR GOAL, LET’S QUADRUPLE IT! Â This will help us facilitate further and expand this important work!
YOUTH ARTISANS 