Trent University - Continuing Education

Welcome to Collage Creations! I believe in creating art that respects our planet and through this workshop, I will share tips on how we can find and use sustainable materials so that we are able to create beautiful art pieces while being mindful of our environmental footprint.

I like to give the class specific themes or prompts to help guide the collage process, as it can be difficult to find a starting point, but once you have it, it is all about letting the creativity flow! We can explore themes of identity, dreams, environment, emotions, the abstract, and others. Through this strategy, it is beautiful to see how the same prompt can lead to vastly different artistic outcomes. As participants work, I will circulate around the room to offer guidance, answer any questions, and provide encouragement. I can share examples of collages that I have made and discuss techniques and styles participants might want to incorporate in their own work. I will help guide participants to articulate their stories and think about composition and layering. Once we have reached the final week, I would love to encourage group discussion where participants will be invited to share their collages with the group and explain their creativity process, as well as the story being the art piece. 

I strongly believe collaging to be a beautiful form of visual storytelling which encourages participants to convey their narratives and emotions through images, texts, and many different materials. The overall purpose of this workshop is to encourages self-expression through the creative medium of collaging. To teach individuals the concepts of sustainable art and allow adults to explore their creative spirit and incorporate more creativity in their daily lives.

Note: This workshop will be held over 2 days. I will provide the majority of materials needed for this workshop, but feel free to bring anything you wish to include in your collage. See some examples below:

Optional Materials for Participants to Bring:

• Aprons/smocks (to protect clothing from glue or paint)
• Photographs
• Mixed media materials (i.e., fabric scraps, buttons, beads, etc. to add texture)
• Any personal items participants may want to include in their collages (treasures, memorabilia, etc.)

Day 1:

Blueprint and Treasure Hunt 

• Introduction to collage art – looking at styles, themes, and narratives in art. We will brainstorm on personal or collective themes for our individual collage and identify and collect materials based on the chosen theme.

Sketch the Story

• Outline and draft the collage composition. Sketch basic layout ideas on paper and experiment with the placement of collected materials. Continue gathering any missing materials and refine the sketch.

Cutting Out, Layering In

• Begin cutting, layering, and experimenting with texture. Looking at techniques for layering and creating depth in a collage.

Day 2:

Focus & Flow 

• Refining the narrative flow in the collage, securing pieces to the collage background and ensuring elements are properly adhered. Incorporating final details like paint, pen, or other mixed media elements for depth.

Reflect & Present 

• Reflect with the group on the process and present the completed work (optional) to the class. Talk about challenges and personal growth, share the narrative and creative choices.