Janie Lynn Textiles
Preserving Stories and Inspiring Creativity ThroughTextile Arts
Life Story Projects:
Very Special Arts Nebraska
Eight Omaha Agencies took part in this very exciting project. Those agencies were, ENCOR Bensen, ENCORE CARE, Community Alliance, VODEC, Ollie Webb. Mosaic, Friendship Program and Madonna School. All of these agencies serve, in some way, individuals with disabilities. The program was funded by The Developmental Disabilities Council of Nebraska with funds provided to Very Special Arts Nebraska.
http://www.vsa-ne.org/index.asp
Each participant created a round quilted wall hanging that tells the story of his/her life. Completed in three segments, the participants had a chance to experience new art forms and complete a very meaningful project. Below you can see the steps:
Quilting with each person individually
There will be 140 Life Stories told in the exhibit to open February 23, 2008 at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Please sign up for my mailing list to receive details regarding this exhibit as they develop.
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home - Quilting Your Legacy
In a similar project but using a square, more traditional design, 30 residents and staff told their life stories and recaptured precious memories during this project. This project was funded by The Nebraska Arts Council and Jewish Senior Services.
Here are some of the photos taken during this process.
Gomez Heritage - Spring 2006
I had a great time at Gomez Heritage Elementary school in the spring of 2007 creating landscape quilts with Kindergartners. I'll be returning spring of 2008 for an Eric Carle author study. Here is a look at our 2006 project.
Capture family memories this holiday season!
Play "Musical Memories"
Decorate a lunch size paper bag to use as your container.
Cut slips of paper and write some questions to encourage family stories. Here are a few to get you started:
What was the best present you ever received and why?
Who was your favorite teacher?
What pets have you had during your life?
What is your favorite Christmas memory or tradition?
When have you made a real difference in someone's life?
Now ... think of some questions that apply to your family.
Once all the questions are written on slips of paper put them in the bag, secure with a twist tie and start the music. Pass the bag around the room until the music stops. The person left "holding the bag" will need to take out a question and answer it. You can take this even farther and assign someone to be the scribe and begin recording these questions and answers. If you can play this game outside use a hamster ball to hold the questions instead of the paper bag and play catch. You'll be adding some good exercise to the creativity!
Play Reporter
Keep boredom at bay this holiday by outfitting your children with "reporter kits" a small bag with pens and notebook are really all they need, but items such as colored pencils, glitter pens and stickers make nice additions. If your budget allows, a small tape recorder is fun as well. Assign each child a few family members as their subjects and see just how much "investigative reporting" they can do. Help them develop questions and compose interviews. Everyone will have fun, learn family stories and strengthen relationships. If you need help composing questions visit Heather Forest's Story Art website listed below for lots of great ideas!
http://www.storyarts.org/classroom/roots/family.html
