During this 90-minute in-person workshop guided by visual arts skills and techniques, attendees will learn how students inspired Charlecia Joy, Founder of Stapledon Arts, to create Melanin Series, a line of acrylic paints featuring 12 inclusive skin tone colors.
Participants will discuss intentional lesson planning and the importance of meeting students where they are, both culturally and artistically. They will also explore how proper consideration of materials can eliminate barriers and facilitate creative confidence and growth. Finally, participants will create and share practical ways to provide greater access with art education practices.
This workshop is limited to 30 participants so don’t hesitate to register today!
About Charlecia Joy & Stapledon Arts
Stapledon Arts was founded by Charlecia Joy, an artist and former high school NYC DOE art teacher. Its mission is to inspire Black & Brown Emerging Artists and Art Professionals through Art Education. To provide greater access and make their mission tangible, they developed Melanin Series: a set of acrylic paints created with artists of color in mind featuring 12 inclusive skin tone colors. Melanin Series makes it more accessible for Young, Emerging, and Professional Artists to create figures and portraits that authentically represent their truth, identity, and diverse communities.
Charlecia Joy Cole is an artist, art educator, and entrepreneur whose work includes representation and quality art education. Her love for art was nurtured at Parkway Middle School of the Arts and Dillard Center for the Arts in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Charlecia then went on to earn a BFA in Theater Production: Scenic Design from the University of Florida and a MA in Art and Art Education from Columbia University, Teachers College. Throughout her journey, she has exhibited in several galleries and art spaces, been a teaching-artist through non-profit and freelance opportunities, and taught high school visual arts within the NYC DOE.
Charlecia’s teaching philosophy is rooted in building a bridge between honoring marginalized stories and developing creative skills. In addition, her passions extend beyond all that creating art and teaching encompasses and also includes planning, collaborating, and ensuring Black & Brown creative and communal experiences exist.
About Heyground Harlem, a Communitas America Project
Heyground Harlem envisions more just and inclusive opportunities for entrepreneurs in underserved communities. Heyground Harlem, a space for innovation and collaboration, is a brand-new project of Communitas America that cultivates an ecosystem for innovation, entrepreneurship, and community to accelerate the social impact sector. The facility includes meeting, lecture and event spaces, accessible workspaces for members, and private offices for small teams. Communitas Ventures is Communitas America’s four-month accelerator program. This program is designed for women and BIPOC entrepreneurs who have big ideas on how to address local issues of the under-resourced communities like the Bronx and Harlem.
