An in-school arts program that opens up dialogue around self image and body positivity
From a young age, youth of today are bombarded with advertising, imagery, and societal pressures to look and act a certain way. This barrage affects not only females, as tends to be traditionally thought, but also males and those questioning their identity.
Body Brave works collaboratively with those who have lived experience to create recovery-focused, inclusive programming committed to body liberation, as well as raising awareness and reducing stigmas around eating disorders.
In partnership with Body Brave, Centre[4]Arts delivered the Arts[2]Enrich 2019 pilot program at two schools from the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
Students in grades 7 and 8 from Sir William Osler in Dundas and Sir Wilfred Laurier in Hamilton engaged in Arts[2]Enrich workshops led by professional artists to explore the idea of body positivity.
Based on the information received in Body Brave training sessions, and following the revised Ontario Physical Education and Health Curriculum 2018, artists Sonali Menezes and Annie Webber developed lesson plans in stop-motion animation and zine-making, two hands-on, creative activities that allowed for a shared dialogue on the topic of body image.
The goal of this program was to educate youth on the concepts of body positivity and neutrality, which included an open discussion around eating habits and self-esteem.
Using visual and media arts techniques, the instructors were able to help students express themselves non-verbally to promote personal exploration, sharing, and healing.
With Body Brave’s support, Centre[4]Arts was able to generate awareness and conversations with young individuals around the topic of body image via the Art[2]Enrich program. Our goal was met to create a dialogue with students through arts-based techniques and to introduce them to new ways of thinking.
Sonali Menezes is an interdisciplinary artist based in Hamilton, ON. She holds an Honours BA in Studio Art from the University of Guelph and is the youngest of triplets. Sonali utilizes performance, video, sculpture, printmaking, poetry and sometimes-exorbitant amounts of Manwich tomato sauce. Her work reflects her resistance to the histories of colonialism and racialization within which she is interwoven.
Annie Webber is an animator and educator living and working in Hamilton, Ontario. Her works come from environments created and developed for free play. Drawn to animation by the magic of movement, Annie believes in the healing power of creativity, especially through collaboration. Her video and animated works are almost always handmade, using a light digital touch to stitch together the magical qualities of symbols, tactile materials, and nostalgic themes – everything is made with love.
Art[2]Enrich was developed with support from the Edith H. Turner Foundation Fund and in collaboration with Body Brave.
