An hour before Zumba class last Friday, instructors Mike Tan and Kim Melecio temporarily ceded their stage to a glorious mess of pictures, wrapping paper, stickers, and press-on jewels.

As the dancers started choosing materials and arranging them on the backings, I loved hearing stories about the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and female artists who have inspired them.

It was also beautiful to witness how members helped one another as a matter of course, natural as breathing. This can be seen in Mike’s video of the collage activity, for it captures the intuitive collaborative energy that makes the dance squad sparkle.

I love how our Zumba circle composes enchanting mosaics of kinetic and visual art, breathing hope into every step and image. Celebrating International Women’s Day with this creative community meant a lot to me, and I adore the two collages that flourished in the care of many hands.

Sheilagh and I’s first JourneyDance of Manifestation and Vision Board Workshop took place in 2018, and it has returned every January since! On Sunday the 15th, fourteen women danced and collaged at The Pink Studio, sparking engagement with goals, wishes, and desires for 2024. According to tradition, Sheilagh led the movement component first, and I followed with the vision board experience. I loved the studio’s energy that afternoon: lively and playful yet grounded in reflective expression.

For this year’s workshop, I tweaked an element of my facilitation. As the last song of Sheilagh’s set mantled peace over the people stretched out on the floor, I placed piles of images in six different spots by the dancers instead of concentrating them in one big pile.

After the music stopped and Sheilagh prompted participants to sit up in their own time, I introduced the vision board activity and stressed the importance of following instinct when choosing images. I also encouraged folks to expand the hunt for materials to all six piles if the closest one didn’t provide the right Yes! moments. Although not anticipating conflict, I added, “Two people rarely reach for the same image at the same time, but if that happens we can resolve the issue with a dance battle!” Laughing, Sheilagh declared, “I want to see this dance battle!”

Once the art-making started, I was happy to observe how the smaller piles strewn across the room gave rise to organic groups of three or four who encircled the supplies like campers round a fire. Soon the community sank more deeply into the work, and it was lovely to hear people chatter, laugh, and be silly as they chose their pictures and experimented with ideas. As I walked around checking if everyone had what they needed, I enjoyed proffering backings, glue sticks, scissors, and stickers.

When the session’s end drew near, all were invited to present their vision boards to the entire group. It was exciting and uplifting to witness multiple narratives threaded into the artwork, and many beautiful details have stayed with me. The following memory snapshots contain only a taste of the experience, for rich meaning infused every piece:

Considering cat adoption, one person placed images of cats in a corner of her board. After scissors released the felines from an illustration, she fashioned fancy cat-hats styled with plumes and bows from a 1970’s book of paper dolls.

Another woman affixed an old library-book pocket and its attendant card to her piece. The last date stamped on the card was from 1992, a year which held personal meaning for the maker. Thanks to her vision and preparation, the library pocket received new contents: strips of paper printed with poems that she had brought especially for the workshop.

Also playing with hidden elements, a different participant put stickers on her backing and covered them with a paper showcasing kaleidoscope patterns in pink and blue (gluing down only one edge). She lifted the flap of the patterned paper to reveal the stickers, which contained words naming emotions connected to entering a new stage of life.

Another attendee spoke of how strongly she resonated with a quotation from the Women Artists Diary that she pasted to her vision board: “Not fragile like a flower. Fragile like a bomb!”

Acting on the wish to embrace creativity more in 2024, another participant traced her hand over a vintage dressmaking guide, cut it out, and glued it in place as a reminder to use her hands to make art. Later, the negative space from the paper she left behind inspired the completion of “Dancing Hands, You Are Beautiful!” (2024) pictured below.

Finally, one woman’s vision board featured Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi’s words about the wisdom that passes from soul to soul. This verse had spoken to her from a calendar page, destined for her collage. As she read the poem aloud, silence filled our gathering, itself a soulful manifestation of movement, connection, imagination, and hope.

Facilitating this art session on the theme of “What is Education?” was a pleasure and a privilege. I loved seeing the resulting collages and hearing the participants’ insightful and inspiring comments about their work.

I enjoyed providing collage facilitation and supplies to support Jessie’s lesson on storytelling a couple of weeks ago, and I hope viewers enjoy the illustrated narratives that emerged.

Near the end of this fall semester, international and domestic students in two sections of a communications course made personal collages and wrote about them. It feels important to document the multifaceted creativity expressed in the students’ work, and I hope viewers find the following images and words as inspiring, charming, and uplifting as I have.

     Since 2013, I have led more than thirty collage sessions, and each one has testified to the power of art to nudge emotions, memories, and personal wisdom to the surface. Bridging visual and linguistic boundaries, collage creates a world of meaning in which a yoga pose, a set of stairs, and a gold coin symbolize an immigrant’s struggle to regain lost ground. As an artist and ESL educator, I appreciate collage’s unique ability to sound the depths and reveal insights that elude verbal access, thus providing a perceptive gift that builds second-language fluency and morale. Having witnessed the alchemic energy that transforms ordinary paper and glue into artistic creations, I would like to share my collage-teaching experience with a wider audience. To showcase the learning potential of this versatile modality, I will focus on the process of workshop preparation, execution, and closing harvest.

Whether conducting a session with my own students or visiting the ESL classes of colleagues, I am delighted to promote collage as an educational tool. To harmonize proposed collage lessons with the curriculum, they are usually given a theme connected to relevant textbook chapters, and some typical ones have included Relaxation, Health, Nature Conservation, Families, and Personality Traits. The artwork that results from these themed sessions provides meaningful material for discussion and written reflection, which instructors often incorporate into assigned presentations or paragraphs.

With a theme and a firm date established, workshop preparations start with a dive into several thick folders from my picture collection (an entity that has taken on voluminous dimensions of its own). As I search for images that can be tailored to the theme, I celebrate the latent promise of diverse colors, textures, shapes, and lines found in magazines, leaflets, wrapping paper, hand-made paper, tissue paper, fancy bags, and commercial packaging. While sorting through the folders, I often contemplate the artistic destiny of items such as a page from a Rumi calendar or a stamp from an old postcard. After the image folders have been customized for a particular class, I gather the requisite backings, scissors, glue, and embellishments, sometimes making flying visits to the dollar store if necessary. 

When the day of the session arrives, I shoulder two large bags full of materials and make it my mission to fire up enthusiasm for art, an attitude that lays the foundation for a lively and productive session. Upon arrival at the designated classroom, I ask for a show of hands to gauge how many participants have tried collage before. If the term is unfamiliar, I show them a sample collage and call attention to the French origins of the word (coller, to glue) while flourishing a glue stick in the air. Then I explain that collage is a process in which different pieces of paper are arranged and glued to a backing to create a new piece of art.

Before the actual collage-making begins, I assure the class that drawing skills are not a prerequisite. Hoping to alleviate possible anxiety over creative deficiencies, I strive to foster a non-judgmental learning environment, for I want participants to feel free to take a playful approach to the activity, setting aside worries about making mistakes. Thankful for the respite from critical evaluation, many students find that cutting, tearing, and pasting can relieve the stress of testing, grades, and error-correction, all of which permeate second-language study in college. Moreover, a relaxed approach gives participants the chance to defy negative beliefs such as “I am not creative” and let their imagination surprise them.

To avoid slowing the session’s momentum with overly-detailed instructions about technique, I prefer to pass around several examples of previous students’ artwork and let these exemplars provide inspiration. After the samples have made their rounds, I ask each person what colour of backing they would like and supply the tables with scissors and glue. Then it is time to release multitudes of papers from their orderly folders into gloriously messy piles. As colourful items spill out with abandon, eager hands pounce on individual images that clamour to be chosen. When I see how swiftly the learners become engrossed in gathering their images and committing to a mental picture of what they want to create, it makes me happy.

     Once the session is in full flow and the students completely immersed, it is fun to intensify the joyfully-strewn chaos of materials by adding alphabet stickers, stencils, markers, fake jewels, ribbons, and tissue paper to the mix. With student-selected music playing in the background, the room hums with kinetic engagement, which is in dramatic contrast to the traditional pedagogical tableau of quiet students in rows of desks, immobilized by lectures. Instead, workshop participants are free to stand up and browse materials on other tables or study the composition of classmates’ collages. As the dynamic work continues apace, someone might call out a request for a fish, a field of snow, or a feather, and these calls activate a general scramble to oblige the seeker. Invariably, cries for vowels become increasingly urgent as the sheets of alphabet stickers become more and more depleted. When requested letters or visual items are unearthed, it is rewarding for the helpers because they have provided exactly what fellow artists need to realize their visions.

Near the end of the workshop, busy heads bend low over the tables in a final burst of concentration, determined to add finishing details like a border of faux pearls or a tissue-paper flower with a questing bee. One by one, collages are declared finished, admired by onlookers, and then placed in a spontaneous classroom gallery that is curated with the aid of masking tape or magnets. To gaze at the rapidly-expanding galleries that emerge is to be awed by the creativity, energy, and humour on display, which is visible in spirited details such as a giraffe with a bedazzled purple bow-tie or two loops of string affixed by blue gems that seal the eyelids of an anguished god.

As soon as the galleries are complete, cellphone cameras click like mad, capturing each learner’s individual work and that of their classmates. Sometimes students will make videos of the displays, walking slowly to savour each artistic offering. Whether they record the collective works or simply examine them, it is heartwarming to see groups of rapt students standing in front of the exhibits and exclaiming over art that had not existed two hours previously. Gazing at evidence of simple materials magicked into art by virtue of imaginative effort rarely fails to impact viewers; collage reminds us that creativity is our human birthright.

Thanks to the pop-up exhibits, fresh artwork now brightens classroom walls and serves as a rich resource for written and verbal responses. For example, the following transcription of a collage presentation in a beginner’s ESL class contains visionary wisdom: “Sometimes we hear a noise and we think . . . it is something dangerous . . . but usually it’s something like this cute dog who want to play . . . Fear pulls you back. If we release our fear, we can reach to the stars” (Sergi, 2013). Sergi’s classmates and I were inspired by the comforting message of his piece, which stays with me to this day.

I am very grateful for the courageous willingness of over 350 students like Sergi to try an unconventional classroom activity that encourages camaraderie, poetic thinking, and artistic confidence. Until the next collage workshop, may your garden be protected by an Ewok and your baby panda lulled to sleep by a lute.

Note: A version of this essay was first published in the Marshall Alumni Newsletter, Fall 2018

In the bottom left corner you can see a butterfly. This butterfly is flying peacefully by the lake, enjoying the beautiful atmosphere and warm weather. The butterfly has very bright colours that can be seen from a distance. The butterfly represents beauty and peace. In the centre of the collage stands a very scary owl that is flying towards the innocent butterfly. The owl seems very hungry and vicious, and it’s trying to catch the butterfly and have it as its prey. On the top right corner of the collage, there stands a bear that is bathing in the lake and also looking at the owl as it tries to harm the beautiful butterfly. The bear represents sorrow and loneliness because it is witnessing the tragic act. Also, it feels sorry for the poor butterfly.

This collage is meaningful to me because the collage I did was about peace. The main part of it is about how calm it is and how sweet also. The way it all falls together is so beautiful, yet they’re all different pictures that still fit all together. Nature is where I want to be because it is without phones, wifi, or the city. It’s just a place where you can truly be yourself and enjoy the outdoors. Why this is important to me is because I’ve always loved the outdoors and found happiness from it. The curiosity of the animal is so pure and about being around sweet things. Being outside to see all of the world has to offer is so beautiful in itself. From camping to seeing animals in their home and being in or around water is the most relaxing thing ever. Just being able to connect to something other than the world of communication is truly my image of living.

I am trying to show that we need each other for survival. For example, bees need the flowers so they can make honey. They spray a liquid on the flower or on the plant so that it is good for human consumption. The flower and plants contribute to our breathing. They create carbon dioxide that helps us stay alive. Meanwhile, the owl in the picture will make a meal of the bee and the banana. The message that I am trying to convey is that we are interconnected, and we need each other.

There are several ways that my collage describes me. The Canadian flag describes my personality because I am too polite. The club party shows that I enjoy going to clubs as I find them vibrant and I like interacting with the people I meet. The swan describes my personality as I am amazing and easy to describe. The polar bear describes my personality as I am described as soft, cute, and short. The picture of the protest describes my concerns as I can’t tolerate racism.

My collage allows viewers to learn many things about me. On the top left corner, I put Dior blush because it represents one of my favourite colours, pink, and it shows that I am very girly. The background of the makeup is purple hearts. I chose this because I’m a very caring, loving person, and purple is also one of my favourite colours.

On the top right, I put flowers on the background of blue to symbolize good positive vibes, joyfulness, and beauty. As for the pictures, I put a girl dancing because I like to dance.

When I went to South Africa, I petted a cute baby lion. It was so fluffy and soft. Although it is a picture of a tiger, I chose this image to show that I love animals. For my bottom left picture, it is in Japan and it’s cherry blossom season. I love travelling and a country that I would love to go to is Japan (and I also love music). Lastly, the picture at the bottom right represents that I like art. As for the gold, I have an expensive taste when it comes to fashion and sometimes makeup

First, my collage is meaningful because I’m artistic, and I love creating an image that fits my personality. It fits my daily moods all into one. I like to be basic and inspirational at the same time. I wanted to draw viewers in and show them what best personality fits me the most. Second, I would describe my collage as colourful, inspirational, different, and abstract. The meaning is I like everything to be colourful, have a background to it, and have a defined meaning or reason behind your design.

Coming up with different pieces of art that can be created in a way you see it, and others can’t. Third, take the time to really think about why you chose these images and plastered them onto your canvas. A person can tell you a lot by just looking at the image that you created on your own. It shows what your likes and dislikes are when you see it in person. Maybe your viewers have the same personality and thoughts as you because they see your point of view.

We Are Not Perfect, But That’s Okay

Many of us have several ways to flip our lives back around, going through stressful situations emotionally and physically. “Getting back to our roots” is a way to explain how tough it’ll be through life. Showing the girl falling demonstrates how her emotions were completely falling and just giving up. The flip around arrow explains how the drop suddenly comes to show a slightly better outcome.

The pattern blocks show the building up the courage to over conquer whatever it will be. Slightly upway through the building blocks, they suddenly seem about to collapse even though they are still standing. The shield with the multiple arrows shows how many thoughts are going through. The negative and positive are fighting the battle, being protective and trying to collaborate together.

The rose with the heart shows how the negative and positive collate together to bring something beautiful. The arrow and the hexagon shape flare slowly, making its way through developing and throwing the anger and stress away. In the ending the flare will explode. The feathers or leaves expose the final outcome of someone. Even thought it’s not as bright, but we try.

In the right corner, you can see a shark. He seems to represent fear. In the top left corner, this is a cute dog. It’s something kind, something good, something positive. You can also see the butterfly. And there’s a man who try to reach the stars.

This collage is about my thoughts about my life. Sometimes we hear a noise and we think that it is something dangerous. We try to turn back and looking what it is, but usually it’s something cute like this cute dog who want to play and make a noise. Fear pulls you back. If we release our fear, we can reach to the stars.

When you have some trouble, you must be like this woman and go ahead and keep going. Don’t stop. Sometimes when you get in trouble, your emotions is very dead. But sometimes in your life you can find little beautiful things that will encourage you, like a flower or a cup of cappuccino. They will let you have power so you can just keep going to face the trouble.

When I came to Canada, I had to start again at the bottom. I struggled and had a lot of stress. The stairs show my difficult climb back up to success.

Many of us have several ways to flip our lives back around, going through stressful situations emotionally and physically. Showing the girl falling demonstrates how her emotions were completely falling and just giving up. The flip around arrow explains how the drop suddenly comes to show a slightly better outcome.

The pattern blocks show the building up the courage to over conquer whatever it will be. Slightly upway through the building blocks, they suddenly seem about to collapse even though they are still standing. The shield with the multiple arrows shows how many thoughts are going through. The negative and positive are fighting the battle, being protective and trying to collaborate together.

The rose with the heart shows how the negative and positive collate together to bring something beautiful. The arrow and the hexagon shape flare slowly, making its way through developing and throwing the anger and stress away. In the ending the flare will explode. The feathers or leaves expose the final outcome.

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It was a pleasure to share a paper-strewn table with seven participants who made collages on the theme of Equity and Inclusion. As we gathered, talked, cut, and glued, the discussion centered on how to apply collage-making to a variety of learning tasks, such as presentations, vision boards, and reflective practice.

In a post-workshop conversation, one participant kindly offered to share some thoughts about her collage:

Many thanks to all who attended the session! Your insights, engagement, and creativity enriched my day!