Background/Main Focus

Amanda Joy Wells is a creativity coach and workshop facilitator in and around the Oklahoma City metro area. An artist by profession, Amanda Joy has been a muralist for the last twelve years as well as an art instructor for children and adults since 1999. She spent one year studying under the tutelage of Dr. Lucia Capacchione - renowned author and art therapist - in the intensive Creative Journal Expressive Arts training program, of which she graduated in April of 2008. Using the tools she learned working with a mural team and incorporating the Creative Journal Expressive Arts method, Amanda Joy has a unique set of reflective and collaborative offerings that can be adapted for a wide array of functions and curriculums. Her goal is to help guide participants through a creative process where collaboration and reflection are central themes that can be applied beyond the creative process and carried out in all areas of life.

Collaborative Offerings:

Make A Mural!

Through a series of reflective and collaborative exercises, Amanda Joy guides the participants towards a cohesive mural theme and design they then create in any medium that is available and agreed upon. This collaborative process offers a medium for creative problem solving, conflict resolution and team building as well as exploring ideas of individuality, diversity, adaptability and patience. This project works well with any age group and level of artistic ability.

Classroom residency format: 5 days, 45-60 minutes each (daily, bi-weekly or weekly) visit. Minimum of 2 classrooms back to back.

Reflective offerings:

ALTARED BOOK CLUB

Drawing from inspiration of late photojournalist and avid creative-journalist, Dan Eldon, the participants create their own altered book (from books that would otherwise be discarded) where they can explore their individuality and creativity in a free-form format using a variety of mediums. Each session is kicked off with a short, creative enhancement exercise to get the creative juices flowing before focusing on a theme that relates to how the participant experiences, fits in and stands out in their world.

Classroom residency format: 3-36 days, 45-60 minutes each (daily, bi-weekly or weekly) visit. Minimum of 2 classrooms back to back.

I can do a shorter 3 day program with e-mail follow up to get the teachers started in a quarter, semester or year long project or I can facilitate a lengthier program where I visit regularly for a quarter, semester or entire school term. This program works best in a once a week quarter term length minimum.

Hero's Journey (I am still working on the details of this one) Using the "Hero's Journey" format created by author and mythologist Joseph Campbell - which outlines the basic format of all myths and hero's tales from Beowulf to Star Wars - the participants will write their own Hero's Journey story of where they came from, where they are and where they want to go from here, which can be expressed factually or in a more mythical way. In either case, this program is useful in helping the participant understand their unique place in the world and identify how they want to use their uniqueness to impact their life, community and world. This project is created in a journal or travel log format where mixed media expression is encouraged.

Putting Your Talent To Work

Classroom residency format: This is best acheived in one 90 minute session; after school clubs or in classes with extended class periods.

All projects are also available for teachers, special student programs, school clubs and extra-curricular groups. Minimum of 2 consecutive hours per visit.