Voices from the Land: Exploring Landscape and Language, Art and Culture

The Voices process is standards-based and experiential. Voices builds “community” among people of different backgrounds, ages and abilities: social and emotional learning are integral to the process. Communication, speaking and listening skills, compromise and respect… are essential elements.

A Voices experience begins outdoors… as small groups of people (3-4 per group) explore a natural area: a meadow, stream, forest, beach, park, etc. As the Voices process unfolds, each group selects part of the site that “speaks” to them. Guided by principles of art, groups create art from natural materials found on-site: leaves, sticks, stones, mud, water, etc. After completing their art, the groups share their art with other groups.

Oral language captured during this first phase becomes raw material for the next phase, where groups use written language to create poetry. In the third phase of the process, groups use performance art to re-cast their poems into performance poetry, which they share with other groups. Digital photography documents the Voices process, allowing participants to create posters/books that showcase their work.

Voices has been used in schools across the US, Canada and Europe, with groups ranging from pre-school to adult, and special-needs. Educators Erik and Kris Mollenhauer (Voices originators) will facilitate this hands-on workshop. In 2018, Voices was recognized as “Project of the Year” by Virginia Master Naturalists for its effectiveness.

Tentative Agenda

Thursday night arrival is optional. Our hope is that early arrivals will alleviate the stress of Friday morning travel.

Thursday, Nov 30 Arrive at NJSOC approx. 4 pm; bring your own dinner.

7:00-9:00 pm Special Program – “Through the Dragon’s Mouth”, followed by a “Winter Constellation Star Party” on Lake Wapalanne.

Friday, Dec 1

8:00-9:00 Arrival and settle into cabins

9:00-9:30 Welcome… Introductions… Posters

9:30-10:30 Overview of the “Voices from the Land” process

10:30-12:30 Creating Voices art (outdoor activities)

12:30-1:30 Lunch

1:30-2:00 Overview of Voices poetry

2:00-3:00 Small group writing time

3:00-3:30 Teaching oral performance

3:30-4:30 Small group planning time

4:30-5:00 Designing Voices books and posters

5:00-6:00 Break

6:00-7:00 Dinner

7:00-8:30 Campfire and storytelling

Saturday, Dec 2

8:00-8:45 Breakfast

8:45-9:15 Discovery Walk

9:15-10:00 Small group planning time

10:00-12:00 Small group performances

12:15-1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:00 Summation, Poster Walk, Evaluations

Registration fee includes five meals, overnight accommodations for two nights in cabin-style housing and all workshop materials.

Please contact Tanya Sulikowski, NJSOC Director of Education, with any questions. tsulikowski@njsoc.org

Refund Policy:

Your event fee, minus Eventbrite Fees, is fully refundable if cancelled 7 or more days before the event. No partial refunds are given if you cannot attend all days of the event. While we appreciate being notified if you are unable to attend an event, refunds are not given for cancellations within 7 days of the event.

If we must cancel an event, your registration fee, including Eventbrite fees, will be refunded.