In this energetic three-day residency, students will dive into the world of mixed media journaling, exploring how personal expression and creativity come together through bookmaking and art. Designed for upper elementary through high school, this hands-on experience weaves together literacy support, visual storytelling, and emotional reflection.
Students will begin by crafting their own journals using a simple Japanese stab binding technique and watercolor paper. They will then explore a range of expressive mixed media techniques—such as collage and textural layering—using found paper, stencils, acrylic paint, and materials like crackle paste, glass beads, molding paste, or even everyday household objects.
Alongside visual exploration, the residency places a strong emphasis on journaling and free writing as tools for self-expression. Writing prompts and creative exercises help students articulate thoughts and emotions, encouraging meaningful connections between language and art. The residency is easily adaptable to meet the needs of different classrooms. Modifications can be made based on school input to align with specific themes or grade-level curriculum goals.
Artist Background
Maria is a mixed media and fiber artist with a strong focus on art journaling as a pathway to creative expression and personal reflection. She enjoys experimenting with everyday materials, embracing spontaneity and the joy of the unexpected in her creative process. Her business, Relaxing In Art—a wordplay on her nickname, ‘Ria—serves both as a personal brand and a reminder of art’s calming, restorative power. Maria has facilitated a wide range of workshops and artist residencies, working with participants from upper elementary students to senior citizens. She is a teaching artist with the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Durham Arts Council, and the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte, NC. In all her work, Maria encourages a spirit of playfulness as a way to reflect, relate, and release—making art a meaningful and accessible experience for all.
Search Criteria
- Program Type: Workshop/Residency
- Discipline: Visual Arts
- Grade Level: Elementary, High, Middle
- Accepts bookings in Johnston County
