Imagine Nation Station: Week 1

KICK OFF: EXYO Dance Around the World Challenge

To kick off the IMAGINE NATION STATION, EXYO annual Guest Artist and STOMP member Cammie Griffin has developed fun choreography to Daft Punk’s “Around The World” linked below.

Click HERE for Link to Dance Challenge Video

Over the next few weeks, we challenge YOU – our Express Yourself friends, family, and collaborators –  to learn and film yourself dancing. Send us your videos, and then EXYO will compile all the submissions together to showcase the EXYO dancing community!

Here’s how you can participate: 

  1. Pick your favorite dancing spot: In your living room, bedroom, or backyard!
  2. Learn the choreography
  3. Film Yourself! 
  4. Send it to info@exyo.org or DM us on Facebook or Instagram
  5. Stay tuned to see the final film! 
Photos by Mike Dean www.mikedeanphotos.com

MONDAY: Weekly Art Prompt

WEEK 1: ALIVE

In the spirit of keeping our IMAGINE NATION’S alive and well, our first weekly art prompt is “ALIVE!” 

Were you a part of our 2018 show? Did you see it from the crowd?  Do you have a favorite memory from that performance? Over the next few days think about what makes you feel ALIVE! Using any artistic medium – whether its a drawing, a dance or a rhythm- respond with what makes you feel most ALIVE. Share your responses or drawing with us by emailing info@exyo.org or Facebook @expressyourselfinc.org & Instagram @expressyourselfinc. We can’t wait to see what you create with your IMAGINE NATIONS. 

Here is an example response to ALIVE created with paper, paint and sharpie: 


TUESDAY: Multi-Art Project:

Marble Paper with EXYO Artist Carla

Click HERE for Link to Marble Paper Video

Materials Needed:

 

WEDNESDAY: Virtual Museum Tour

This week we are taking advantage of some of the museums that offer virtual tours! Up first, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Go to: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/van-gogh-museum?hl=en 

You can view the paintings by floor, by collection, or by singular paintings. Here are a few questions to help start your exploration:

Can you find the painting of Vincent Van Gogh’s bedroom? 

Can you find the painting with blue flowers done in oil paint? 

How many self-portraits can you find? Which one is your favorite?

Using a mirror or a phone, take 30 seconds and sketch your own self-portrait. 

Feel free to explore the 150+ paintings and create a piece of artwork inspired by the great Vincent Van Gogh. Share your response with us! #Imaginationstation or by emailing info@exyo.org, Facebook @expressyourselfinc.org & Instagram @expressyourselfinc. 

THURSDAY: EXYO GUEST ARTIST

AMANDA MENA

This is Amanda Mena’s second year collaborating as a Guest Artist with Express Yourself. Amanda Mena is originally from Lynn, MA and was a Golden Buzzer winner on America’s Got Talent. Amanda recently released her first hit single, “Soy Latina” and we would love for you to dance along with her! Click the link below to see a message from Amanda, followed by a step-by-step dance tutorial:

Click HERE for Link to EXYO Dance Tutorial Video

Once you’ve learned it, check out her music video (below) and dance along!

Click HERE for Link to Amanda’s Music Video

Dance break in Music Video: 1:40mins

Dance break in song on Spotify: 1:34mins. 

Additional Creative Resources

Express Yourself Guest Artist: Wes Sam Bruce. 

Check out Wes Sam Bruce’s “Quarantine Dreams” on his Website: livethecuriouslife.com for artmaking/writing prompts, scavenger hunts, films from The Wonder Sound – Adventure Forest -WTQL, meditations, zines, downloadable PDFs and lots more!”

And tune into his live stream at 1 pm from Monday-Friday on Instagram:

Click HERE for Link to Wes’ Instagram 

Looking for more IMAGINE NATION Station activities? Find them all here! 

Week 2: ILLUMINATE with Golden Light Meditation, Mandalas, Sao Palo Museum, and Guests Artist Ricky Duran. Click HERE for WEEK 2

Week 3: Create a Face, Gliterry Rainbow Meditation, Mandalas, National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art, and a Puppet Show. Click HERE for Week 3

Week 4: Zentagling, Connect the Dots, Grand Canyon National Park, and the Around the World Dance Challenge. Click HERE for Week 4 

Week 5: We get wild with Flowers and Leaves, Physical Imagination Journey, Virtual Zoo Visits, and a jungle-themed Puppet Show. Click HERE for Week 5

Week 6: Magazine collaging and self-portraiture, Getty Museum challenge and African Drumming tutorial. Click HERE for Week 6

Week 7: Inner Super Hero Meditation, Super Hero self Puppet, Rhythms with STOMP, Origami Frogs. Click HERE for Week 7

Week 8: Create your own Island, Geometric Birds, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, and Bennett the Puppet visits the Museum. Click HERE for Week 8

Week 9: Show Week! Create your own Pizza, African Drumming with Joh, River Journey with Erin, and ExYo Mentor Christian Cooking Video. Click HERE for Week 9

Week 10: Time for Celebration! EXYO “Come Together” responses, create your own party hats and homemade cupcakes with Mentor Christian! Click HERE for Week 10

Creativity Continues: Take a look at ExYo Youth artwork made from home: Click HERE to see youth art! 

Come Together! Virtual Performance: Take a look at how our youth celebrated the show! Click HERE to see pure kid joy!