Art programs for 3,500 in-need New York children

 Arts for All regularly provides artistic workshops at Children’s Village Shelter, a sanctuary for runaway and homeless teenagers in Westchester. On October 15^th, Melissa Smith taught a Creative Movement Workshop for the teenagers in the shelter. The workshop consisted of physical warm ups with an emphasis on isolations and personal awareness, authentic movement exercises, interpreting photos into movement and words, room writing exercises, a cool down with physical awareness and relaxation, then finally a talkback. They explored moving their bodies in unconventional ways and Melissa encouraged her students to do things they had never done before and to move out of their comfort zones. They were absolutely willing and participated with enthusiasm! The group was also encouraged to talk about positive things they noticed in their peers and to verbalize their personal responses to the exercises. The take-away from the workshop was that if you don’t have paints or pencils to express yourself creatively, your body is your instrument. You always have it with you so take care of it!