Begin in the Middle: a Beginner's Guide to Journaling with Leslie Hendrickson (She/Her)
Sundays 4:00 pm 5:00 pm CCDT
(adults ages 18+)

$139

Have you ever wanted to start a journal but been scared off by all those blank pages? There are several ways to start, and this class will show you how. Journal entries can be narratives written in a leather-bound blank book or lists jotted down on your phone. They can be letters, data sets or social media posts. Whatever the form, our reflections can help us reconcile the past, process the present and develop new ideas. We will explore several types of journal keeping, from daily observational diaries to therapeutic journaling to Instagram stories. Class time will include exercises and readings, and there will be assignments between classes. Five, one-hour sessions on Zoom: Sundays, 4:00-5:00 p.m. CT Begins June 14, 2020. [Cost: $139. Class limit 10.]

Bio:
Leslie Hendrickson has been journaling since the 1980s, and currently has four types of journal in active rotation. She is also a journalist of a different sort, and her reporting and writing has been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Hollywood Reporter, ARTNews and the late, great Jane magazine, among others. Leslie has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and lives in Manhattan. Since the shelter-in-place mandate went into effect, Leslie has been reorganizing her art supplies, listening to Agatha Christie audiobooks and, of course, writing a lot of anxious journal entries.

“A Place in HERstory: Establishing Agency and Using your Voice in Male-Dominated Spaces"
Samantha Stearns (She/Her)
Wednesdays and Fridays 1:00-2:00 pm CDT

(Ages 13-18)

$225.00

This course focuses on empowering young women to recognize their individual and collective agency in preparation for using their voices in male-dominated spaces. This course will help develop young women’s leadership skills, analyze power dynamics rooted in sexism, and cultivate a strong sense of self so that she never has to silence herself in her personal relationships, academia, or her professional life. As part of this course, we will examine a selection of groundbreaking women who have challenged structures rooted in sexism and racism, focusing on women who have laid foundations of intersectional feminism in their activism. (13-18 year olds)

Bio:
Facilitated by Samantha Stearns (MS in history) 8th grade social studies teacher at Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest, Illinois. Samantha has written for The American Historical Association ​and is currently working on publication of her thesis project, “Foreign Affairs: The Council on Foreign Relations and the Shaping of the Foreign Policy Establishment Discourse, 1921-1950.” As an 8th grade social studies teacher, she has implemented social studies-focused extracurriculars such as Mock Trial, Stock Market Club, and History By Hollywood Club and is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment.

Global ARTventures!
With Lindsay J. (She/Her)

Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-3PM CDT

Ages 10-14
$225

Stuck at home but love to travel? Come with us on a virtual trip around the world to explore artworks and artists from all over the globe! Create works inspired by places near and far, while learning how to develop your own style. Each class will include an artist spotlight, technique demonstrations, guided practice to grow your skills, and time to share and gain feedback. Includes additional extension activities for diving deeper into cultural appreciation.

Bio:

Artist, educator of 16 years, and citizen of the world, Lindsay appreciates creativity wherever she can find it! Her most recent favorite piece of art is a beaded Cape Buffalo trophy head purchased in South Africa. When not eTeaching and eLearning with her children, Lindsay is spending Quarantine 2020 painting. See more of her work in the classroom and the studio at chicagolindsay.weebly.com​.

College Essays + The Story of YOU With Tara Zinger (She/Her)

Tuesdays and Thursdays10:30 am -12:00 pm CDT

(ages 16+)

Staring at a blank screen, not knowing how to tell a story that will help get you into college? If so, you are not alone! Finding your authentic voice and sharing it in an enrolling way are some of the hardest things to do. They are also at the heart of the college entrance essay + this course. This virtual workshop focuses on storytelling techniques + generating authentic content. Our supportive environment will give the boost you need to write a variety of personal essay stories, and build a portfolio of story ideas for future use. This course is not about the editing process, so you are free to explore writing a variety of tales that help tell the Story of You. In the end, you will have a bank of ideas + plenty of personal essay writing practice to approach college essay prompts on your own confidently.

Bio:

Chasing Story Founder + Public School teacher of 16 years, Tara Zinger (she/her) has a special place in her heart for storytelling. Connection + Amplification are at the heart of her life + her work and you will feel this in every course you take with her.

“A Place in HERstory: Establishing Agency and Using your Voice in Male-Dominated Spaces"
Samantha Stearns (She/Her)
Wednesdays and Fridays 1:00-2:00 pm CDT

(Ages 13-18)

$225.00

This course focuses on empowering young women to recognize their individual and collective agency in preparation for using their voices in male-dominated spaces. This course will help develop young women’s leadership skills, analyze power dynamics rooted in sexism, and cultivate a strong sense of self so that she never has to silence herself in her personal relationships, academia, or her professional life. As part of this course, we will examine a selection of groundbreaking women who have challenged structures rooted in sexism and racism, focusing on women who have laid foundations of intersectional feminism in their activism. (13-18 year olds)

Bio:
Facilitated by Samantha Stearns (MS in history) 8th grade social studies teacher at Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest, Illinois. Samantha has written for The American Historical Association ​and is currently working on publication of her thesis project, “Foreign Affairs: The Council on Foreign Relations and the Shaping of the Foreign Policy Establishment Discourse, 1921-1950.” As an 8th grade social studies teacher, she has implemented social studies-focused extracurriculars such as Mock Trial, Stock Market Club, and History By Hollywood Club and is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment.

Owning our Narrative

With Katherine Lofton (She/Her)

Monday and Wednesday from 11am - noon CST

June 13th - July 13th

The Chasing Story summer workshop series presents: "Owning Our Narrative". This virtual workshop is designed for 13-19 year-olds who want to explore creative and structured writings from their perspective. Workshop attendees will generate a collection of their own written materials by responding to prompts given by the facilitator. Writers will choose any form of expressive writing they wish, such as poetry, songs, and young adult memoirs.  A virtual showcase of their original work will take place July 15th, 2020. 

Bio:

The series will be facilitated by Katherine L Lofton (she/her). She is a published poet, professional actress, director for children's theater, and teacher.

Tuesdays from 3:00- 4:00 pm CDT

June 16th, 3-4:00 Collaging with Magazines

June 23rd, 3-4:00 Collaging in Nature
June 30th, 3-4:00 Collaging with Paints and Pen

July 7th, 3-4:00 Putting it all Together
(Ages 10-14)

Cost: $159

As a former elementary teacher, this is unquestionably an unprecedented time, especially for our children. Fears, worries and doubts can creep into our children’s minds and hearts, even in the best of times. During this time, especially, children need a creative outlet in order to navigate the hidden worries of the heart. Children often feel like they can not articulate their worries and wonderings and if they can share these things, there may not be a healthy outlet in which they can process their own feelings.

In this class,​ ​you​r child​ will use​ ​his/her​ imagination, along with items found in nature, old magazines, and using a variety of around-the-house supplies, to create collages in which they can more fully express themselves. In each class, I will guide and teach a different technique for creating a new collage. By the end of this class, each child will have a variety of artistic techniques that he/she can use to continue his/her creative expression on their own. Your child will use sensory activities in these collage projects to enhance their sense of visual, touch and fine motor skills. These projects will allow your child to have fun, be a little messy, experience things in his/her environment and feel a sense of accomplishment in creating a piece of work that represents his or her feelings, wonderings and day to day life.

Supply Cost: $0 & up (depending on what you have at home!)
Supply List: A supply suggestion list will be given prior to the start of the first class.

Bio:
Hi! My name is Amy Vaughn (she/her).​ I work full time out of my home art studio where I create, paint, practice both modern and traditional calligraphy and photograph all sorts of miscellaneous and enchanting things that cross my path. ​I am a teacher, writer, artist, mom, daughter, friend and lover of life. I currently live in Champaign IL where I have taught Kindergarten through 2nd grade students in reading and writing, integrating the arts into literacy learning. I have taught multi-age students in a variety of art mediums. I love to read, garden, take walks and help others grow and blossom-whether it is finding their inner creative self or navigating the messy beautifulness of life, which is why I am currently training to be certified in Art Therapy.

Global ARTventures!
With Lindsay J. (She/Her)

Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-3PM CDT

Ages 10-14
$225

Stuck at home but love to travel? Come with us on a virtual trip around the world to explore artworks and artists from all over the globe! Create works inspired by places near and far, while learning how to develop your own style. Each class will include an artist spotlight, technique demonstrations, guided practice to grow your skills, and time to share and gain feedback. Includes additional extension activities for diving deeper into cultural appreciation.

Bio:

Artist, educator of 16 years, and citizen of the world, Lindsay appreciates creativity wherever she can find it! Her most recent favorite piece of art is a beaded Cape Buffalo trophy head purchased in South Africa. When not eTeaching and eLearning with her children, Lindsay is spending Quarantine 2020 painting. See more of her work in the classroom and the studio at chicagolindsay.weebly.com​.

College Essays + The Story of YOU With Tara Zinger (She/Her)

Tuesdays and Thursdays10:30 am -12:00 pm CDT

(ages 16+)

Staring at a blank screen, not knowing how to tell a story that will help get you into college? If so, you are not alone! Finding your authentic voice and sharing it in an enrolling way are some of the hardest things to do. They are also at the heart of the college entrance essay + this course. This virtual workshop focuses on storytelling techniques + generating authentic content. Our supportive environment will give the boost you need to write a variety of personal essay stories, and build a portfolio of story ideas for future use. This course is not about the editing process, so you are free to explore writing a variety of tales that help tell the Story of You. In the end, you will have a bank of ideas + plenty of personal essay writing practice to approach college essay prompts on your own confidently.

Bio:

Chasing Story Founder + Public School teacher of 16 years, Tara Zinger (she/her) has a special place in her heart for storytelling. Connection + Amplification are at the heart of her life + her work and you will feel this in every course you take with her.

Owning our Narrative

With Katherine Lofton (She/Her)

Monday and Wednesday from 11am - noon CST

June 13th - July 13th

The Chasing Story summer workshop series presents: "Owning Our Narrative". This virtual workshop is designed for 13-19 year-olds who want to explore creative and structured writings from their perspective. Workshop attendees will generate a collection of their own written materials by responding to prompts given by the facilitator. Writers will choose any form of expressive writing they wish, such as poetry, songs, and young adult memoirs.  A virtual showcase of their original work will take place July 15th, 2020. 

Bio:

The series will be facilitated by Katherine L Lofton (she/her). She is a published poet, professional actress, director for children's theater, and teacher.

Samantha Sebastian (She/Her) + Tara Zinger (She/Her)

Sundays 10:00 am CDT (time may vary)
Donation Based, All-Levels Class
(Adults)

This workshop is all about accessing written creativity through movement. Certified yoga instructor, Samatha Sebastian, will lead you through 30 minutes of gentle yoga + breathing exercises intended to get your creativity flowing! Then, Chasing Story founder and Amherst Writers + Artists Method instructor, Tara Zinger, will facilitate a generative prompt-writing workshop. Each virtual session will end with an invitation to share your work + an invitation to embrace yourself as “writer.” All levels writers + yogis welcome. All voices are equal here.

Bio:
Meet Samantha Sebastian! Yoga has been shaping my mind, body and heart for 6+ years and has given me a community that feels like home wherever I am in the world. My practice began back in the day as a way to increase my flexibility and complement my strength training as an athlete and runner, but has since become more than just an exercise; it has become my way of life. I completed my Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification in Thailand on the beautiful island of Koh Phangan in January 2019 and now I currently reside in San Francisco where I spend my time working in marketing for a tech company and leading all-levels yoga classes virtually as a way to connect with others and give back to my community.

Bio:

Chasing Story Founder + Public School teacher of 16 years, Tara Zinger (she/her) has a special place in her heart for storytelling. Connection + Amplification are at the heart of her life + her work and you will feel this in every course you take with her.