Sonia Allen

COLOR QUEST: COLORED PENCIL

This program takes the participant on a color journey, exploring accessible color theory. Using colored pencil, students will execute basic skills, special effects, modeling and texture. The program can be adjusted for various settings and time constraints. This program addresses social emotional learning, critical thinking and problem solving, embodied learning, personal and community self expression, visual thinking strategies, studio habits of mind, teaching for artistic behavior, and discipline based arts education.

Groups served: Schools (elementary/MS, HS), Youth 18-25, Hospitals and/or Cancer patients (outpatient/inpatient), Adults, Community Groups, Libraries.

SKETCHBOOK STORIES

This program guides the learner through design and creation of vivid sketchbook pages. Journaling prompts will be used to initiate creative brainstorming. Students will design page layouts, imagery, and text to tell a visual story. The program can be adjusted for various settings and time constraints. This program addresses social emotional learning, critical thinking and problem solving, embodied learning, personal and community self expression, visual thinking strategies, studio habits of mind, teaching for artistic behavior, and discipline based arts education.

Groups served: Schools (elementary/MS, HS) Youth 18-25 Hospitals and/or Cancer patients (outpatient/inpatient) Adults Community Groups Libraries

WATERCOLOR WONDERS

This program introduces students to watercolor painting as they explore and execute basic skills and special effects. Students will learn foundational color theory as they mix and glaze colors in guided exercises. The program can be adjusted for various settings and time constraints. This program addresses social emotional learning, critical thinking and problem solving, embodied learning, personal and community self expression, visual thinking strategies, studio habits of mind, teaching for artistic behavior, and discipline based arts education.

Groups served: Schools (elementary/MS, HS) Youth 18-25 Hospitals and/or Cancer patients (outpatient/inpatient) Adults Community Groups Libraries

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About Sonia

As a painter, printmaker, and sketchbook artist, I have taught throughout the Willamette Valley since 1998. With Salem Art Association I have taught in schools and summer art camps, and facilitated art at Salem Hospital’s Cancer Center. At Ash Creek Arts Center, I teach adult art workshops in a variety of mediums. Over the years, the Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, has used me to facilitate art activities for Art Camps, the Museum Docent Program, and for Family Art Days. I love to travel and have led youth and young adult art sessions on international ministry trips. In 2017 I was awarded a grant to use art and science to educate children in Pierce County WA about invasive weeds, and in 2022 I taught at Kraxberger Middle School Oregon City as part of a grant from the Lake Oswego Center for the Arts.

ARTIST STATEMENT

As an artist, I seek out and explore doorways into pockets of unexpected beauty. When painting, I use brush or palette knife to tell a story and coax a vision to life. In printmaking I work on a gelatin or metal printing plate. Transferring images layer by layer to paper results in a one-of-a-kind original piece. My sketchbook is my playground. I document travels, explore techniques, capture intriguing images, and draft ideas. I seek out beauty in this life to translate that experience to an accessible format for others. As a teacher, I get to share this vision and the joy of artistic discovery and expression.