10/06/2026
Today we are premiering Lesson 2 of our new Virtual Classroom video series "Art as Storytelling"
Lesson 2 of Art as Storytelling: paper collage - Led by Teaching Artist Ciara Ruddock, artists will create a paper collage, selecting paper in colors that align and design 3-4 symbols to cut out and repeat around the page. The lesson will end with optional key to describe the meaning of each symbol.
"Art as Storytelling" is a series of guided visual art activities to encourage emotional expression and explore internal dialogue. Intended to teach the artist how to make art using a story, situation, or feeling that we may be unable to express with words.
Each piece will begin with a grounding body scan, followed by art making, and will end with a series of ways to continue the process - such as adding a writing component, sharing, or simply releasing your work into the world.
Ciara Ruddock is a contemporary visual artist living and working in Brooklyn, New York. Her primary interest lies in abstraction and gestural expression working in the mediums of painting and drawing. Ciara is passionate about inclusive art education and has worked with museums, schools and private institutions throughout the United States to develop accessible arts programming for children and adults alike.
Through our Artistic Residency Program, AFA’s professional artists teach music, theater, dance, visual art, poetry and film workshops to under-served children aged 4-19. AFA partners with public schools and community organizations lacking funding for arts programming. We work with the needs of our partnering organizations to provide arts programs for the length of time, age groups and artistic disciplines they request.
AFA's Artistic Residency Program is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
AFA's Artistic Residency Program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
AFA's Artistic Residency Program is supported in part by a grant from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation.
About Arts For All: Arts For All’s mission is to offer accessible artistic opportunities to children in the New York City area who face socio-economic, physical, or emotional barriers to exploring the arts. Through Arts For All, professional artists work with youth organizations to build Arts For All’s Core Values: Self-Confidence, Self-Expression, Teamwork, Resilience, and Creativity.
