Individual Archives - ArtsEdConnect.org

Share

Joan DiStefano Ruiz

MAÂ Studio Arts, Steinhardt School of Education, New York UniversityÂ 1999 BFAÂ Painting, San Francisco Art Institute California Teaching Credential,Â Art, San Francisco State University ARTSÂ CONNECT: Artist for Arts Council Silicon Valley, 2000-2013 Projects include”Â Mosaic furniture, Santa Clara Community School, and Enterprise Academy Mosaic Sign – Blue Ridge High School Masks- Osborne School Masks- Ridgemont High School Ornaments- Independence High School Murals on canvas- Muriel Wright Fused glass totem sculpture- Santa Clara Community School Masks- Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall Claywork and mixed media art – Osborne School Book making project- Osborne School

Peopleologie: Hands-on History, Humanities & Handcraft

Peopleologie is a hands-on cross-curricular program about people, places, and things. Peopleologie brings the field trip to you by: – Promoting cultural literacy, celebrate community, and build connections to the world through history, humanities, math, all the sciences, and handcraft traditions – Treating participants to an inside look at ancient and contemporary traditional life around the world through culturally significant objects and methods for creating by hand – Providing interactive slide shows, touchable artifacts, and hands-on activities – Designing workshop series fostering cultural awareness and bringing the study of peoples and cultures alive – Offer 35+ workshops for all ages and learning styles – For detailed information on each workshop and more, please visit the website.

Venus Jones - Poet and Professor

Venus Jones is more than an author, actress, professor, and poet. She’s a social change agent waging peace through poetry. She writes and speaks about empowerment, diversity, and being true to yourself. As a writing coach and performer, she inspires individuals to rise to their highest potential. She has been compared to Maya Angelou and praised by Whoopi Goldberg and poet Nikki Giovanni. The Langston Hughes Family Museum even referred to Venus as, “Langston Hughes in the form of a black girl.” With an MFA in English and Creative Writing from Mills College, she’s a MALI Fellow and serves as a board member for Poetry Center San Jose. This former MTV intern and accomplished actress also opened for Def Poetry on Broadway. Her play “Race and War: An Awkward Conversation” was featured at the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival, and “Poetic Soldier” was awarded “Most Inspiring Solo Performance” at the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival. She is the author of four spoken word albums and two books: “She Rose” and “Lyrics for Langston.” Her favorite quote is by Alice Walker: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Visit venusjones.com.