In December of 2012, Conscious Alliance partnered with the Stronghold Society to host the second installment of our ‘Art That Feeds’ Youth Workshops. We brought in our friend, artist, and supporter Michael Boyer of Boyer Apparel and Screen Printing, along with artist and screen printer Nick Doyle, to take a group of twelve Denver youth through the entire screen-printing process from beginning to end.

The day began with introductions around the room and a Lakota prayer led by Walt Pourier, Conscious Alliance Advisory Board member and head of the Stronghold Society, a nonprofit organization based out of Colorado dedicated to instilling hope and supporting youth movements. He encouraged the group to think about the idea of movement and community within their generation. This is the theme they would each use as a source of creative inspiration and an idea we would return to throughout the day.

Once everyone in the group created their own unique image, we scanned each of their drawings into the computer. As Michael Boyer manipulated each image in Adobe Illustrator, the group came together to decide which drawings complemented each other and combined the twelve drawings into three cohesive, collaborative graphics.

We were able to use Michael Boyer’s portable screen-printing press to accomplish the actual printing segment of the process. The group learned to how to transfer their images onto the printing screens, how to apply the ink, and finally how to print their designs onto t-shirts. Everyone left the workshop with a shirt they partnered with the other participants to design.

The workshop was a true lesson in teamwork and collaboration within the creative process, and we are thrilled to have been a part of it. We met some incredible young artists and were able to help them nurture their passion to create something together and thrive in their own unique abilities.

 Big thanks to everyone who made this very special workshop possible!

 The Stronghold Society

Michael Boyer

Nick Doyle

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