Reconstructing Cityscapes

Spark Central is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that ignites the creativity, innovation, and imagination necessary for people to forge the path to their best future.We break down barriers to creativity like cost, confidence, and access by offering transformative programs, access to innovative technology, and a welcoming creative community for people of all economic backgrounds.Everyone deserves the opportunity to forge the future they imagine. As a 501(c)3 charitable organization, we rely on the generosity of people like you to keep our membership and programs available at no cost so income is never a barrier to opportunity.

Spark Central

<H3>THURS MAY 14, 21, & 28  ·  6 - 8 PM  ·  Three Session Online Workshop </H3>
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Teens & Adults · Come dip your toes into the world of critical theory and how it can be used to evaluate our world. This three session workshop will cover introductions to critical ways of looking at texts and media, and conclude with you creating a city based on your own experiences, values, and imagination!
At its heart, critical theory is a process of reading and observing that seeks to move beyond the obvious meanings of a text, conversation, song, advertisement, article, etc. It is an energizing process that allows you to deeply question the messages you are receiving and the purposes behind them. 
Too often, critical theory is inaccessible either because its conversations are only happening at universities or because the resources dedicated to it are weighed down by unnecessarily confusing language, or behind pay walls. This three day, introductory course will provide tools for embracing critical thinking and addressing questions such as: What is theory? What does it mean to think critically? and, How can this impact my life? We will also explore brief foundations in several schools of critical and cultural theory.
Beyond critically thinking about what we see and read, critical theory can also help us to imagine new futures. To make this tangible, the course will culminate in each participant applying theoretical tools to the creation of an art or literary project. The prompt for this project will be to design new cities that we want to live in. We will consider how public spaces are created, often unintentionally, with underlying assumptions and biases. Our cities, then, will be created intentionally, drawing on participants' lived experiences, talents, and imagination. Your city can have one million citizens, or one. It can be the size of a country, or the size of a bedroom. We'll consider what flexible boundaries surrounding places would mean. Ideally, participants will come away feeling more empowered to be active readers of their own lives and to start building civic spaces that work for them. 
This workshop will be facilitated by local writer Lauren Gilmore. 
In light of the current global pandemic, this workshop will be offered online. It will utilize <A HREF="https://www.sutori.com/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sutori</A> as a collaborative platform for posting projects, sharing resources, and engaging in written discussion. Participants who are available will also be invited to three weekly, one-hour sessions over video conferencing to further discuss ideas, learn discursively, and provide support to one another during this particularly isolating time.
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Once you register through Eventbrite you will be sent an email before the first session with information on how to join through <A HREF="https://zoom.us/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Zoom</A>!
 
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F.A.Q.
Do I have to register to come? Yes, you must register to come as workshops have a limited number of spots. 
How do I register? Register via our <A HREF="http://sparkcentral.eventbrite.com/" TARGET="_blank">Eventbrite</A> page (if you're reading this, then you're in the right spot!). If there is a cost involved with the workshop, Eventbrite will walk you through the steps to pay for the workshop with a credit card. If you do not own a credit card, email programs@spark-central.org and we'll get you registered. 
Who is welcome at workshops? Does one have to have a certain skill level or be a certain age? Spark Central prides itself on bringing together beginners, professionals, and everyone in-between.  Teens 16+ are welcome to register for workshops. We prefer children under 16 register for playshops instead of workshops, but we are open to discussing unique circumstances.
I can only come to some of the sessions of this workshop. Should I still register? We ask that you register if you can attend all sessions of the workshop. Spots are limited and multi-session workshops build on skills learned in previous sessions. If you become ill after registering or an emergency arises, please contact programs@spark-central.org.
What do I need to bring to this workshop? Usually, any items you are expected to bring are listed in the workshop description. If you need to bring any special items with you to the workshop, you will receive those instructions in a separate email a week or so prior to the event.
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event? There is free two-hour parking behind the Spark Central building and 90-minute street parking on Summit Parkway. There is a bus stop on the corner of Summit and Monroe.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions? Contact programs@spark-central.org with questions.

Drat! You missed it. If this event has not passed, please register for the waitlist — just click on the green "REGISTER" button at the top right corner of this page, look for the "WAITLIST" button and enter your information. We'll contact you if we are able to squeeze you in! 

If no "WAITLIST" button appears, our waitlist is also full. Do not despair — we have many other adventures in store! Visit spark-central.org to see our full calendar of events.

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Reconstructing Cityscapes

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