Timothy Bellavia- LGBT History and Community Rights

Timothy Bellavia is a fabric artist, art educator and children’s author. He received the prestigious “Innovative Educator Research Grant” from the US Office of Elementary & Secondary Education that implements teaching mathematics through music (and dolls). Timothy is also an Assistant Professor within the Graduate School of Education at Touro College and University System in New York City and a Flushing Town Hall Space Grant Awardee. He is perhaps best known for his “We Are All The Same Inside ® doll-making” workshop that celebrates our common humanity.


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WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Beyond the Surface: Exploring Teen Emotions with We Are All the Same Inside ®  Sage Dolls 

This hands-on workshop invites teens  to engage in a creative process using pre-made We Are All the Same Inside ® Sage dolls. Participants will personalize their doll to visually represent the image they project to the outside world. Through this artistic expression, the workshop will facilitate an exploration of the complex emotions and inner experiences that may or may not be transparent in their outward presentation. By manipulating materials and reflecting on their creations, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of their own emotional landscape and celebrate our shared human experience. 

1-3 Learning Objectives 

1. New York State Arts Learning Standards for Visual Arts (Creating): 

  • Standard 1: Create original works of art that communicate ideas, experiences, and feelings. 

  • Connection: The core of the workshop involves participants creating a personalized sage doll. This act of creation directly aligns with this standard as they visually represent their "outer world" and, by extension, explore their "inner experiences and feelings" through the symbolic representation of the doll. The manipulation of materials to personalize the doll is a fundamental aspect of visual art creation. 

2. New York State Social Emotional Learning Benchmarks (Self-Awareness): 

  • Benchmark: Identify and describe one's own emotions and how they influence behavior. 

  • Connection: The workshop explicitly aims to facilitate an "exploration of complex emotions and inner experiences." By creating a visual representation of their outward projection, participants are encouraged to reflect on the contrast between this external image and their internal emotional landscape. This process fosters self-awareness by prompting them to identify and consider the influence of their emotions, whether transparent or hidden, on their outward presentation. 

3. New York State Core Curriculum for Health Education (Mental Health): 

  • Standard: Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and identify resources for seeking help. 

  • Connection: While not directly focused on identifying mental health challenges, the workshop creates a safe and creative space for teens to explore their emotional landscape. This act of self-reflection and expression can be a crucial step in understanding their own mental and emotional well-being. Furthermore, the context of a Youth Mental Health Symposium implicitly connects this activity to the broader conversation about mental health awareness and the importance of understanding one's inner self. The presence of parent coordinators also suggests an aim to foster open communication and support around emotional well-being within families.