“I Was Here”
Utilizing the Arts to Increase Self-Confidence
Initials are an often-overlooked element of our daily lives, usually utilized quickly in paperwork, as a way of saying, “I’ve seen this,” or “I approve.” Frequently, they might be employed by children in graffiti, or quick carvings into a tree or schooldesk, a shorthand for “I’ve been here.” These are counterintuitively powerful statements–brief but meaningful ways of asserting one’s existence.
Donna Little is well aware of the power of these little pairs of characters, which is why she focused her recent residency at Pathways Adolescent Center on creating works of art that featured them prominently. Pathways is a residential treatment facility in Oil City, PA, which specializes in supporting adolescents with behavior, mental health, and addiction challenges. When planning the residency, William “Bumper” Woods, Pathways’ Director of Education, told Donna he hoped the program would accomplish two things: increase the students’ self-confidence; and equip them with a sense of teamwork.
Donna, a metalsmith who has been a teaching artist with EAC for over twenty years, came up with a project that elegantly met each of these requirements. She had the students sketch abstract designs centered around their initials into copper foil. These tiles would then be hand-embossed (using simple wooden tools, magic makers, and steel wool), and then mounted together into a composite artwork which could be displayed at Pathways. The distinct pieces by each student were meant to boost their individual self-confidence (the “I am” aspect of initials), while the final assemblage would demonstrate teamwork and collectivity.
The program was a great success. “I remember when the residency started, seeing a student with a skeptical look in their eyes,” Donna explains, “and seeing that change as they worked on the piece–when they finally got it done, they couldn’t believe it!” The students clearly took great pride in their work, spending lots of time carefully sketching and embossing each design, and feeling a sense of accomplishment and ownership with the final product. They were excited to continue the project, and share their work with one another and any adults that ventured into their workspace. The leadership at Pathways was enthusiastic when describing how impactful the residency was for their students.
The program had an impression on more than just the students, as it was also a confidence boost for Donna as a teaching artist. “This was the first residency I’ve led in a while,” she explains. “I didn’t renew my teaching artist paperwork the last time it expired, because I thought I might be getting too old to do this work. Having been away for so long, I was apprehensive about starting a new program, but the staff at Pathways was really helpful, and the residency helped me rethink this issue for myself.” Donna felt empowered by the students’ response to her leadership. “I was really appreciative of how the kids responded to me. I feel that they had a great interest in the project, and an interest in doing more.” This eagerness to continue making art inspired Donna. “I don’t know that I ever really had a group of students say that to me. They’ve always been grateful, but it was really nice to see a genuine interest in me coming back.”
Etching one’s initials into a surface is a way of communicating presence, of saying “I was here” or “I mean something.” Through Donna’s residency at Pathways, her leadership and artistic expertise was etched onto the students, and likewise, their gratitude and enthusiasm was etched onto her. –EH
