The Intersections Project
At Atkins High School, we know that the Arts and STEM programs should exist together. We know that the best engineers, scientists, and surgeons are often artistically gifted. When it comes to creative problem solving, it helps to tap into a well-developed set of creative skills.
The Intersections Project (TIP) is a collaborative initiative launched by the Southeaster Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System (WS/FCS), and the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. Through the Intersections Project, we were fortunate to host a residency from Nov. 7-10 with Kiel Johnson a Los Angeles-based artist. Kiel engineers whimsical and functional sculptures such as oversized printing presses and armies of futuristic art-bots from cardboard and other humble materials. His inventive works will be on view in SECCA's Paperless exhibition(April - September 2012). SECCA has invited Johnson to participate in The Intersections Project, a program with WS/FCS that brings artists and classroom educators together to develop arts-integrated lesson plans. During the residency, Johnson encouraged Atkins students to think creatively and resourcefully to create art-bot sculptures and costumes from every day materials. Students used their personalized art-bots in narratives and short films, such as a life-size chess battle, and a “Day in the Life .… at Atkins High School.” All lesson plans resulting from this experience are broadcast to educators across the State on SECCA’s TIP website, www.theintersectionsproject.org.
