Comics, Cartoons and Stop-Motion Animation

Last month, our Comics, Cartoons and Stop-Motion Animation workshop provided a wonderful opportunity for adults on the autism spectrum to express themselves creatively, explore their talents and practice social skills together. Sharing this popular area of interest with others created a positive, encouraging environment where participants could engage with their peers, build friendships and GROW! We asked some of the attendees to share their experiences with us. 

BRANDON (Assistant Media Lab Instructor, former SEEDs participant)
Instructing at a community event does raise the bar when you are learning to be a teacher. Given that I was teaching stop motion animation at our Comics & Cartoons Workshop, it was quite a surprise to see participants take part in the class. Seeing seventeen guests coming to the event and feeling excited about animating sure was a challenge as most were not familiar with the medium.

It was an honor having Scott Pfister (Media Lab Instructor) aboard and a big help with Jake and Ethan.  In my experience with the pair, Ethan is quite a tech wizard and Jake has the potential to become a director. Our crew was wonderful given that we were sparking creative fires for the visitors of our workshop.  That itself was a success, and that the individuals that joined us had a hand at making a short video with the figures that were used for the set portion. The intent was that they were to have fun and learn something new, itself being quite an accomplishment. Overall, the event was successful and I hope to do more teaching on the medium.

JAKE M. (Workshop Co-Facilitator and SEEDs participant)
On Saturday February 16th I co-led the Stop-Motion Animation Workshop event at Seeds for Autism. I taught the participants how to build a set for stop motion-animation. Other instructors included Brandon, Ethan, and the Seeds Video Lab Instructor Scott. In addition to set building, participants got hands on experience with handling lego characters and moving them through a sequence in order to create a movie. Students also got to see a demonstration of the editing process. Being a leader felt good because I got to show people an interesting movie making skill which is also an art form.

CHRIS M.
I went to the Comics, Cartoons and Stop-Motion Animation Workshop on Saturday, the 19th of February. In the Comics section, I helped show my group how to tell a story in comic strip form. Then we made our own comic strips. I recreated a scene from the new HellBoy movie that is coming soon. Next, in the Cartoons section, we did paintings of pop art sound effects. My painting was a lightning bolt with the words “Thunder Strike”.

And finally, in the Stop-Motion section, we learned how to make animations using toys and puppets. I was helping Brandon the instructor with doing an animated short with LEGOs while everyone else was learning from the videos. The workshop overall was pretty neat and I look forward to what they’ll come up with in the next workshop.

JEFF
I was at the Comics workshop. I participated in all three events: comic strips, pop art and stop motion animation. I especially enjoyed the beautifully done “Mer-Mom” short shown as an example. All together I’d say this was a pretty educating experience. I can’t say what I learned in words but doing it helped me, let’s say, flow with it.

 

 

JOEL
I went to the Comics, Cartoons and Animation workshop. I drew backgrounds and made stories with cartoon characters. I made a painting that said POW! I made LEGO animation. I had fun.

SONJA
Last month I attended a Seeds for Autism workshop that was about the art of making comics, cartoons and stop motion. I started with how to create a comic strip and how to set up a scene adding in the characters you want to use and how to make a smooth transition from panel to panel. The next class was a painting class. We were painting the sound effects that writers in comics used to emphasize the weight of the situation to get the reader more attached to the characters they love. Finally there was the stop motion class where I learned how to manipulate the model to get the exact shot you want and how it takes patience, time and effort to make your stop motion film the way the creator intended it to be. The classes were really fun and I enjoyed myself a lot. I hope to do more workshops in the future.

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Painting/Block-Printing Workshop at SEEDS for Autism

At SEEDs for Autism, our ongoing series of workshops provide new opportunities to empower our participants and encourage them to GROW! These talented young adults gain confidence as they share their skills with others, engage with the community and assist our staff during these inspiring interactive events. Last month, SEEDs participants Camille and Jake co-facilitated our Painting and Block Printing Side by Side workshop which was open to the community.

CAMILLE 
My name is Camille and I helped teach a painting workshop at SEEDS. On that day, I passed out the canvases to each person and I also designed the project everybody was working on. I designed a bird in its nest and everybody drew and painted it. I made sure everybody had clean water, helped them pick their paint and offered suggestions to make their drawings and paintings look better. I felt quite happy, confident and I look forward to teaching another painting class at SEEDS.

JAKE M. 
On Saturday, January 26th I led a block printing workshop at Seeds for Autism. The theme was birdhouses. The students had the opportunity to learn from scratch. After the students made their birdhouse designs they printed them on greeting cards. I felt really good about the workshop because I got to pass on a skill to others.

SONJA
On Saturday the 26th of January Seeds hosted a whimsical Bird painting class open to the community. The Instructors for the class were Michele, who is also the Newsroom instructor, Richard and Camille. The process was first drawing out your idea on a piece of paper using a template as a guide in creating the bird. Next we began to sketch our drawings onto the canvas. Then we picked out the colors we wanted for our paintings. I did the bird first then the background and finally the little details to make it my own. It was a fun day and I can’t wait for the next painting class at Seeds.

CHRIS M.
I had a nice experience working at the Printmaking Workshop last Saturday. This was my very first time doing physical print designs that we put on cards. I was a little unsure about making prints at first, but I tired it out anyway. I learned how to carve out a design on an art plate called linoleum, then I learned how to paint the linoleum design with a roller and lastly I stamped the design onto some cards to finish and take home. I designed a greeting card with video game character Crash Bandicoot in it. I would like to try new things in future workshops.

 Painting workshop participants pose with their beautiful artwork!

Print-making participants and their wonderful handmade greeting cards!

Feathered Friends: A SIDE by SIDE Community Workshop at SEEDs for Autism

At SEEDs for Autism, our ongoing series of workshops provide new opportunities to empower our participants and encourage them to GROW. These talented young adults gain confidence interacting with the community as they assist our staff during these educational and inspirational events. We hope you will join us this Saturday to explore your creativity, make new friends and be part of this life-changing experience!

Click HERE to purchase tickets and reserve your spot today!

 

 

Holiday Sale and Open House

Why is it important to Cooperate?

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”– Helen Keller

Cooperation builds communication skills, boosts self-confidence and teaches us to work together as a team. At SEEDs for Autism, we understand that learning to cooperate with others is an important skill that promotes higher achievement and cultivates positive relationships in all areas of life. We asked SEEDs participants to share their thoughts on this important topic.

CHRIS M.
When you decide to cooperate with another person on a big project, you two are helping each other with putting the finishing touches on that same project. Whenever you see someone in need of getting the job done, you help that someone finish up whatever task they were given. When you are finished with helping that someone with some task, that would make you supportive.

MATTHEW
Sometimes it’s not enough to do something on your own. Maybe it takes more than one person. Maybe you’re stuck in a tight situation and need help. Sometimes the problem can be solved before it even happens. These are only some of the many reasons why cooperation is important in a working environment. It may not always be easy, but it’s worth putting in the effort to get the job done faster and in much better quality. The more times people cooperate, the more they will trust, understand, and rely on each other for help.

BRIANNA
It is important for you to cooperate because when you work together it makes it easier, and not only that, the project can be done a lot faster. When nobody cooperates, it makes the task a lot harder than it needs to be.

SAM
Cooperation is very important because humans are social animals. Without cooperation things like society, languages, and basically everything that makes up our daily lives would not have been created. Some people like to brag about how they never needed help from anyone or say it’s “every man for himself”, but that is never true. They were raised by people who cared for them when they were young, went to schools taught by people who were in turn taught by other people, they eat food bought from stores which were bought from farms, the very concept of buying something came from our society’s decision to place a specific value on pieces of otherwise useless paper. Everyday we cover the weak points of other humans while they help us cover ours, in large ways like with doctors treating patients to small ways like helping someone carry a heavy object. While you do not have to cooperate with everyone, to refuse to ever cooperate is to devalue all the effort put forth by other humans both currently living and in the past.

ALOHA DAYS at SEEDs for Autism!

FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!

Join us for a Hawaiian themed summer celebration of family and friends at Seeds for Autism!

This special Saturday event is open to those on the autism spectrum, their families, friends and the community!

Put on your Hawaiian shirts and get ready for a fun filled family event celebrating ALOHA DAYS at SEEDs for Autism!

At SEEDs for Autism we are happy to provide organized recreational activities in a structured, supportive environment where we can come together as a community, celebrate summer and have FUN! This family friendly event is a wonderful opportunity to empower those on the autism spectrum to explore their creativity, share new experiences, connect with others and GROW! Join us for ALOHA DAYS, make new friends, create lasting memories and be part of the celebration!

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.seedsforautism.org/events/

Live Blogging the SEEDs for Autism Art Jam!

Jonatan C. in the photo booth at the SEEDs for Autism Art Jam

MAY 5 2018: 10am – 3pm

Participants at SEEDs for Autism held a live blogging event at the 2018 Spring Art Jam! 

10:00 – Michele (instructor)

The Art Jam is starting! So many people are showing up to spend the day at SEEDs!

10:12 – Sydney

There are lots of people shopping.

10:35 – Michele (instructor)

A full class for the Blacksmithing workshop!

The Metals workshop is just about to begin. SEEDs participants are ready to share their skills with the community and teach people how to create a twisted metal bracelet!

10:43 – Sydney

Since we opened, there have been a lot of purchases.

11:00 – Michele (instructor)

Lenny (instructor) supervises during the Blacksmithing workshop.

Derrick is assisting workshop attendees in Metals.

11:14 – Michele (instructor)

The woodturning workshop is busy this morning!

So many people wood turning! Jesse Dean is working one-on-one with workshop attendees as they woodturn their own pens on the lathe!

Smile!

11:29 – Sonja

Just did my first tour and it was a lot of fun. I showed the people around telling them about the workshops.  I also showed them the products we sell.

11:34 – Michele (instructor)

Andy is taking a break from doing the weaving demonstration. He is keeping me company at the Newsletter station.

12:22 – Jesse & Jessica

Hanging out at the Newsletter station. 🙂

12:36 – Daniel N.

I had Irma’s for lunch: rice and beans and tacos. It tasted good.

12:51 –  Daniel N.

The check out station is ready for customers!

I observed Jessica taking payments and people are shopping at Seeds.

1:29 – Jared

I was weaving a green scarf.

1:30 – Nathan

Jessica shows workshop attendees how to wood turn their own pen.

I observed Jessica and Jonatan doing the woods demonstration.

1:50 – Nathan

I observed Brain T. eating from Irma’s Kitchen.

2:07 – Nathan

Jake assists Bailey (instructor) for the print making workshop.

I observed Jake helping out with the print making workshop.

2:25 – Nathan

Jeff provides one-on-one instruction.

I observed Jeff working in jewelry.

2:29 – Daniel N.

I observed Nate’s mom buying pillows from the sewing dept.

2:39 – Michele

Things are winding down at the Art Jam. It has been a wonderful day!

Happy faces at the Jewelry Workshop!

2:42 – Daniel N.

I observed people using baskets to shop.

2:45- Daniel N.

Thanks everyone for coming to the Seeds Art Jam!

Participants at SEEDs take turns blogging.

Empowering Families at SEEDs for Autism

Jennifer Espinoza, BCBA/LBA working with families at SEEDs for Autism

SEEDs for Autism is proud to be one of the leading Phoenix resources for autism support, information and connection. We offer monthly educational lectures for parents/guardians of adults on the autism spectrum to learn more about topics related to autism. 

February’s Educational Lecture & Workshop: Using Positive Behavior Support Strategies to Increase Your Adult/Young Adult’s Motivation

Jennifer Espinoza, BCBA/LBA worked with a group of parents/guardians for a unique and educational experience at SEEDs for Autism. During the lecture, Jennifer provided valuable insights and demonstrated useful tips on how to use positive behavior support strategies to increase their child’s motivation. These research-based methods are empowering for those on the autism spectrum: providing choices which result in a greater sense of independence and engagement.

Afterwards, Jennifer spent time with each family as they worked together on an art project: creating a family banner. This provided an opportunity for parents/guardians to practice these behavioral support strategies in a real-life situation.

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Participants at SEEDs for Autism Share Their Thoughts

My experience at the SEEDs workshop was a really great one! I got to work on this really cool project which was a custom family banner with hearts that had all our family members on it, decorated with stamps and other add-ons. It was a little difficult at first, but as soon as me, my mom and sister got working hard together on it, we got the hang of it, and I started to enjoy the project even more! The banner turned out awesome in the end! I liked it!   -Brianna

David and his parents

I created a red and purple  family banner that has our family’s name on it. My red and purple family banner also has the names of my twin nieces. I had to cut 3 hearts and pinned 2 of the hearts but sewed the 3rd to the banner. I also had to sew the top of the banner around the wood dowel. My family helped me create the family banner by helping me sew the hearts and the top onto the banner around the wood dowel.

-David

 

While parents/guardians attended the lecture, their loved ones participated in an engaging session of Improv  with their peers led by SEEDs instructor, Amy.

I had fun. I pretended to drink hot cocoa. I was a tree and played catch with an invisible ball. Then I made a banner with my mom. I used scissors to cut out hearts. -Daniel Ch.

Daniel and his mom

SEEDs for Autism exists to serve our local Phoenix autism community. These monthly educational lectures are intended for parents and guardians in our autism community and are an opportunity for us to help provide resources and education.

If you would like to learn more about this life-changing program, please visit our website:

seedsforautism.org

Creative Canvas Workshop: Making Vision Boards With Jeff and Camille

A creative, fun-filled Saturday morning at SEEDs for Autism!

At SEEDs for Autism, our ongoing series of workshops provide new opportunities to empower our participants and encourage them to GROW. These talented young adults gain confidence interacting with the community as they assist our staff during these educational and inspirational events!

At SEEDs, participants learn by DOING, so Camille and Jeff created their own Vision Boards in preparation for this workshop. By experiencing the process themselves, Jeff and Camille became familiar with the different techniques and understood how each step led to the next. Through this experience, they gained confidence and looked forward to sharing their knowledge with the community.  Jeff and Camille SHINED as they utilized their social skills – welcoming guests, using their words to encourage others and providing instruction to the workshop attendees.

“Jeff and Camille were very helpful and professional. This was a very organized event and I had a great time making my vision board!”

— Richard Bledsoe (Workshop attendee)

The event was a great success! Congratulations to Jeff and Camille on a job well done!

Camille stands by, offering encouragement and guidance

 

Jeff demonstrates how to add items to the vision board

 

Jeff and Camille standing by, ready to assist workshop attendees

 

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Workshop attendees and their beautiful Vision Boards!

For more information on this life-changing program, please visit our website: seedsforautism.org

Educational Lecture: Life Care Planning

“The future depends on what we do in the present.”

Mahatma Gandhi

At SEEDs for Autism we are happy to introduce a series of educational lectures as part of our continuing mission to serve our Phoenix autism community. These free monthly lectures are intended for parents and guardians in our autistic community, and are an opportunity for us to help provide resources and education.

For our January lecture, the topic is Life Care Planning.

At SEEDs, we recognize the importance of planning ahead. Planning for the future enables us be proactive, make long-term decisions and turn our challenges into opportunities.

-How are you going to prepare for your child’s future?
-Is guardianship a necessity?
-What about a Special Needs Trust?

Join Karen Starbowski, CLU ChSNC from MassMutual Arizona for a complimentary workshop, Planning for Your Child’s Future. Parents will learn what steps to take to ensure the future of their child and how to get the plan started.

Thursday, January 25th
6:30-7:30pm
SEEDs For Autism
3420 S 7th St. Phoenix, AZ 85040

Please visit our WEBSITE for more information on upcoming events at SEEDs for Autism