Left to right: TALC program facilitator Isabel Arevalo, participants Lynda Acosta, Boniat Ephrem, Meher Khan, Zamara Cuyún, Whitney Terrill, and program facilitator Nancy Ariza. Not pictured, Constanza Carballo

We are excited to share an update on Highpoint’s newest program, the Teaching Artist Learning Community!

TALC is a paid program designed for early-career Minnesota-based BIPOC artists interested in growing their teaching and studio practice in printmaking.

Six artists were selected this fall to join the inaugural program: Lynda Acosta, Constanza Carballo, Zamara Cuyún, Boniat Ephrem, Meher Khan, and Whitney Terrill.

Over ten weeks, the cohort met weekly with Nancy Ariza, Highpoint’s Artist Education Programs Manager, and Isabel Arevalo, Teen and Adult Programs Intern, for printmaking instruction and discussions on pedagogy and professional practice skills of being a teaching artist to develop their printmaking workshops.

They received instruction in drypoint intaglio, water-soluble monotype, and relief printing, as well as access to Highpoint’s Sampler Sessions and private instruction from programming staff. Discussion topics included writing a teaching philosophy statement; introduction to pedagogy and teaching artist professional practice; lesson plan writing and Backward Design, scaffolding, and differentiation; elevation; building a positive classroom culture; creating resources and aides; and reviewing and negotiating contracts.

The cohort visited Mia’s Print Study Room to expand their knowledge of contemporary printmakers and met guest artist and educator Melodee Strong, who shared professional advice and feedback on their teaching philosophy statements.

This spring, the cohort members will lead printmaking workshops between February and May at Highpoint and offsite at partner organizations. They will also exhibit their work from April to June in the Threshold Gallery. The exhibition entitled Reflected Impressions, Endless Possibilities will feature new work by the cohort members inspired by their teaching philosophies and reflections on participating in TALC.

This program is generously supported by the Minnesota State Arts Board 2024 Creative Support Grant.

Join us on June 5, 6-8 PM, for Ink and Insights: Conversations with Highpoint’s Teaching Artist Learning Community to meet the artists and celebrate their achievements.

Keep an eye on our upcoming classes to take a workshop with a cohort member: highpointprintmaking.org/classes