Partnership with NOMAD for LGBTQ (+ Ally) Youth

I am honored to partner up with NOMAD Art Bus for this upcoming project.

In the Spring of 2017 I will lead alongside co-lead NOMAD instructor artist Sara Norine James a group of approximately 10 LGBTQ Youths on a 5-week expressive arts program. The workshop will take place at Studios at 5663. For the first 4 weeks Sara and I will provide instruction and guidance as the students create stylized self-portraits. All creative decisions will be made by the students.
On the fifth week an exhibit and opening reception celebrating the youth participants and their works will be held at COVE, where artist Derek Donnelly and Public Art Project will graciously provide gallery space. This will be the first (of hopefully many) artist-led programs directly impacting and benefiting immediate and neighboring youth and community held at the Pinellas Arts Village.

-10 student participants, ages 12-18 per session (approximately)

-Two teaching artists

-One 2hr session per week

-Five week session (1-4 instruction/creative and week 5 exhibit/reception)

Workshop Schedule:
Instruction/Creative
Thursday March 23, 6-8pm
Thursday March 30, 6-8pm
Thursday April 6, 6-8pm
Thursday April 13, 6-8pm

Gallery Exhibit/Opening Reception
Saturday April 22, 3-6pm 

There is no cost to participants. All materials, instruction and guidance as well as artist reception will be provided. This project aims at facilitating free expression, confidence and self-esteem. The workshops provide a safe environment for creative social interaction and sharing.

Project contacts:
John Gascot, jgascot@gascot.com
Sara Norine James, saranorine@gmail.com

"Piano & Sax" featured on Literacyhead.com

From the Literacyhead website:

What is a Literacyhead?

A Literacyhead is someone who is intensely serious about exercising creative literacy, making connections across multiple literacies, pursuing thoughtful literacy as an individual and as a teacher, and constantly searching for ideas. Literacyheads may have expertise in different areas of literacy, but all are committed to children's literacy, passionate about the arts, incessant thinkers, and display a propensity for having fun.

My work is being used as a teaching tool (to teach the word "practice") in the article Visual Vocabulary .

The original Piano & Sax painting is currently available through Singing Stone Gallery in Tampa, FL.

Higher Education

I was the subject of a college class today (sort of) .
Scary, I know.
I was a guest artist for a college Art class. I set up an impromptu salon. The students were brought in by their instructor to view my work and apply what they've learned. And there was Q&A with moi. This is new territory for me, but I ended up being asked if I would be available to do this again, so all in all, I'd say it was a success.

Anywho...here's pics of the display. I think I did quite well, considering I had a school conference room to work with. LOL.

The majority of the work is my Latin Pop, however I was asked to bring a few pieces in different styles I've worked in as well.