The Street to Mbari, A Cultural Experience

Step into a world of color, culture, and creativity in this interactive, art-infused workshop that invites early childhood practitioners to explore the powerful intersection of visual art, literacy, and imagination. Centered around The Street to Mbari by renowned African American artist Jacob Lawrence, this hands-on workshop draws inspiration from his bold storytelling style and masterful use of narrative through vibrant imagery.

Participants will engage in child-friendly, imaginative activities designed to bring art to life across multiple subject areas—language arts, social studies, math, and beyond. Through Lawrence’s lens, we’ll "travel" to Africa, using his artwork as a springboard for meaningful discussions, creative storytelling, and rich observation exercises that encourage young learners to identify patterns, make connections, and express themselves in new ways.

Highlights of the workshop include:

• A focused exploration of Jacob Lawrence’s The Street to Mbari, helping educators uncover ways to use artwork to foster critical thinking, cultural awareness, and visual literacy.
   
• Playful, cross-curricular activities that blend art, music, and storytelling, ideal for supporting diverse learning styles and early literacy development.
   
• Techniques for engaging children in narrative-building through visual observation, encouraging curiosity, imagination, and language growth.
   
• A strong emphasis on utilizing libraries and partnering with librarians to expand access to multicultural resources and curated materials that support classroom instruction.
   
• Private coaching from the facilitator to help tailor these creative strategies to your specific classroom needs, grounded in the science of reading and best practices for English Language Learners.
   

This is not just a workshop—it’s an inspiring, joyful learning journey. You’ll leave with a toolkit full of strategies, a deeper appreciation for integrating art and literacy, and the confidence to design immersive, culturally rich experiences for children of all ages.