Thora Olsen
Fruitful Shadows is an immersive multi-day workshop that uses mask-making, writing, ritual and storytelling as tools to explore identity and self-reflection in a facilitated space built on trust and mutuality.
Two workshops were conducted in March, 2022: one with the Leadership class at Longfellow Middle School and one with community members at 2727 California Street in Berkeley. Participants engaged in creative writing, somatic movement, and group reflection, and then harnessed the themes that arose to create paper maché masks to serve as ritual embodiments of their shadow explorations. The incredible photographer Lara Aburamadan documented the workshops at 2727 California through a portrait series of participants in their masks which was used as a storytelling tool to share with the larger community.
Thora’s workshop made me feel really safe to be creative in a medium I don’t usually work with. I loved her guidance through the process, providing us with excellent prompts to work off of and encouraging the entire group to share their knowledge and creations.
—Sierra Camille
The final component to Fruitful Shadows is an interactive street art display launched April 29, 2022. Poems and imagery are posted on bulletin boards, telephone poles, and bus kiosks throughout the City. These graphic displays include poetry and quotes that encourage the community to reflect on themes of seasonality, beauty, joy, and aliveness. Each display included prompts for viewers to respond directly to the artist, for example, “Where are you finding beauty in your community? In the natural world? In movements? How does this beauty change you?”
Responses can be viewed on Instagram @thoraolsen
