Do you live in or near the Boston area? Have you seen or been interested in learning more about “scribing”—an artistic practice that visually represents ideas while people talk? Maybe you are already familiar with sketch noting, white boarding, flip charting, or other forms of making the spoken word come alive on a page in various formats, and you want to know how to use these methods in a facilitative way?
If any of the above sounds familiar, then consider joining use for one or more “taster” studio sessions. Each 3-hour module will provide some basic frameworks, tools, and time for reflection on how the learning could be applied back in your own working context.
Studio Sessions:
- The Art of Scribing – Sunday, October 6 from 9am-12pm
Learn about the “art of scribing”—a practice that visually represents ideas while people talk—and its role in transforming conversation and decision-making. Participants will explore the profession, learn 4 Levels of Scribing, and experiment with scribing conversation. - Levels of Listening – Saturday, October 12 from 9am-12pm
Listening is a cornerstone of all facilitative work. This session will include a review of “Levels of Listening” (by Otto Scharmer), and apply the levels directly to scribing. Participants will practice conversing and drawing with different levels: factual, relational, and generative. - Systems Scribing – Sunday, October 13 from 9am-12pm
Here we dive into the basics of systems scribing and present a framework based on systems thinking, systems being, and systems living (as informed by this article and collaboration with Jessica Riehl). Participants will learn specific methods and techniques for recognizing basic feedback loops in conversation and mapping systems, including 2D modeling.
Who should participate?
These sessions are open to anyone who is interested in the “live” visual practice of scribing, with no previous experience required. Drawing will be our primary form of expression, and conversation the primary form of shared reflection. Ages 12 and older welcome. No childcare provided on site.
Delivery Team
Kelvy Bird has been working as a scribe in the fields of human and organizational development since 1995, with a focus on innovation, collective intelligence, and systems thinking. As part of the Presencing Institute since 2007, Kelvy has helped shape many of the global community offerings, most recently the edX course u.lab, for which she provides extensive visual material. In 2016, she co-edited the anthology: Drawn Together through Visual Practice, and in 2018 released Generative Scribing: A Social Art of the 21st Century. Kelvy received a BFA and BA from Cornell University, and currently lives in Somerville, MA USA. More
Bess Paupeck is a curator-producer-artist and maker of experiences that forge connection to community, self, story, and our shared humanity. Bess lives and works in the Boston area and over the years has worked with many cultural institutions, including the MIT Museum, the Somerville Museum, the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, Harvard University, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, the Somerville Arts Council and the Nave Gallery. Living life as a work-in-progress, a love for making, teaching, listening, building, curating, arts production and community engagement come together in the offerings she creates on the daily.
Logistics
Location
Washington Street Art Center, 321 Washington St # D, Somerville, MA 02143.
Note there is some limited parking on site and in the area. T and bus information to be provided.
Dates
Each session will follow this schedule:
- Coffee and tea welcome: 8:30-9:00am
- Studio Session: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Costs
- Rate One: $100 (Working Professionals)
- Rate Two: $50 (Students, Artists)
The registration fee includes supplies and course materials.
Refund Policy: Unfortunately for these sessions there will be no refund policy.