Tear & Reconstruct -- May 23

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Deconstruct and reconstruct with teaching artist Taryn Sutter in this exploration of Emotional Art. This workshop will blend personal exploration, emotional release, and abstract collage/painting in a safe, poetic, & transformative environment. When we tear paper, it is a symbol for breaking down. It is allowing us the ability to “let go,”  while we process our trapped emotions, and feelings of loss, transition, and transformation. When processing strong emotions, the emotions that trigger a physiological response, using watercolor will allow us the fluidity from the paint to release control that often keeps us “stuck.” When creating a collage piece, the tearing of its paper and cutting of materials, will evoke a sense of calm. By replacing the paper and reassembling its pieces, we are allowing ourselves to go on an emotional exploration of self reflection and discovery to re-gather. The end piece with its image form, is your story in a visual narrative. About the Teaching Artist: With a richly layered background that spans cultures, techniques, and lived experiences, Taryn Sutter is an art teacher who brings far more than technical instruction into her classroom—she creates meaningful connection with students through her teaching. Her practice is rooted in the belief that art is not confined to a canvas or studio, but exists in every moment, every perspective, and every individual willing to see it. A highly skilled and accomplished artist in her own right, Taryn blends mastery with deep empathy, creating a transformational environment where students feel both challenged and supported. She encourages them to look beyond perfection and instead discover authenticity—guiding each student to recognize the beauty in their own voice as an artist. Taryn uses art as a powerful pathway to healing, growth, and resilience—showing students how creative expression can illuminate even the most difficult experiences. In her classroom, art is not just something you make; it is something you feel, process, and carry with you. Students leave her classes not only with sharpened artistic skills, but with a renewed sense of self, a stronger voice, and a deeper appreciation for the world around them. Taryn is a much-loved art teacher of 5 years in the Middleton-Cross Plains school district. She holds a Masters degree in Elementary Education, a post-graduate degree in Art Education, and a BA in Cultural Anthropology.