Previous Sessions

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We have never met anyone who cares more about sharing the beauties of the world and less about what's going on in the world than Allison. She encourages kids to explore the natural world in a way that feels right to them and not stick to the status quo. She wants kids to take the lead in their learning and explore ideas that fascinate them. She truly is a breath of fresh air for children’s education.

Melissa

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Allison Paradise of The Epicenter was better than amazing with my son, Luke. He is a new 11-year old with a bunch of social cognitive diagnoses, as well as very hyperactive ... Allison was able to help channel that energy into productive, focused, wonderful, imaginative, and inventive play. She created an open container, a canvas with which he could truly explore what's going on in and with Luke.

Jeanette

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A Summary of The Work

The Epicenter provides students with a unique experience of self-exploration and self-discovery through mindfulness practices and artistic self-expression (e.g., painting, sculpture, writing, performing, dancing, music etc). This experience calms, centers, and grounds students.

Examples of Previous Sessions

Although each session (class) is unique, they all have a few things in common:

An exploration into who you are.
Space to express yourself freely through whatever medium best suits you.
A focus on mindfulness, presence, and holistic wellbeing.
A direct connection to nature.

Below are a few examples of sessions we've run in the past.

SOUNDS LIKE...

Photo of Sound Waves on a Chladni Plate by Stephen Morris, Flickr

An exploration into sound.

In this four-day workshop we explored different ways of visualizing the sounds within us and outside of us. We then created artwork that reflected our experience, using hi-tech tools such as laser cutters and 3D printers. We incorporated these tools into the class as a way to reframe technology as another means of creative self-expression. The workshop culminated in a public art show that featured the works of the students.

LEDs

LED light portrait using multicolor LEDs and long exposure on a mirrorless camera.

Expression through light.

Students used color and movement to express themselves. Arduino boards were programmed to control LED lights that created a unique color palette reflecting the programmer. Students were then asked to move in a way that felt authentic to them while holding the LEDs. A camera was positioned to capture the movement, creating beautiful, unique portraits of students.
LEDs have also been used in our other sessions as a form of artistic expression.

REFLECTION

Post-it notes reflect what people saw in themselves when they looked in the mirror.

What do you see in the mirror?

We created a reflective space by filling a tent with small mirrors. As people came into the space, we asked them to write what they saw in themselves on post-it notes. Those post-it notes were placed around the tent, creating a living installation of self-reflection and self-expression in our community.

SUMMER SESSIONS

Painting leaves and branches using new colors mixed by students.

Who are you?

In these weeklong sessions children explored themselves and their relationship to nature through movement, reflection, writing, and creative expression. The activities each day were guided by a central theme: What are you?; How do you see yourself?; Who do you become for others?; Trust/courage and following our intuition; Embodying our authentic self. The week culminated in the painting of a mural that reflected each student's experience.

DISCOVERY

Blowing bubbles helps us discover what makes a bubble strong.

What does it mean to be...?

These sessions were run for one day or for a series of three days. Each asked the question, 'What does it mean to be...?' where the blank was filled in with concepts like strong, courageous, authentic, and healed. Students were encouraged to explore these themes by writing a comic book, discovering the theme in nature (through drawing, observing, testing), and ultimately discovering the theme within themselves (through artistic self-expression).

INTERACTIVE READING

One way of decorating the cover of 'The Mistake'.

The courage to be what you are.

In these 2-hour sessions, we read The Mistake (a children's coloring book with the theme of having the courage to be what you are) as a group. We then discuss who we are, and how we sometimes conform to external expectations rather than follow our own internal compass. Based on the reading and our conversation, students are encouraged to respond through whatever medium they feel suits them best - writing, drawing, painting, sculpting, music, dance, play, etc.

OBSTACLE COURSE

Building a treehouse for the first time. Photo taken in Sonora, CA.

Empowerment through building.

In this weekend session we created a space for authentic self-expression through activities that also incorporated play, strategic thinking, and learning new skills. Students were empowered to create something larger than themselves as a team as they worked to transform a yard into an obstacle course.

IN YOUR EYES

Close-up portraits of people's eyes as they discuss what matters to them most.

What do you see in your eyes?

We set up a portrait studio for several weeks and invited people to have their portrait taken. As they stood in front of the camera, we asked them questions about their life as the camera captured their faces as they spoke. We then invited participants to review their photos, zooming in specifically on their eyes. We asked them what they saw in themselves. Many were surprised by how expressive and alive their eyes became when they were describing something that was meaningful to them. They were also intrigued by the visible differences between their left and right eyes. We shared the photos and encouraged participants to journal about their experience.

YOUR CART