The Brave Nude
Self Discovery through Visual Art
A 2-day immersive community art event led by Lior Allay + Hillary Olson
10/5-6 in Minneapolis + Zumbro Falls Minnesota
This is a safe space. Join us for an inclusive, immersive all-day educational experience to nurture your practice.
Come willing to learn + make new connections with a creative community in a collaborative environment.
Schedule of Offerings
3-5 pm: Self-portraiture workshop + Group Shoot w/ Lior Allay + Scrappy Radish (max 10 participants)
6-9 pm: Brave Conversations
Hosted in collaboration with The Growth Arc featuring discussion, guidance, + exercises by: Taja Will, Trista Marie + Sarah Maricha White (max 20 additional participants)
DAY 1: WORTHY of this Home
October 5th 3-9pm in Minneapolis
WHAT IS IT:
A self-portraiture workshop led by Scrappy Radish + Lior Allay followed by a community discussion in collaboration with The Growth Arc. We will be focused on creating a safer, braver, + more inclusive space for participants to learn and grow together. As a practice of empathy, observation, + self-awareness, the afternoon will begin with a skill-based exploration of self-portraiture techniques, as well as tips for habitualizing the individual creative process. The 2nd part of the evening will focus on conversation paired with accessible movement and breathwork exercises led by leaders from the Twin Cities creative community. We hope you join us for this opportunity to engage in collaborative vulnerability and creative intimacy. We are worthy and we all belong.
WHO IS IT FOR:
Models, photographers, body work artists, movers, + any other creative individuals at any and all levels of experience, who are looking to cultivate forgiveness + confidence in their skin, + who are ready to hold a safe + supportive space for others to do the same.
WHERE:
This day is graciously being hosted at the 4Girls Glamour Studio in Northeast: 1621 E Hennepin Ave #275, Minneapolis, MN 55414.
More information and parking tips will be provided to participants prior to the workshop.
DAY 1: Community Leaders
TRISTA MARIE
queer disabled photographer, writer, + artist
@tristamariemcg will lead a talk on vulnerability, disability, + inclusion.
Trista’s work is fueled by anything surrounding humans being human. Her work in intimate portraits focuses on breaking down barriers to illuminate vulnerability + individual personalities. She is currently working towards promoting ableism awareness through personal + collaborative projects - specifically disability + sexuality.
TAJA WILL
Socially Engaged Artist & Healing Practitioner
Adjunct Faculty University of Minnesota Dance Department
McKnight Choreographer Fellow '18-'19
@tajawillxo will present Embodied Homecoming. We will practice through movement: reclaiming size, beyond and inside the container of skin. An embodied practice of listening to your somatic intelligence and the replies of the nervous system. As a practice of accountability will acknowledge the privileges + responsibilities required of embodied presence. Through awareness perhaps we increase the potential for braver intimacy + pleasure.
Tajais a queer, Chilean adoptee, performer, choreographer, therapist and restorative justice facilitator. Her approach integrates improvisation, somatic modalities, text and vocals in contemporary performance. Will’s aesthetic is one of spontaneity, bold choice making, sonic+ kinetic partnership + the ability to move in relationship to risk + intimacy. She explores visceral connections to current socio-cultural realities through an equity lens + personal indigenous magic.
SARAH WHITE
will be offering an invitation to open up the space, though meditation, sound + breath.
@fotosforbarcelona + @divinenaturalancestry
@sarahwhiteblack is a mother of 2 loving hearts, soul sweetener + space holder, using everything from soundscapes to hands on healing arts, as a tool for Liberation.
Working deeply for a decade on the exploration of different ways to get into the nervous systems + spirit body systems, Sarah’s studies dive deep into trauma + the belief we all can heal + find pleasure.
DAY 2: NUDE in Nature
October 6th 1-5pm in Zumbro Falls
WHAT IS IT:
A fine art photography workshop for aspiring or established photographers to shoot on location (rural farm in southwest Minnesota) with models/photographers: Lior Allay, Scrappy Radish + two additional Minnesota guest models. We will provide both natural + conceptually art-directed looks for participants, who will be able to work with each of us one-on-one + in a group (taking turns as primary shooter/art director).
WHO IS IT FOR:
Photographers comfortable shooting with natural light + with nude models. No photography experience is necessary but participants must provide their own transportation + equipment.
WHERE:
Private farm in rural southwest Minnesota (about 1.5 hours away from Minneapolis) offering field, forest, farm, bluffs and a river.
Exact location with more details and directions will be sent to participants prior to the workshop.
SUPPLIES:
You need only bring your curiosity & a camera (yes, cellphones count too - it’s not about the gear you have!) If you shoot film or are curious about that process please bring all the necessary film.
Meet your Instructors
Hillary Olson
@ScrappyRadish is an interdisciplinary artist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a primary focus in fine art photography. Hillary brings curiosity, empathy and impulse to each of her photoshoots to create shared experiences through collaboration and conscious connection.
Before pursuing self-employment in 2018, Hillary was the Marketing Manager for Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre in Minneapolis, MN. She has her B.A. in Studio Art (painting) and Theatre Arts (performance) from Hamline University. Prior to Hamline, Hillary studied commercial photography, film photography & graphic design at Central Campus in Des Moines, IA.
Theatre arts and dance were some of Hillary's first introductions to creative collaboration and continue to greatly influence her work. Her experience with improvisational and site-specific movement allow her to create dynamic relationships between the body and its environment. Her most recent acting performances were at the MN Fringe Festival, and productions with Gadfly Theatre + 20% Theatre Company in Minneapolis.
Hillary began life modeling for painting & drawing classrooms starting in 2013 and began modeling for the camera through self-portraiture. She currently poses at many life drawing/portrait drawing co-ops and educational settings around the greater Twin Cities area. Her self-portraits continue to be a large part of her creative habit, allowing her to explore the multiplicities of self, through physical expression, performance and creative installation. When she isn't around the camera, Hillary can be found performing in Twin Cities theatre, growing her skills in the aerial arts (silks), traveling, and gardening.
Lior Allay
…is a queer, non-binary self-taught artist, performer, aspiring social scientist, humanitarian, + single mother from the greater Philadelphia area living with chronic illness.
Their specialty lies in spontaneous design of site-specific concepts using largely found objects to create visual poems with power. They operate from both sides of the lens to execute meaningful scenes about the intersection of identity, sexuality, vulnerability, + gender in our culture today.
As an auteur their technique is defined by the poignant combination of visceral body language + everyday surrealism that encourages the viewer to ask difficult but necessary questions about the sociocultural challenges we face today.
