Oreen Cohen

PCAM is a place that validates the capacities of teaching artists’ expertise and confidence in their practice, I am honored to be in consideration to work with your community. I find joy in helping others see links between individuals and their work, building partnerships, locating materials, and connecting avenues to pursue goals, as evidenced in my work experience. All of this stems from being an artist working in the public arts- specifically large-scale metalworking (welding fabrication)- while also maintaining a painting and drawing practice, also large-scale! As a teacher, I want to encourage students to face the sweeping white canvas or the intimidating tool with guidance in approach.

My drive as an educator and momentum as a program coordinator have always centered on accessibility to higher degrees of making concepts for all ages. By design, my programs and projects create a pathway to accessing the artists’ methods and practices, with the students and audience playing a crucial role as they lean into the creative process. Successes are gauged by how students engage through the meandering process of inquiry. I create thoughtful spaces by being present with each student where they are. I break down the artists’ processes and methods for projects I design to a personal scale for exploration through students’ experiences of materials and contexts. At each level, I aim to see a foundational knowledge of materials to which students are curious, challenge what art can be, and recognize their unique contributions to the creative process. For teens and adults, we consider the artist’s role and their value in society, informing all fields of practice.

Teaching is a critical extension of my studio practice. I leverage a cross-disciplinary approach to support the discovery of individual and collective creativity potentials, empowering young artists’ curiosities as they become proficient explorers, researchers, and makers. I am a scrapper at heart, finding joy in repurposing odd objects, scraps, and even the ooey gooey paint in your basement to provide the most interesting textures. In my classroom and studio, I advocate that there are no mistakes in art and that there is only possibility with an openness to process. I do this by dragging scrap materials and tools and allowing space for active collaboration and experimentation. With sustainability and accessibility in mind, opening intention toward new materials and approaches will build confidence- and I am always prepared to find any means necessary to make creativity happen.