Written by AFA Intern McKenna Dixon
December 14, 2022: Williamsburg High School of Arts and Technology with Teaching Artist Ciara Ruddock
On December 14, I had the pleasure of shadowing Teaching Artist Ciara Ruddock on her first day at the Williamsburg High School of Arts and Technology. As soon as I arrived, I was kindly directed to Ms. Lewin’s art room, which was decorated with various pieces of vibrant artwork (some of my favorites being those of Keith Haring’s) and motivational posters. High schoolers, of all different grades, began to trickle into the classroom.
As students settled into their seats, Ciara began by introducing herself and explaining that she would be teaching Animation each Wednesday for the remainder of the term. The students respectfully and excitedly listened, and then Ciara began facilitating a discussion surrounding identity. She explained that one’s identity consists of their individual interests, personality, habits, physical appearance, values and beliefs, and culture, among other aspects of a person’s existence. As the high schoolers considered the different components of their own identities, they joined in the discussion, sharing personal anecdotes and ideas of what “identity” means to them.
Photo by McKenna Dixon
Then, having these characteristics in mind, Ciara played the Pixar animation, “Sanjay’s Super Team,” which revolves around a young boy whose fascination with a superhero TV show clashes with his father’s religious rituals. In the end, both Sanjay and his dad grow to understand each other and connect, via Sanjay’s art that incorporates both his religion and love of superheroes.
Courtesy Pixar
Following the short film, Ciara revived the conversation on identity, but this time, asking students to share the parts of identity present in this portrayal of Sanjay and his father. Especially since the film included no dialogue, it was eye-opening for the students to realize how much information on these two characters’ identities they could extract simply by analyzing the animation.
Then, to personalize the day’s theme, Ciara passed out pieces of paper and colored pencils and asked the students to create visual representations of their identities. Some drew self-portraits, others drew their favorite things, but all of them seized the opportunity to self-reflect and artistically acknowledge themselves for who they are.
