We are excited to introduce our new 2018 Austin Studio E Art Instructor, Joey Korein.

“Joey Korein is an artist and teacher. She earned a BFA in Printmaking and Drawing from Washington University in St. Louis. Much of Joey’s work involves used or discarded materials, especially secondhand clothing, as she has always been drawn to these relics, suffused with human life and love. She continually searches for new ways to honor these objects and the lives they represent.” (Shared Space Studio)

EFCST Staff reached out to Korein to learn a little more about her connection to art and the way it helps individuals to express themselves and share their experiences.

Q: When did you become interested in art?

I’ve loved making art for as long as I can remember! As a kid who struggled early on with reading and writing, I was so grateful that the language of art came easily to me and afforded me a way to understand my own strengths and abilities.

Q: How does art help people express themselves? 

There is no such thing as a bad feeling, only uncomfortable feelings with no place to go. Through art, we can channel even feelings like pain, anger, fear and sadness into genuine creative expression. Having our feeling out in front of us on paper, in clay or any other medium, gives us the space to reflect and a new way to communicate our inner experience to others.

Q: How does art help people tell their story?

As a culture, we rely heavily on verbal communication, which can be a great tool. But sometimes the right words are hard to find or hard to say. Sometimes we’re not even sure what we’re feeling in a given moment, or we feel many different conflicting things at the same time. The art making process provides a safe container for exploration and investigation. It gives us the opportunity to test out new ideas, to take risks and to discover parts of ourselves and our stories not imagined beforehand.

Q: Do you have a personal connection that inspires you to help vulnerable populations?

As a fellow human being with my own vulnerabilities, I believe it as surely as I believe anything: our greatest vulnerabilities are the source of our deepest strengths. Working with many different people inspires me because it reminds me every day that while our unique personal circumstances may appear to vary, under the surface we are all more alike than we are different. We are all connected by our need to feel understood and to know that we belong.

Q: What types of materials will students use?

We will have opportunities to use a variety of media ranging from 2-D materials like colored pencils, pastels, paint and collage to sculptural materials like clay, fabric and found objects. When I speak with each student I’ll ask if they have their heart set on any materials so I can do my best to provide it!

Q: Is there something you want to share with students that I haven’t asked already?

Only that I can’t wait to meet them and learn about their ideas!

The Austin Studio E class meets every Saturday for ages 6-15, starting August 18th through September 29. Studio E offers group art sessions that allow participants to explore their creativity, meet others with epilepsy, and express themselves in an open, accepting and safe group setting. According to research, people living with epilepsy reported increased self-esteem after participating in Studio E. During the program, participants work with an art instructor using a variety of artistic media, including painting, sketching and sculpting. Some things are easier to “say” through art. Studio E provides people impacted by epilepsy a unique opportunity to express themselves and open up about their experiences.

Express Yourself Through Art, Ages 6-15. Click here to register.

Studio E is made possible through an ongoing partnership between Lundbeck, a pharmaceutical company committed to helping people with epilepsy, and the Epilepsy Foundation. To learn more about Studio E or see artwork generated during previous programs, visit YourPartnerInEpilepsy.com.

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