Inspired by the complexity and mystery of the natural world, artist Teresa Cox creates her artwork using drawings, photos, and experimental painting techniques. She also works in the realm of public art and has facilitated community group drawing and brainstorming sessions, designed and painted 15+ murals, installed public terrazzo floor commissions, and two outdoor sculptures.
Customizations: Note that some projects identified as residencies can be made into shorter-term workshops.
Adults and Artful Aging: Teresa has developed and led art programs with diverse adult and senior populations, including community mural design, collage, sculpture, drawing, and painting.
K-12: Teresa enjoys working with design, nature, and classroom themes and can adapt art lessons to topics of study and interest.
Program Offerings
Workshops
Aluminum Embossing
Participants explore new ideas inspired by printed designs and personal patterns. Using drawing and foiling techniques, each person will transfer (emboss) their new idea into a piece of metal foil. Best for: 3rd–6th grade, Adults, Older Adults; Duration: 1–2 sessions; length of session varies
Geometric Collage
This playful art lesson references a historical painter and is an introduction to color relationships and composition using basic geometric shapes. This lesson is for anyone wanting to build or refresh art foundation skills or develop more ease in generating ideas. This activity includes drawing, color relationships, cutting, composition, and collage. May extend into a longer residency by incorporating painting materials and techniques. Best for: 4th–6th grade, Adults, Older Adults; Duration: 2 sessions, length of session varies
Residencies
COLLAGE
Musical Pop-Outs
In a Musical Pop-out residency, students explore shape, pattern, color and form through experimental drawing and collage. We will draw new shapes inspired by found objects and exaggerate the forms while listening to music. The drawn design ideas will be cut and layered into colorful construction paper. Each participant will pop-out their shapes from a background to create a unique paper sculpture. Materials used: markers, pencil, scissors, construction papers and glue. Best for: 2th – 4th grade. Duration: 5 sessions, length of session varies.
Geometric Collage
This playful art residency goes beyond an intro to geometric collage by incorporating painting materials and techniques. It is for anyone wanting to build or refresh art foundation skills or develop more ease in generating ideas. This activity includes drawing, color relationships, cutting, composition, and collage. Best for: 4th – 6th grade, Adults. Duration: 4th – 6th sessions, length of session varies.
Painted Flower Collage
In Painted Flower Collage, we will explore the flower and its limitless design possibilities. Always a beautiful and inspiring form, the flower comes in wide varieties and can represent individuality, renewal, and beauty. We’ll also look at the work of various artists who work in still life. This lesson will explore art fundamentals, freehand cutting, and the beauty of the “mistake”. Each participant will loosely draw multiple plant designs and then create collages using their own painted patterns and art papers. Materials used during this workshop are pencils, markers, scissors, magazines, colored paper, paint, and glue. Best for: 2nd–4th grade, Adults, Older Adults. Duration: 4–6 sessions; length of session varies.
Artful Memory Collage
In Artful Memory Collage, we will create an individual mixed-media portrait collage based on a particular memory of place, time, or experience. Guided by group discussion, readings, and a worksheet, participants are encouraged to think about positive key moments in their lives. Everyone will recreate their Artful Memory through a simple pose and photograph of themselves. Details of the memory (garden, mountain, kitchen, lake) will be built with patterned paper, drawings, simple templates, and magazines. I’ll share past projects and demonstrate clear steps of the process, including how to find and compose a visual story, drawing steps, composition ideas, folding/cutting paper, and color blending and paint handling. We’ll use paints, construction paper, art paper, glue, scissors, and drawing tools. Best for: Adults, Older Adults, Memory Care; Duration: 6–8 sessions, 90–120 minutes; Access note: This residency is best for participants without significant visual, dexterity, or cognitive challenges.
PAINTING AND DRAWING
Drawing Fundamentals
Anyone can learn to draw and improve their skills through exercises and the repeated practice of drawing. Drawing is seeing! Using drawing tools, we will progress from simple line drawing exercises into contour drawing and shading. Guided steps will help you work on scale, light, and creating values in your artwork. Materials used: drawing paper, pencils, pens, markers, colored pencils, or watercolors. Themes include Still Life, flowers, cities, and landscapes. Best for: 2nd–6th grade, Adults, Older Adults; Duration: 4–6 sessions; length of session varies
Drawing Into Painting
Drawing into Painting is a fundamental and progressive learning process using observation and imagination to draw and paint plants, shapes, architecture, or other subjects, both realistic and whimsical. Students and participants will work with drawing tools on a variety of surfaces with water-based paints such as acrylic, tempera, gouache, or watercolor. Best for: 4th–6th grade, Adults, Older Adults; Duration: 6–9 sessions; length of session varies
Abstract Painting
Inspired by geometric and invented shapes, color relationships, composition, and the artwork of a historical painter. Students will work through a variety of exercises and transition from drawing to painting their own abstract pieces. This lesson may include pencils, markers, scissors, colored paper, canvas, tagboard, paint, and glue. Best for: 2nd–4th grade, Adults, Older Adults; Duration: 4–8 sessions; length of session varies
Murals
To create a community mural, we’ll develop ideas around a specific theme (circles, nature, design, or other). Each participant will work on the brainstorming/drawing stage or rotate through different sections of the project. We’ll learn and explore the fundamentals of community art, including collaboration, design, drawing, and paint handling. The finished mural may be assembled and installed on site or at another location. Murals may be painted or collaged and can be created on one panel or multiples display together. Best for: 2nd–6th grade, Adults, Older Adults; Duration: 2–6 weeks, multiple sessions, length of session varies
SCULPTURE
Aluminum Embossing
Participants draw new ideas inspired by printed designs and personal patterns. Using drawing and foiling techniques, each person will transfer (emboss) their new idea into a piece of metal foil. Students will use enamel paints to finish their project. These low-relief designs will be cut out and suspended with twine. Best for: 3rd–6th grade, Adults, Older Adults; Duration: 3–6 sessions; length of session varies
Community Garden
Always inspiring, the garden can represent a sense of peace, connection, renewal, and beauty.
In Community Garden, we will look at garden books and botanical illustrations for inspiration and build a dimensional flower using individual painted papers, cardboard, aluminum sheets, wooden sticks, and small elements for details. This lesson will explore the fundamentals of art through drawing, painting, and sculpture. The residency will culminate in a shared Community Garden exhibition of joyful plants and flowers.
Best for: Adults or Youth in Grades 3–6 (max class size 24). Customizations: This offering will include adaptive pacing and personalized learning with more complexity as desired and time allows.
Worldly Architecture
Students will look at architecture from around the world for inspiration. We’ll use basic geometric shapes and play with scale to create unique “blueprints” or drawings of a new building. Everyone will build their structure in low relief using cardboard and pop-out elements. We’ll finish and embellish the buildings with paint and dimensional repeat patterns. Materials used: cardboard, markers, scissors, buttons, paint, and wood bits. Best for: 2nd–4th grade; Duration: 5 sessions; length of session varies
Teaching Artist Statement:
During an arts residency or workshop, my focus is on inspiring students/participants to think and see more broadly. As a teaching artist, I delight in fostering excitement for the discovery of new ideas, sharing art history, and the satisfaction of having a creative vision and carrying it out. My role is to guide, stimulate, and champion my students’ efforts. I set the bar high and then enjoy jumping over it with them. Through original and engaging lessons, I model conceptual, visual, and tactile skills such as drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture. In addition to working in the schools, I have developed workshops and taught all ages through institutions such as the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minnesota Museum of American Art, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. I enjoy working with all ages, with a special affinity for projects with adults and children in 2nd- 4th grade.
“Teresa was fantastic! She did an amazing job communicating with the elders, she is very patient and flexible, she worked very hard with each resident, staff and volunteers so that they could clearly understand the program and be creative. The Residents responded well, and where very amazed by their creations. Watching the residents really thinking and focusing on their art was wonderful!”
Activity Director, Older Adult Care Center
“Teresa was on time, prepared, and worked really well with our clients…challenging and encouraging them-always treating them with dignity and compassion.
-Wingspan Life Resources
