A Photography Workshop for Mental Health, Wellness, and Empathic Storytelling
Presented by AtelierMOCA at Artreach, Inc.
Unseen Stories
Open to Artreach clients and staff, UNSEEN STORIES is a unique photography workshop that
supports adult mental health and wellness through visual storytelling, group discussion, and creative expression. It is designed for beginning and intermediate photographers, as well as photography enthusiasts.
Who
This immersive experience is led by AtelierMOCA co-founders, American writer, educator, and
creator of The Empathic Gaze™, Mona Penn-Jousset, and Nigerian-Dutch photographer,
filmmaker, and mentor, Coco Olakunle. Together, they will guide participants in exploring how to see, feel, and interpret the world differently using photography and personal narrative.
What
Too often, when stories and cultural materials are collected by outsiders, communities lose
ownership of their narratives. This workshop empowers participants to reclaim their stories through photography and reflective writing. Drawing from Mona’s book, The Empathic Gaze™: Art Thinking Theory & Praxis Vol 1, and hands-on field exercises with Coco, participants will learn how to choose a theme, edit and frame their images, and craft compelling visual and
written stories.
How
Artreach, Inc.
401 W. Thames St., Unit 702
Norwich, CT 06360
Where
Photography Workshop Sessions: Mon, Sept 22 - Fri, Sept 26
Final Exhibition: Sat, Oct. 4th
The workshop concludes with a public exhibition of participants' work, celebrating unseen stories and encouraging new ways of seeing.
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When
Featured Artists
Mona Penn-Jousset
Mona Penn-Jousset is an American writer, filmmaker, podcaster, Visual Culture Scholar, and
Empathic Communication Specialist residing in France. With over 30 years of international
teaching experience across the United States, the Netherlands, and France, she was the first
person of African descent to teach at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague. After studying
Film/Theater and Black and Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College, New York, Mona received
her BA from New College of California and her MA in Arts and Culture from Utrecht
University. Her book, The Empathic GazeTM: Art, Thinking, Theory, and Praxis, Vol. 1 – Curated
Thoughts on Empathy, blends original theory, full-color photography, graphic design, and
sketches with essays from over 40 contributors from all seven continents to explore empathy
in art, culture, and human connection.
Coco Olakunle
Coco Olakunle is a Nigerian-Dutch photographer, filmmaker, and mentor known for her
intimate visual portraits and empowering documentary work. Coco works across Africa and
Europe, specializing in social photography and is known for her sensitive portraits of people
living in some of the world’s largest refugee camps. Coco received her BA in Human Geography
at the University of Amsterdam.
Opening October 4th
Live music by Baggage Claim (Artreach Jazz Band) Display of work developed in a workshop series with Mona Penn-Jousset and Coco Olakunle.