110: Jeff Mather: Art, Community, & the Materialized Imagination

Explore creative community transformation with teaching artist Jeff Mather as he shares stories of art, collaboration, and social change in education.Jeff Mather's work as a teaching artist and public art digital storytelling alchemist underscores the vital role of art in fostering community resilience and engagement. The conversation with Bill Cleveland reveals how, despite the challenges posed by recent global events, Mather remains optimistic about the transformative potential of creative collaborations. By reflecting on his experiences in various educational and community settings, he illustrates how art can bridge divides, empower youth, and reinvigorate spaces that have been overlooked or abandoned. His dedication to involving students in the artistic process not only cultivates their creativity but also instills a sense of agency and responsibility for their environment.The episode captures the essence of Mather's philosophy: art is not merely an aesthetic endeavor but a powerful tool for social change. Mather recounts the impactful project in West Baltimore, where he worked with local youth to design and install an environmental sculpture in a park that had long been neglected. This initiative not only beautified the area but also engaged the community in a dialogue about safety, ownership, and the importance of reclaiming shared spaces. Mather's insights into the dynamics of teaching and collaboration highlight the necessity of recognizing and valuing each participant's unique contributions, which ultimately enriches the artistic outcome.Furthermore, the discussion delves into the challenges and rewards of community-based art practices, particularly in relation to trust-building and navigating complex social landscapes. Mather emphasizes the importance of entering communities with humility and a willingness to learn, rather than imposing external solutions. His experiences with Alternate Roots showcase the power of grassroots movements in advocating for social and economic justice through art. As the episode unfolds, it becomes evident that Mather's work embodies a vision of art as a communal endeavor—one that celebrates diversity, fosters connection, and cultivates a shared sense of purpose in navigating the challenges of our times.Key Moments00:18 The Turning Point: Reflections on Change and Future Challenges00:35 Reflections on Creative Change Agents13:59 Alternate ROOTS and Community Engagement22:55 The Impact of Community Engagement in Public Art31:14 Engaging with Community Through Art40:03 The Impact of Art and CommunityBIOJeff is a community-based public artist and teaching artist in Georgia, (and South Carolina and Massachusetts and Utah), for over 30 years. He is the STEAM artist-in-residence at Drew Charter School 45 days each semester/90 days each year and has presented on his partnership work there at national and international conferences. He was a delegate and presenter at the 1st International Teaching Artist Conference in Olso in 2012 and at the ITAC3 in Edinburgh and at ITAC6 in Oslo. He is an ITAC Innovator, leading Think Tank webinars. He has been on the Georgia Council for the Arts registry of visiting artists since 1992. He has a BA degree in Proxemics from Hobart College. He served as president of the Atlanta Partnership for Arts in Learning, an arts infusion non-profit that he helped to co-found in 2001. He toured a program for nine years with a choreographer - and also a storytelling program with a master storyteller. Jeff has facilitated Learning Exchanges for teaching artists for Alternate ROOTS and for the Community Built Association. Jeff is also the lead artist for the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Access Program in northern Utah and runs interdisciplinary residencies there twice a year. He directed several experimental theater productions at the Center for

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