Teaching Services

• Author Visits to Schools and Libraries
• Artist-in-Residence Workshops
• Creative Consulting for Organizations and Individuals

ABOUT THE CLASSES

In my workshops I teach writing, mainly poetry and myth, and visual arts. I am passionate about creativity as a means of self expression.

In my experience, the arts enhance personal growth and learning in all areas. My main goal when I teach is to provide an inspired and nurturing environment for students of all ages. I set the stage for everyone to express their unique visual and literary vision.

CLASSES OFFERED

My poetry classes open the imagination to the use of figurative language and metaphor. I teach myths and folk tales by introducing students to Swedish folklore from which they weave stories rich in detail and texture. I guide students in writing fairy tales filled with adventure, built around fairy tale archetypes. In a curriculum called Roots students explore their own cultural heritage by writing prose, letters and poetry.

I offer a variety of visual arts classes; bookmaking, illustration, maskmaking, and puppetry. I often combine art forms and help design projects that fit the circumstance for which I'm hired.

If you want to work with a professional artist, someone with years of teaching experience, contact me. You can also arrange a workshop through COMPAS, The Minnesota State Arts Board and Young Audiences of Minnesota.

TESTIMONIALS

"Interdisciplinary artist and mentor Marie Olofsdotter has the profound ability to connect with your true nature. With her keen artistic sense of beauty, she assisted me in including all the necessary pieces for a complete representation of my true self in my book, 'Embracing Menopause Naturally.' I recommend her mentorship highly."
     –Gabriele Kushi, Author, www.kushiskitchen.com

"We really liked writing poetry with you. Definitely, because in poetry you can just write what's in your heart and you don't have to be all fancy or stuff like that."
     –Mrs. Smart's Second Grade Class, Fairview Elementary

"Marie has inspired the students to write wonderful creative poetry, original folk and fairy tales. Her love of the written word and its power is transferred to the students with whom she works. I would highly recommend Marie as a resident artist at any grade level."
     – Jacque Cramer, Challenge Coordinator, Glen Lake Elementary

"Marie is an immensely talented and giving artist, but even more than that, she is a careful, patient and caring educator."
     – Stephen Houtz, Education Director, The Minnesota Opera