Artist & Educator | Josh Runnels | TEDxWalnut Street

TL;DR

Josh Reynolds, also known as J Artist, discusses his journey as an artist and educator, emphasizing the importance of art and education in fostering community.

Transcript

creatively known as J arti is an artist in education and one of the founders of the Soul sessions here in Colombia please welcome Josh to the stage all right thank you thank you hey can y'all give it up for uh Molita Crystal Dr nille the bat Academy it's a blessing and honor uh to be here on the stage giving praise to the most high um I'm going to ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖐️ Church and music play a significant role in the upbringing of many artists, providing a foundation for their artistic journey.
• 🫚 Call and response, a common element in African-American gospel music, has deep-rooted origins in ancient tribes and served as a means of communication and connection.
• 🥰 Art can facilitate a conversation with oneself and aid in filtering thoughts and organizing them, leading to personal growth and a clearer life trajectory.
• 🥰 Reynolds' youth art initiative uses creative writing and spoken word poetry to help students connect academic subjects to their personal lives.
• 🎼 The "Music for Thought" vodcast combines live music performances with meaningful conversations, promoting intentional music creation and life skills development.
• 🥋 Soul Sessions, an event hosted by Reynolds, fosters community through various forms of artistic expression such as live art, dancing, and music.
• 🧑‍🎨 Supporting local art groups and donating to their initiatives is a meaningful way to contribute to the community and uplift artists.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Josh Reynolds become interested in art and education?

Reynolds developed an interest in art at a young age, influenced by his family's involvement in church and music. He was exposed to singing, directing choirs, and leading youth programs, which instilled a love for the arts and education.

Q: How does Reynolds use art as a tool for education?

Reynolds combines his passion for art and education by teaching life skills through creative writing and spoken word poetry. By encouraging students to express their thoughts and emotions through writing, they can gain a better understanding of themselves and map out their life trajectories.

Q: What is the mission of Reynolds' youth art initiative?

The mission of Reynolds' youth art initiative is to help high school and college students connect with their passion and purpose by using art as a means of self-expression and reflection. Through creative writing and spoken word poetry, students can answer important questions about who they are and their goals in life.

Q: What is the purpose of the "Music for Thought" vodcast?

The "Music for Thought" vodcast, hosted by Reynolds and Justin Famous, aims to create intentional music and engage in conversations about the songs. They invite artists to perform their original music while the house band accompanies them, followed by discussions about the meaning and inspiration behind the songs.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Josh Reynolds, creatively known as J Artist, shares his background and upbringing in a household centered around church and music.

• He highlights the significance of church in shaping many artists and musicians, particularly in the African-American community, and traces the origins of call and response to ancient tribes.

• Reynolds discusses his passion for art education, specifically in the form of creative writing and spoken word poetry, and how it can help students connect academic subjects to their personal lives.