TEACHING

PROJECT FIRE • AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS • SAIC • PRIVATE LESSONS

PROJECT FIRE

Co-founded in 2014 by Pearl Dick and clinical psychologist Dr. Bradley Stolbach in partnership with Healing Hurt People-Chicago and with the support of a University of Chicago Medicine Urban Health Initiative Faculty Fellowship,

Project FIRE (Fearless Initiative for Recovery and Empowerment) is an artist development employment program that offers healing through glassblowing, combining glass arts education, mentoring, and trauma psychoeducation to support trauma recovery and create jobs for youth injured by violence.

Shortly after the launch of the program, Project FIRE joined forces with the well-established and respected nonprofit, Firebird Community Arts. Project FIRE is now the flagship program of Firebird Community Arts, and has paved the way for a variety of innovative social justice arts programs taking place at Firebird Community Arts.

AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS

For over 10 years, Pearl served as a teaching artist with After School Matters and now oversees the After School Matters glass programming that takes place at her studio. After School Matters® is a non-profit organization that provides life-changing after-school and summer program opportunities to more than 15,000 Chicago high school teens each year.

At the studio, students learn glass art techniques, safety and history. They explore the medium through the lens of their community and their role in it. Students learn glass blowing, cold working, bead making, screen printing and glass fusing.

Saic

Pearl collaboratively teaches the Fiber and Material Studies Hot Projects Glass Production class in her studio for the School of the Art Institute, Chicago. Students learn hot and cold glass processes such as blowing, casting and cold working and are introduced to the practice and principles of hand blowing, mold blowing, hot casting, cold working and sculpting.

Private lessons

For over 15 years, Pearl has been providing private and small group lessons and workshops. She delights in empowering her students (of all ages) to take ownership of their process and work. Her deep understanding of the medium of glass is effortlessly translated to artists of all levels.

To inquire about lessons or to schedule a workshop, email Pearl at: pearljdick@gmail.com.