Karen

Karen Vanhercke – coach, facilitator and founder of easel.world

As a former educational researcher at the Art & History Museum in Brussels, and as a former educational curator at MO Museum in Vilnius, I always had a variety of collections at my finger tips and a variety of audiences to engage. I developed my method, called Art-based Dialogue, by absorbing existing theories and by integrating what I learnt from my research in practice as an educator. I had wonderful opportunities to grow out of my comfort zone (Art Historical discourse) and towards dialogue. My approach to art education became increasingly collaborative and activist over the years. Art-based Dialogue became my main focus in 2021, when I curated MO museum’s first children’s exhibition, Lake Full of Stars. In this exhibition I pleaded for dialogue to become the main educational tool in museums. Currently I curate mostly single artwork encounters which I see as catalysts for positive change and emancipation. The way I work is firmly rooted in the tradition of Visual Thinking and I am a great fan of Abigail Housen. I believe people don’t need to be experts to make sense out of art. My goal is t o connect with people from many different backgrounds and to facilitate processes of personal growth as well as build communities around Art-based Dialogue. With the support of the Lithuanian Culture Council my easel.world platform grew into an information hub for Art-based Dialogue in Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine. My training programs are attended by people from all over the world. I offer weekly online discussions and monthly onsite meetings in local museums. I writes regular blog posts and I publish monthly interviews in a podcast series about Art-based Dialogue.

Students Say This about Karen’s Trainings:

“I got to know myself and others through the art. This mutual understanding is exactly what is needed in Mediation”

Anne Van Langendonck – Lawyer

This training is full of treasures. It was a joy to be in the group and to experience all the support and knowledge needed to develop facilitation skills. Karen is a perfect role model to follow .

Ieva Sližienė – Lecturer

“One of the most interesting courses in which I participated these last three years. Already I use some of the elements with children groups”

Lina Karosienė – Co-founder of Europos Parkas

“Thank you for the training!  Now I am an independent educator and facilitator!” 

Oleksandra Mazurenko – Screenwriter

“Pure solid knowledge on theory and practice! This course makes it crystal clear how important art is to develop observation and verbal expression. Highly recommended!”

Tanis Gamez de Leon – Art Historian

“I learnt about impartiality and about being comfortable with disagreement in a discussion. Just the other day I walked into a gallery and was surprised by how much more I SEE! Overall I feel changed by this training and I 100% recommend it to my colleagues and friends!”

Yuliya Batura – Economist

Have a Project in mind?

I can help to make its impact count by bringing Art into it.