Edreys & Alexa Wajed, artists and operators of Eat Off Art, a creative consulting agency, provide educational and professional development through Arts services. Workshops are flexibly designed to explore and address topics such as Anti-racism, trauma, social justice, cultural inclusion, gender identity, healing, and racial equity.

Participants create art responsively related to national and local economic and social disparity-based tragedies and injustices
(ie: Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Buffalo Tops Massacre, Buffalo Blizzard ’22 etc). These traumas are all interlinked to the socio-emotional and mental health of the individuals most underserved in the Buffalo community. Participants, uninhibitedly, create original Art pieces centered around self-expression to reclaim joy and creatively explore trauma in order that it may be released and lead to healing through this introductory practice.

Workshop Location: Tri-Main Building (Suite 441) | 2495 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214

Age Requirements: 13 and older

Embark on a humbling journey of self-celebration and healing with our Spoken Word Poetry workshop, designed to guide participants through the art of poetry. Tailored for community members seeking a dynamic means of self-expression and space to address both community and individual trauma, this workshop fosters an environment that values and celebrates each individual’s unique story. The theme, “A Celebration of Your Story,” underscores our commitment to providing a space for navigating personal journeys amidst societal challenges, systemic issues, and the collective healing from community and individual trauma.

In this workshop, participants will explore the intricacies of crafting and performing their own poetic narratives, addressing strong emotions, fears, personal inspirations, and the nuanced layers of trauma. The creative process is approached with a humble acknowledgment of each participant’s individuality, fostering an environment where everyone’s story is acknowledged and cherished. Join us for an inspiring experience that not only nurtures creative expression but also empowers participants to connect with themselves and others through the captivating world of Slam Poetry, within a supportive and humbling community setting dedicated to healing and self-discovery.

Workshop Location: Tri-Main Building (Suite 441) | 2495 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214
Age Requirements: 12 and older

Muhammad Zaman an Urban Artist based in Buffalo, NY. His style, which belongs to the Calligraffiti movement, is one of the most contemporary interpretations of Hurufiyya art.

The mix of languages that Muhammad includes English, Bengali, and Arabic, but the further artistic elaboration of the composition involves the juxtaposition of different layers of color and words.

His artworks represent the eternal debate on the meaning and perception by the audience. Muhammed’s work questions the existence of a unique message in art, and he enjoys the multifaceted perception of it by each member of the audience.

One of the most exciting things about Muhammad’s  Art production is how it brings to light a discourse about art itself, and at the same time on the themes dear to him, and much discussed in our day, which have to do with immigration, the cultural differences and mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.

Workshop Location: Tri-Main Building (Suite 441) | 2495 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214
Age Requirements: 16 and older

Zines and indie publishing have always been a way for non-mainstream groups and their experiences to be shared. Historically they are self-published or printed in short runs. Content includes fandoms, comics, music, art, poetry, and stories. Whether made by one person or a group, zines raise marginalized voices and give space for BIPOC, disabled, LGBTQI+, and other communities to find strength in shared experiences. Using zines to explore traumatic experiences gives a low-pressure outlet for expressing feelings.

Questions asked by Audre Lorde “Transformation of Silence into Action” that will be used for each workshop:

1. Of what had I ever been afraid? 
2. What are the words you do not yet have? 
3. What are the tyrannies you swallow day by day and attempt to make your own until you sicken and die of them still in silence? 
4. What do you need to say?

Workshop Location: Tri-Main Building (Suite 441) | 2495 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214
Age Requirements: 10 and older

As an artist YNX initially began his journey using music as a form of expression and an outlet to cope with personal trauma involving police brutality, self doubt, racism and much more. As Mental Wellness has taken a front seat in recent years, YNX will share his journey from coping to healing through music, written word and imaginative storytelling. Through deep exploration of various negative coping habits like drugs, alcohol and violence, YNX demonstrates the healthy benefits of using musical expression as a positive coping tool. Through creative exploration, thought-provoking questions and conversations, participants will be challenged to embrace their emotions and traumas. The workshop features written exercises, paired with live interactive performances by YNX that will encourage and support participants in sharing their original written songs that healthily express their pain, stress, doubts etc.

Workshop Location: Tri-Main Building (Suite 441) | 2495 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214
Age Requirements: 12 and older

Sewing is more than a trade or skill, for it can also be recreationally viewed as a “stress reliever,” or catharsis. By implementing strategies obtained through training with The Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning, Rashaad Holley, a well-known fashion designer, will guide participants through a rich, empowering experience while demonstrating his vast knowledge and experience as a prominent designer in the fashion industry. Each participant will learn the anatomy and operation of a sewing machine during this 6-hour workshop, then learn and follow along on their own personal sewing machine. Focusing on function and skill building, the workshop will conclude with a personalized technique workbook and the completion of a take-home project i.e.: a tote bag. As an equity-focused program, each participant will leave the workshop with their own new sewing machine and all of the tools from the workshop to continue their creative healing practice at their leisure. This workshop promotes art as a healing strategy, a practice that can only be practiced by those who have access to the necessary tools.

Workshop Location: Buffalo AKG – Studio A | 1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222
Age Requirements: 17 and older

This workshop will use visual art and poetry/spoken word to offer the community the opportunity to create a symbolic representation for the role police play in our society. Police vehicles are generally used as a tool for police officers to make their presence known. However, in Black and brown communities across the country, these vehicles are symbols of the dangerous and at times deadly relationship between police and the community, fueled by racial and economic bias.

During this workshop, each participant will receive a toy police car that they will reimagine using paint and cardstock paper as we consider the role policing can play in our community as we collectively work to build the community we deserve. Participants will receive a previously primed diecast police model car and then will use acrylic paints to embellish and decorate the toy car as they wish. Participants will also have the materials to create a type of diorama for a reimagined “scene” of public safety by decorating a plastic display case. In addition, participants will be challenged to write a haiku poem to describe their vision for our collective safety. Another option for participants is to write affirmations, poems, words, feelings etc of what they think about the current public safety or what they envision a more just public safety to be, they will add these strips of paper scraps with their words on them to a paper police car favor box that they can paint or leave as it. Participant suggestions and thoughts will be recorded during the workshop and provided to both Buffalo PD and the City of Buffalo Common Council as community input to improve our neighborhoods.

This workshop will act as a tool for community organizing and empowerment, the workshop will also play a role in helping the community members on the east side of Buffalo heal from the racially motivated attack on May 14, 2022. This will be accomplished, using trauma-informed care practices such as visual art (hands-on creativity), active listening, writing, and storytelling.

Workshop Location: Tri-Main Building (Suite 441) | 2495 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214 |
Age Requirements: 13 and older