How I Became a Teaching Artist
My love for art began in childhood when I found myself captivated by the transformative power of creativity. Art was more than just making beautiful things — it was a tool for reflection, self-expression, and connection. It gave me a safe space to process my thoughts and experiences. That early passion never left me.
I was fortunate to have art teachers who nurtured my interests and encouraged me to dream bigger. Their guidance helped me understand that teaching isn’t just about passing on skills — it’s about awakening confidence, imagination, and self-belief. That realization shaped the trajectory of my life.
Bridging Art and Education
After completing my undergraduate studies in photography at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, I began conducting community workshops and creative programs. I found purpose in helping others use art as a way to better understand themselves and the world around them. That led me to become a teaching artist — someone who merges creative practice with educational impact.
What Is Learning Through A Lens?
In 2012, I developed Learning Through A Lens, a free, project-based learning program that blends photography, creative writing, and self-reflection. It began with just seven Black homeschooled children in a living room and has since impacted dozens of lives. Many of those original students have now graduated from college and are thriving professionally.
Learning Through A Lens is rooted in the belief that creativity and emotional expression are essential life skills — especially for underserved youth who often lack access to high-quality arts education. This program helps students (ages 10–18) build confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence while strengthening their literacy and visual communication skills.
Why Project-Based Learning?
Studies show that students retain up to 90% of what they learn through hands-on, project-based experiences, compared to only 10% through traditional lecture-based instruction.
Children learn in different ways — visual, kinesthetic, reflective, expressive — and Learning Through A Lens meets them where they are.
According to the Arts Education Partnership, students with access to the arts are more likely to graduate, have higher GPAs, and are more civically engaged.
Unfortunately, many underserved communities have little to no access to quality arts education. Learning Through A Lens exists to change that.
Our Growth and Success
What started as a hyperlocal experiment has evolved into a tested model for transformative, arts-based learning. I’ve since earned additional credentials in Art Therapy, traveled to over 12 countries, and integrated global perspectives and cultural sensitivity into each course I teach. These experiences help shape the reflective, emotionally intelligent themes that are central to the curriculum.
We now offer three age-specific classes:
Ages 10–12: The Art of Photography: A Hands-On Creative Journey into Visual Storytelling
Ages 13–15: Visual Literacy Through Photography: Decode, Create, and Communicate with Images
Ages 16–18: Self-Discovery Through Photography & Creative Writing
Full class descriptions are available at learningthroughalens.com.
What We Need to Grow
To expand Learning Through A Lens nationwide and offer it completely free of charge via Zoom, we are currently raising funds for our Fall Session.
Your support will help us:
Purchase updated laptops, cameras, and editing equipment
Provide notebooks and creative supplies for each student
Hire administrative staff to manage enrollments and communication
Cover Zoom licensing and technical support
Offer small stipends to guest artists, mentors, and facilitators
This Is My Life’s Work
I’ve dedicated over a decade to creating, testing, and refining this program because I know firsthand how powerful creativity can be for healing, growth, and transformation. Learning Through A Lens isn’t just a teaching model — it’s my life mission.
With your help, I can take this from a grassroots passion project to a national platform for youth empowerment.
How You Can Help
Support this vision of integrated learning through the arts by contributing to a program that directly benefits underserved youth.
You can make a one-time or recurring monthly donation through our fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Monthly support helps us plan ahead and sustain the work long-term.
All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Every contribution, large or small, makes a direct impact.
If you’d like to connect, ask questions, or explore partnership opportunities:
Stephan Twist
Founder & Teaching Artist
Email: twistbrain@me.com
Phone: 202-290-0046
Thank you for taking the time to learn about this journey.
“I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs. I knew at that point I had to have a camera.” ~Gordon Parks
“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” ~Toni Morrison