Eliza has been working with children and youth in a variety of roles for over a decade. Her work has spanned outdoor education, early childhood education, arts education, enhanced support education, community arts, and now child and youth mental health. Eliza has worked as an instructor for Children's Arts Theatre School, Shakespeare in Action, and attended Young Peoples Theatre's Artist Educators Training. In 2017, Eliza launched her own initiative: Queen Bees Arts Education. The program runs extra-curricular and co-curricular programming focused on confidence and self-esteem building, as well as an inclusive and feminist-focused reading list for children: Honey in the Hive.
Eliza is studying Child and Youth Care (M.A.) at Ryerson University. As a child and youth care practitioner she is passionate about inclusive and trauma-informed spaces, child and youth advocacy, and the therapeutic benefits of arts-based, mindfulness-based and nature-based interventions. Eliza is currently completing a major research project which explores creative methods of emotional regulation to support children who have experienced childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences, are neurodivergent or live with mental health challenges. Her studies will inform the creation of a multi-intervention strategy emotional regulation resource, designed to be used in elementary classrooms to foster more inclusive and trauma-informed learning spaces. As an interdisciplinary artist and CYC-P, Eliza combines her practices whenever possible, works with both children and youth populations, and is particularly passionate about creative programming, mental health, and socially engaged art making.
Eliza is studying Child and Youth Care (M.A.) at Ryerson University. As a child and youth care practitioner she is passionate about inclusive and trauma-informed spaces, child and youth advocacy, and the therapeutic benefits of arts-based, mindfulness-based and nature-based interventions. Eliza is currently completing a major research project which explores creative methods of emotional regulation to support children who have experienced childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences, are neurodivergent or live with mental health challenges. Her studies will inform the creation of a multi-intervention strategy emotional regulation resource, designed to be used in elementary classrooms to foster more inclusive and trauma-informed learning spaces. As an interdisciplinary artist and CYC-P, Eliza combines her practices whenever possible, works with both children and youth populations, and is particularly passionate about creative programming, mental health, and socially engaged art making.
At present, Eliza continues to work as a guest artist in classrooms, leading creative workshops, and as a teacher and facilitator at Purple Carrots Drama Studio, offering accessible arts-based programming specialized in diverse neuro and physical abilities. Eliza is also privileged to be working alongside facilitators and youth of Lakeshore Arts' Youth Climate Collective, supporting a youth-led creative initiative for Earth Day 2021, as well as at her graduate student placements at Purple Carrots Drama Studio - Purple Circle, and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
Purple Carrots Drama Studio
Purple Carrots Drama Studio offers inclusive arts-based programming specialized in diverse neuro and physical abilities. Purple Carrots is a space for growth in connection and communication with self and other through drama. Combining elements of drama art, play therapy, speech therapy, improvisation, singing, dancing and music into theme-based workshops, Purple Carrots helps students with all abilities explore their full potential in a safe, supportive, and fun environment! Visit their website to learn more about programs offered here.
Youth Climate Collective
Youth Climate Collective (YCC) is a mentorship program by Lakeshore Arts through which mentees have been trained on how to use the digital space to raise awareness for climate change. A collective of 11 youths have explored the intersection of art and activism for 8 weeks resulting in this #EarthDay video.
Be challenged to pick up one of their actionable creative recommendations to make the planet a better place. The video was produced under the mentorship of YCC facilitators; Nick Sweetman, Graham Budgeon, and Eliza Martin and edited by Zamarla Joseph.
Be challenged to pick up one of their actionable creative recommendations to make the planet a better place. The video was produced under the mentorship of YCC facilitators; Nick Sweetman, Graham Budgeon, and Eliza Martin and edited by Zamarla Joseph.
Arts Education
Eliza teaches and offers creative workshops for schools and childcare programs. Learn more about the programming Eliza could offer as a guest arts educator:
Queen Bees Arts Education
Queen Bees Arts Education is a new arts education initiative created by Eliza Martin and co-founded by Cornelia Audrey and Olivia Orton. The goal of the program is fostering personal growth, creativity and self confidence in children, through dramatic art and storytelling. Queen Bees welcomes all, however focuses particularly on, and is designed for girls!
Eliza is thrilled to have brought Queen Bees to life, knowing how impactful and transformative the performing arts can be. Please visit the Queen Bees Arts Education website for more information.
Eliza is thrilled to have brought Queen Bees to life, knowing how impactful and transformative the performing arts can be. Please visit the Queen Bees Arts Education website for more information.