Object Representation Activity -- one example

 Ms. Guarino’s Creativity represented by a Zucchini Lasagna -- a traditional dish with my own spin on it

Homemade tomato sauce represents Stories and Relationships

I grew up in an Italian American household where someone was always in the kitchen making sauce and hanging out telling stories. This was a foundation for me as a writer and theater-maker. The center of much of my work is home, family, traditions, relationships, and I see storytelling as a way to connect to people.

Zucchini represents Originality

In my house growing up, we always had lasagna with beef in it, not vegetables. But I grew to love the crunchy taste of zucchini instead of beef, especially when I became vegetarian. I think this shows that as much as I value traditions as a creative person, I also value experimentation and breaking the rules to discover your own signature style.

Squiggly Noodles represents Embracing your "Weird"

At the heart of lasagna is the noodles, and they seem like pieces of art to me in their creative shape. They remind me to “Why be flat when you can be squiggly?” They also get very bendy once you cook them, reminding me to invest in the process of becoming something more interesting rather than just accepting the first idea I have. 

Cheese represents Offbeat Humor and Fun

In my opinion, making any type of art has to be fun.  My friends and family know that I appreciate lots of different kinds of humor and am not afraid to embrace the “cheese factor” if it can add to the zaniness of a moment or a scene.

Rectangle shape represents First Impressions don’t give the Whole View

My mom always makes her lasagna in the same rectangular pan. It looks like a clearly defined structure that doesn’t have anything “outside the box.” However, the best thing about lasagna is the layers you see when you cut into it, the combinations of textures and flavors hidden beneath the exterior view. That is how creativity is for me too; I get pleasure in combining different things and using contrast to make more than a box inside a box.