ART :: Mixed Media Collage :: Dreams, Strengths & Abilities Workshop

Building upon our ongoing Paso a Paso program at Seeds of Hope, we have incorporated Art Workshops aimed to encourage the children to express their dreams, strengths and abilities through drawing, painting and other forms of mixed media.

An important aspect of this program is to provide an opportunity for the students to spend time in a creative space – producing a tangible work of art. There is a feeling of accomplishment when we are productive.

Our first workshop introduced the concept of collaging. The word Collage is derived from the French verb coller, which means to glue. The actual work of art is created by gluing objects to a surface. Collage art can be any combination of material, but we focused on using a combination of drawings and magazines.

We began the lesson with a concise brainstorming session where we shared dreams and ideas on the whiteboard. Surprisingly, group brainstorming is not a common tool for many of the students. It took a bit of encouragement to warm the kiddos up to the idea of sharing ideas out loud as a class.

:: BRAINSTORMING ::

We encouraged the students to think about how they envision themselves in the future. Will they be healthy? Do they have a desire to travel? Have a family? Play a professional sport? Become a chef or a medico? And most importantly, we asked the students to imagine their education ten years down the road. What University or Colegio do they want to attend? What career might they pursue?

Next, we discussed symbolism, craftsmanship and composition. Symbolism was an interesting concept to present and finding an image that represents an idea would prove to be a fun task.

Before we cut the students loose to begin their projects, we briefly introduced tips on ways to improve composition. We focused on progression of layers, integrating different media using pattern, color, repetition and/or texture - urging the kids to seek out interesting abstract colors and patterns opposed to literal objects.

:: A WORK OF ART - COMPLETED COLLAGES ::

 :: GROUP PRESENTATIONS ::

The collages are currently displayed on our 'Caja de suenos' wall - which features creative examples of the future aspirations of our primary students and highlights their strengths and abilities. We believe there might be a few mountain guides, medicos and football players among our students...

    

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