Mussoorie - Kids' Art Workshop

Just before our August intern returned to the US, we traveled to Mussoorie where we re-connected with old friends, met new friends, and conducted an Art Workshop for the kids in the neighborhood where we stay. The fourth picture is my new favorite photo of all our art-related activities - those two youngsters were so delighted at this opportunity to make art - probably their first such opportunity! They certainly made the most of it, and in a delightfully charming way.

Shahpur Jat Kids

Once a month the kids from the neighborhood are invited into the Gallery to make art. This time the project was organized by one of the kids themselves for a art contest sponsored by Camlin, the major Indian art product manufacturer. Several of the participants seemed to have never held a pencil before, much less a crayon or an oil pastel! At the end of this posting is a short video of the two youngest participants who are incredibly engaged in exploring oil pastels.

Painting Without Brushes Workshop

The last Workshop of August was conducted by one of the Made-to-Create Team, Moumita, an artist who has been practicing for several years, became acquainted with the Gallery through the Residency program last Spring, and is now affiliated with the Gallery through the Made-to-Create Project.

Paper-Clay Workshop

Vivek Prasad, a local artist specializing in clay and specifically paper-clay based on his own formula (he has a PhD in Chemistry and until recently was teaching at a university, which he resigned to pursue pottery full time), led this Workshop on Saturday August 22. The "Made-to-Create" team continues to grow closer in relationships as we coordinate and arrange these workshops, and then participate in art-making together.Janis' & Chuck's are the last two.

 

Horizon/Diversion Houses

In addition to the balloon sculpture (see previous post), the combined residents of the two houses also did an oil pastel project describing how their week had been. Here are most of the girls (some of the Horizon House girls had to leave for embroidery training, and one had a job interview at a nearby mall - great and incredible developments for these girls who were on the streets only a short time ago!).

Balloon Sculpture at Diversion/Horizon Houses

Young Mi, our friend from LA and an artist, visited during August. She introduced a number of innovative ideas for activities - one of which is this balloon sculpture done by the girls of Diversion and Horizon Houses. We had some other activities, but the balloon captured their attention!

Autobiographical Artist's Book

Young Mi led this Saturday workshop that led to some precious sharing at the end. This was first art making experience for one of the participants. You simply will not be able to identify which one it is despite the fact that most of all the rest of the participants are practicing artists!