Supporting the Arts with a “Paint Knight”

Making art is a shared experience, and this project reaches beyond the classroom and the creative process that takes place there, into the community – to the parents of students, and staff and administration- with an invitation to participate and witness the joy and positive effects of making art. This project will use art students as facilitators, helpers and instructors because art is a shared experience. Attendees will be supplied with a canvas, paint, brushes, a picture to follow and individualized instruction and support from students and art teachers. The new artists will learn how to mix colors, apply paint and learn how emotions can affect color choices. Students work at tables of small groups of parents to answer questions, talk about color choices, techniques and application of paint. The idea is to share the process of creating art with families and to give people an opportunity to experience the joy and cathartic benefits of creating. This will also provide a forum for students to take on leadership roles and showcase their talents as student facilitators. The experience of families painting alongside their students will provide an opportunity to actually participate in an aspect of their lives they may not be familiar with.  This project is making art accessible to families and staff that may not have an opportunity to experience an artistic process such as painting.