My experience as art workshop facilitator in schools and in international youth projects for the last 15 years, has taught me a lot about respect, listening and playing. Every group I have the pleasure to work with gives me a new experience that I can learn from.
In my work I offer materials and techniques and leave the creative part to the participants, while always assisting and giving helping questions and tools. I am always curious to see the input of the participants, how things look when they create them and what style comes automatically, especially if the participant thinks they are absolutely “not good at art”. There is room for participation adjusted to all needs and there are always surprises in who will end up making what contribution.
I work with a range of different media: painting, collage, creating objects or masks but also video, animation, photography or light. The important part is the collaboration, the values and the overall experience. For me the success of the workshops is not the aesthetic result, it is that each of the individuals participating experienced success, connection with others or connection with something in themselves.
Usually, the result of the workshop will be shown in an exhibition or a small performance, with the purpose showing one’s work as part of something, and so experiencing inclusion, but also finding out that it is totally ok to show your work, just as what it is, and this way fighting the negative idea of perfectionism. I believe that art in all forms is a powerful tool of connection and I find my work very important in this context, as there is very little time in schools dedicated to art. The workshops are designed so that all participants can experience some kind of success or connection on an art based playground and there are always a few participants that might have a stronger experience, and gain a new power that they can use after the workshop such as a new found courage, a grown self esteem, or a different way of seeing their colleagues. Finally, the workshop aims to provide a new perspective on art or a different attitude towards learning and self expression.
It is always amazing to hear from participants later on, or from teachers or group leaders about these experiences becoming a catalyst for an improoved well being.
Here is an article about my work in Exchanges for All.
Here is the video I edited for the research project Reach Out where I have participated as workshops leader together with musician Andy Penny from the UK, and choreographer Francisco Almeida (Pako) from Portugal.
Here is the result of the Reach Out Research on the benefits of workshops in schools.
