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"Creativity in Life"
A weekend of art and creativity
in
Diadjibine Gandega
On the weekend of February 27, 2003, PCV's Barton B., Erin B., and Dominic C. gave a cross-gender art workshop to 10 girls and 10 boys ranging in age from 12 to 18 years in Diadjibine. After a presentation which stressed the importance of being creative in all the activities of our day-to-day lives, the three volunteers began teaching a series of six classes streched out over the course of three days. The art classes were structured to help the students try to stretch their abilility to see things in new and different ways. Activities such as ink blots evoked the imagination in each student and coxed them to think "outside of the box." As it was the first time for some of the students to ever use colored pencils, the volunteers asked them to be especially colorful in all of their pictures.
Bart organized games and group activities to energize them and create a stronger sense of teamwork. The activities forced them to break out of traditional roles and try things that are out of their normal daily experience. Some of the village parents watched the sessions and were helpful in encouraging the boys and girls to "give it a try."
The second and third days' art classes were focused mainly on the human figure and how it moves. Dominic taught students how to look at the human figure in parts, how to express movements and actions, and how to bring out realism through shading and color.
The final leg of the instruction weekend was the completion of a 4 foot by 18 foot mural. The background for the mural was painted by Bart and Nick and consisted of scenes from around the world (sand dunes, tropical islands, grasslands, and a city). The students used their new techniques to add educational and sports activities to the foreground of the different regions. There are kids studying under a tree, playing soccer in the fields, reading books, etc...
During the final evening, a number of the local officials, teachers, parents, and elders were invited to share in the closing ceremony. The kids had the chance to show off their artwork and demonstrate some basic techniques they had learned. The mural will be placed on one of the walls of the Junior High School library for it's official opening in April. The volunteers were very pleased with the students' and community's efforts through out the weekend and considered it a great success.
