Body Mapping Workshop!

Today the number of participants for the holiday increased to ten and we worked in pairs to create a body map. One of each group was outlined on paper with koki and then with paint, pictures, drawings and stickers the pairs created a body map. The kids loved the process because it was the first time that we worked with paint. During the break they had sandwiches and oranges which obviously was thoroughly enjoyed by all. All of the new kids that joined us were not part of the usual programme and this was particularly interesting because they knew the routine and the group dynamic as if they had been a part of the process from the beginning, so obviously the regulars are encouraging their friends to join and filling them in before hand and by so doing, they are all becoming more of the natural leaders that they in fact are! Next week I will be using both days to make dream catchers. Hopefully I will be able to get my hands on a camera in the meantime so that I can take some pics of the outcomes and next weeks' sessions. Once again, a big thank you to David Muir whose cash donation made it possible the sandwiches possible!

First workshop of the holiday programme

Unfortunately, the project didn't have a camera available today so no pics of the paper-plate masks... A small group of seven kids attended this morning's workshop, four of the regulars and three new participants - one of whom was too young to be working with a scissors unfortunately. I had scheduled an hour and a half with the kids but my suspicion was confirmed that they would be more than happy to work for longer. I'll have to consider making sandwiches or maybe even some soup in future... I would have loved to design a school art project banner with the kids, so if anyone has some calico lying about, please send it to us! On Thursday I'll do some body mapping and introduce the idea of the banner - possibly I can get an old sheet from someone local... During next week I expect to be joined by Theresa Hardman who will be volunteering her time with the kids as well and then in the last week of the vacation, a group of students from UP (University of Pretoria)will be doing an outreach at the school through their sponsorship from the same cement company who sponsors the Owl House. I will try to get some pics posted of the next workshop if someone is 'nice' enough to offer the project the use of a digital camera. (Or if you have one lying about that you no longer use, get in touch)!

Landscape Drawings - with some quotes by Picasso

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.
Pablo Picasso

Art is a lie that makes us realize truth.

Pablo Picasso

Everything you can imagine is real.

Pablo Picasso

Action is the foundational key to all success.

Pablo Picasso

 The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.

Mark Van Doren

 If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it.

Margaret Fuller

 An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.
Charles Horton Cooley

 An artist is never ahead of his time but most people are far behind theirs.
Edgard Varese

 All art is but imitation of nature. Lucius Annaeus Seneca

  Knowledge exists to be imparted.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

  He that imagines he has knowledge enough has none.

Unknown

 A picture is a poem without words.

Horace 

 A child educated only at school is an uneducated child.

George Santayana

 Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.

John Cotton Dana

The group song has become like an anthem to the kids. They start and finish each session singing it. 

Recently as I leave the school on a Saturday the sound of their voices raised joyously in song echoes 

through the village as they go home or to play. I think this simple little song is the most satisfying 

element of the workshops thus far. To think, that just three hours on a Saturday morning with a 

group of other people's kids can make a grown man smile.

Workshop No. 8 - with quotes from Dr Seuss!

“You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.”

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.”

“And will you succeed? Yes! You will indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed)”

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

“Don’t give up. I believe in you all. A person’s a person no matter how small.”

“I know up on top you are seeing great sights, but down on the bottom we, too, should have rights.”

“If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.”

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!"

“Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them.”

"Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope."

Quotes from Dr. Seuss

Thanks to david Muir!



The project has just received another cash donation, from David Muir of Durban. A big THANK YOU from myself and all of the kids. With this money I will be able to purchase the rest of the required resources and enough dry soup mix and legumes to last a few weeks. Remember that if you are interested in sponsoring or supporting this project, check for the bank details in one of the earlier posts or post your donations to:

Lettie de Klerk Primary School Arts Project

C/O Michael Wentworth

Martin Street

Nieu Bethesda

6286

Here's looking you, at me...

Today for the 7th Monday session we did portraits. For young kids to realize the dimensions of the human face even though it is one of the things that we constantly engage with from birth. For some it is easier while for others, the manipulation of a pencil is really something that needs to be practiced. Strange how we can look at something everyday and yet fail to see what we are looking at. Very much like these kids in general who are seen everyday but are seldom acknowledged for the beauty and potential that they possess.

Soup on Saturday

The second weekly Saturday morning workshop has seen an increase in the number of kids attending. The focus of these sessions is toward developing a play that will be performed during the Fugard Festival. Due to the extended time that I spend with the kids during these sessions I have committed to providing them with a nutritious cup of hot soup during the break. The soup I make is very basic; a packet of soup mix, with either lentils, split peas, beans or samp, with onion and whatever additional veggies that are available. In total the pot costs about R20 - a measly sum to feed 14 kids. If anyone is keen and able to contribute to the Soup on Saturday component of the Lettie de Klerk Primary School Arts Project, cash donations can be deposited into the account of the founding sponsors, Ian and Katrin Allemann: 

Capitec Bank, Savings Account

Acc. Holder: Ian Allemann. 

Acc No. 1239263498. 

Branch 470010. 

Please use the reference: Art Project 

& Inform me via email at - ldkpsartsproject@gmail.com

Art Project Song - Final draft

KINDERS VAN VANDAG!

Ons is die kinders van vandag

Die leiers van die toekoms

Klein mense met groot drome

Jong mense met ‘n plan.

Wees julle tog ‘n voorbeeld

Sodat ons reg kan leer

Wees julle asseblief ‘n voorbeeld

Elke liewe dag.

Gee ons net ‘n kans

Om te leer en te grooi

Gee ons tog ‘n kans

Om te droom en te lag.

Ons will ewe sonder hartseër

Ons will ewe met respek

Sal jy my net life hê

Elke liewe dag.