Kid Collaboration

I have done a lot of art making "Collaboration" fundraisers with kids, schools and adults, but this one was special because my grandson Wyatt was a part of it. It was Camp Wildcat, a summer family camp, and all the 17 kids who signed up for art camp made a 48x48 acrylic painting using big palette knives and big brushes. The finished painting was put up for bid and the highest silent bidder got to take it home. The owner is a kindergarten teacher and the money goes to fund the next years Camp art and crafts events.

What I love about Collaboration is how it starts out with hesitation and then builds toward integration and trust,. What happens when 17 kids take on the task of mark making on a huge canvas? The timid ones watched a while before diving in. Not timid after a while, they all want to get up there at once. We have to take turns in Collaboration. I give pointers toward how to scoop up the mixed paint, how to use the tools, how to interact with building upon the shapes and marks that each one makes by taking turns. Once a few shapes are made, the kids start to use their imagination and see things in the paint. Once this happens, it is hard to hold back their enthusiasm.

Some don’t want their marks disturbed, others go forward to add to the shapes and marks. The word abstract starts to define its meaning. As we talk about what is happening in the paint, I turn the painting around in order for them to see how the shapes look in another direction, so they can see other ideas form to further the mark making process. Active paint and active minds percolate.

So, as some fall away to lose interest, and want to go to the playground, the interested ones keep going. After the canvas is fully painted, we stare at it from each direction to agree which way works the best. That is when the imagination starts to churn. Some see fireflies, some see constellation and galaxies far away, or flowers. And additions are made to further the collaboration. The fun is in the interaction of ideas and excitement to find out how Collaboration works. They start to get it. The word collaboration is repeated and defined. The word abstract cements the meaning in process. Then I suggest pulling it together with additional color shapes to enhance what is there. The brushes get a work out to tie it all together. Many helpers create the end result. After lunch time, we go in to see how it is drying, and I start to clean up the shapes with the ones that want to watch. Then we all take it for the parents and others attending the camp to enjoy. The next day at the end of the Camp, we collect the ballots and see who takes it home. Everyone is happy enjoying the stories and see the enthusiasm. Collaboration is team building, and they get the lesson on how team building together makes for great experiences and friendships.