Urban Light was the one place I got to visit every single week (because I made sure to ask to go). It was really neat to see more boys show up each week. Maggie ran the workshop that we did today and they got so into it! We made dream catchers, minus the cool string designs in the centre. Instead, they had to create a collage of things that represent them. They got to decorate it however they wanted and all of the boys, even one who never ever participates was enthralled. They even posed for pictures after which never happens.
I really liked this workshop because it wasn't something that people get intimidated by which is something I've noticed. Some times I've noticed that some students become intimidated because they are simply thrown into using new media and they don't know what to do. This was simple but complex and the boys took off with their creativity, laughing and sharing the entire time.
I really liked this workshop because it wasn't something that people get intimidated by which is something I've noticed. Some times I've noticed that some students become intimidated because they are simply thrown into using new media and they don't know what to do. This was simple but complex and the boys took off with their creativity, laughing and sharing the entire time.
About Wat Muen Ngen Kong:
"Wat Muen Ngen Kong is a Buddhist temple school situated in Chiang Mai near the office on Samlan Road. In addition to our Young Lions Global Artists program, ARI sought to connect with a nearby school to conduct a second neighbourhood art program. We developed "World Travelling Artists" modelled after the original Young Lions Global Artists program. Each week, we bring our map of the world and "travel" to a different destination to explore different cultures through art. ARI has provided passports for each student to receive a stamp after they visit each country, with the children's photo and name inside.
Cultural education is an essential component of helping students feel valued and included. The development in their own identity is mirrored in our exploration of people, culture, and history throughout the world. Through education about other cultures and countries, we can help our participants to develop their own identity and give them a space to be creative and produce something that they can be proud of. We aim to acknowledge the key role that art plays in not only creative thinking but also developing cultural understanding. Promoting understanding of cultural differences is particularly challenging, so we aim as much as possible to include the cultures of our present volunteers, so that the students have a model for identification. Our "World Traveling Artists" program is an example of how ARI strives to build bridges of cultural understanding through art" (ARI Handbook, May 27, 2016).
"Wat Muen Ngen Kong is a Buddhist temple school situated in Chiang Mai near the office on Samlan Road. In addition to our Young Lions Global Artists program, ARI sought to connect with a nearby school to conduct a second neighbourhood art program. We developed "World Travelling Artists" modelled after the original Young Lions Global Artists program. Each week, we bring our map of the world and "travel" to a different destination to explore different cultures through art. ARI has provided passports for each student to receive a stamp after they visit each country, with the children's photo and name inside.
Cultural education is an essential component of helping students feel valued and included. The development in their own identity is mirrored in our exploration of people, culture, and history throughout the world. Through education about other cultures and countries, we can help our participants to develop their own identity and give them a space to be creative and produce something that they can be proud of. We aim to acknowledge the key role that art plays in not only creative thinking but also developing cultural understanding. Promoting understanding of cultural differences is particularly challenging, so we aim as much as possible to include the cultures of our present volunteers, so that the students have a model for identification. Our "World Traveling Artists" program is an example of how ARI strives to build bridges of cultural understanding through art" (ARI Handbook, May 27, 2016).
I really liked the idea behind this program. Sarah and Neang decided to do a face paint workshop. Unfortunately, when we went to go buy face paint it was professional grade and only had three colours which is no fun! So thinking on the fly we decided to do finger painting instead. For having to change the whole workshop at the last minute it went really well. The kids were super excited when we arrived and that excitement never stopped. They had so much energy! They painted some really cool pictures, some were more abstract while others were realistic. They also loved Pepo, like a lot, at one point they were all sitting down and slowly one by one they stood up and slowly tried to get closer and closer to her.
To end our spectacular day of workshops Sarah, Carina, Maggie and I decided it would be fun to go on a dessert tasting around town. We stopped and grabbed cheese cake and they gave us two extra pieces (absolute sweethearts), then we had gelato (Ferraro roche) and then topped the night off with a banana and nutella rotee (delicious)! It was so nice to have a little night out with these three lovely ladies. I am really going to miss them, they have made my experience that much better and they have taught me so much!