Educational Values of the “I AM AN ARTIST” Workshop

🎨 Artistic & Creative Development

• Explore Abstract Art Through Pouring Techniques
  Children learn to appreciate the difference between abstract and realistic art, and how abstract work expresses emotions and ideas through color, shape, and form.

• Hands-on Introduction to Acrylic Techniques
  Kids engage with contemporary art-making methods like pouring, layering, and tilting, developing a repertoire of techniques.

• Color Theory & Mixing Practice
  Participants discover how to combine colors, observe the chemical interactions (e.g., when silicone oil creates cells), and learn how layering affects the final visual outcome.

• Create a Unique Artwork to Keep
  Children take home a finished canvas, reinforcing a sense of completion, pride, and ownership over their artistic voice.

🧠 Cognitive & Intellectual Growth

• Develop Decision-Making Skills
  Choosing colors, layering order, and tilting direction allows each participant to make creative and strategic choices.

• Understand Abstract Concepts Like Contrast & Harmony
  Tied into a musical analogy, kids learn how visual elements work together or stand apart — a concept that bridges both art and music.

• Learn Scientific Principles: Viscosity & Fluid Behavior
  Mixing mediums, observing the movement of paint, and understanding silicone oil’s role introduces basic physics and chemistry.

• Process-Oriented Learning
  Following multi-step instructions and experiencing each part of the creative journey (from preparation to clean-up) reinforces sequencing and procedural thinking.

🧣 Motor Skills & Sensory Engagement

• Develop Fine Motor Dexterity
  Stirring, pouring, layering, flipping, and tilting all help improve hand-eye coordination and precise movement.

• Engage with a Variety of Materials and Textures
  Participants interact with thick and thin liquids, stickiness, smooth canvases, and rough wooden sticks, providing a rich sensory experience.

🌈 Social-Emotional Learning

• Boost Self-Confidence and Self-Worth
  Completing a painting that looks unique and beautiful provides a powerful, positive feedback loop: “I can make something amazing.”

• Practice Mindfulness and Patience
  From careful preparation to the slow unfolding of paint on the canvas, the process encourages presence, calm, and delayed gratification (especially as the artwork dries overnight).

• Celebrate Individual Expression in a Group Setting
  Even within a shared process, every painting is unique. This fosters an appreciation for diversity and creative freedom.

• Collaborate and Assist Others
  With a “Creative Crew” supporting the process, kids experience cooperative learning and peer support in action.

🪡 Safety, Responsibility & Respect for Materials

• Follow Safety Procedures
  Learning when and how to use gloves, avoid jewelry, and handle materials safely teaches responsibility.

• Respect Shared Space and Tools
  Clean-up, recycling, and organized workspaces reinforce respect for community environments.

🧰 Broader Educational Themes (STEAM)

• Connect Art to Other Disciplines
  The workshop bridges art with:

• Science (fluid dynamics, viscosity)

• Math (division of space, symmetry, order of operations)

• Music (contrast/harmony metaphor)

• Language (sharing their process, labeling)
  
  

• Encourage Risk-Taking & Embracing Mistakes
  Fluid art is unpredictable. Participants foster:

• A growth mindset

• Resilience when outcomes differ from expectations

• Joy in the unexpected and experimental

🌟 Most Importantly:

Discover that you are an ARTIST.
Regardless of age or experience, this workshop reveals that creativity is innate and art is for everyone.

 ____________________________________________________________________________________ E:merray.studio@outlook.com T:780.862.9555 A: 300, 9622 42 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5Y4