Adult Group Art Project showing "Circles of Connection"

Need an Adult Group Art Project? Expressive Activities for All Skill Levels

An adult group art project offers an engaging and inclusive way for people to connect and create together. Using the principles of “Pattern Play Collaborative Art,” these projects typically involve three simple stages: Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling. These stages encourage participants to express themselves freely. They experiment with patterns. Participants add final touches that bring the artwork to life. Whether it’s painting circles, layering colours, or adding intricate designs, each step fosters collaboration and creativity. All the painters have fun exploring their creativity in a fun environment.

Adult Group Art Project 1: My Time: Circles of Connection

Adult Group Art Project showing "Circles of Connection"
An Adult Group Art Project – Circles of Connection

Engaging in an adult group art project is a powerful way to foster connection and creativity within communities. One memorable example is the “My Time: Circles of Connection” artwork, created alongside adult parent carers. This vibrant piece was the result of a collaborative effort that celebrated the carers’ experiences and unique contributions. The artwork featured interlocking circles in warm, inviting colours, symbolizing the connections and shared journeys of the participants. Through shared painting sessions, the carers discovered new ways to express themselves while forming meaningful bonds. My Time supports parent carers of children with disability.

Adult Group Art Project 2: Myriad in Harmony

Adult Group Art Project showing "Myriad In Harmony"
An Adult Group Art Project – Myriad in Harmony

Another inspiring project was “Myriad in Harmony,” a large-scale collaborative artwork created during a public art exhibition. Over three days, 80 individuals came together to contribute their creativity to a vibrant 1m x 1m canvas. Participants used warm hues of red, pink, yellow, and orange over a bright blue background. They painted circles, spirals, and patterns that intertwined seamlessly. The result was a striking visual representation of unity and diversity. It showcased the beauty of collaboration. It also brought out the joy of artistic expression.

Adult Group Art Project 3: We Talk Together (WIP)

Adult Group Art Project showing "We Talk Together"
An Adult Group Art Project – We Talk Together (Work in Progress)

The “We Talk Together” project is still underway. It is evolving as a dynamic work in progress with my Parent Carers’ My Time group. This artwork is an ongoing exploration of connection and chatting through creative expression. Each session brings new layers of colour, patterns, and meaning as participants contribute their unique voices to the piece. The project evolves to show the constantly changing and diverse experiences of carers. This evolution makes it a poignant and meaningful endeavour. Once completed, it will stand as a symbolic memory to the power of art in bringing people together. My Time is is for all parents and carers of children under the age of 18 who need a higher level of care than other children. This might be because of disability, a chronic medical condition, or other additional needs including developmental delay.

An Adult Group Art Project : In conclusion

These examples highlight the transformative impact of an adult group art project. They showcase how such initiatives can inspire creativity. They strengthen connections. They also celebrate the diverse experiences of participants. Whether completed or still evolving, each project is a reflection of the unifying and expressive power of collaborative art.


Discover simple tips about Adult Group Art Projects like these can be created by YOU. Join my Inner Circle email group. I’ll give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”, my free 7-page guide. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using this fun style of collaborative art.

Happy Painting! Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.


Let’s Chat:

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on Adult Group Art Project ideas!

Community Art Event Ideas to Bring People Together showing Art Story: Conversation.

Community Art Event Ideas to Bring People Together

When it comes to fostering connection and creativity, few experiences rival the magic of a community art event. At the heart of these gatherings is the joy of creating together, sharing stories, and building bonds. One standout example I developed and ran is the Art Story. The event took place at Westfield Marion in Adelaide, South Australia. It was a collaborative art event using my Pattern Play Collaborative Art approach. It brought people of all ages and abilities together in a shared artistic journey. During the simple stages of Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling, 600 participants unleashed their creativity. They connected with others and contributed to these vibrant shared artworks. The event featured three distinct collaborative artworks titled Companionship, Conversation, and Community, each symbolising an essential aspect of human connection.

Community Art Event Ideas 1: Companionship

Community Art Event Ideas to Bring People Together showing Art Story: Companionship
Community Art Event Ideas: Companionship

One of the most fundamental human needs is Companionship, which became the first artwork in the Art Story Community series. I used my fun and interactive Pattern Play Collaborative Art approach. Visitors to Westfield Marion were invited to paint. This occurred during the two weeks of the program. During the Messy Playing stage, they added bold marks, vibrant circles, playful spirals, and dots to the canvas. Each day alternated between warm or cool colours, creating a dynamic and layered progression. While Community grew each day, the other two canvases, Companionship and Conversation, took turns being painted on alternate days. This ensured each artwork evolved uniquely. I used either cool or warm colours at any one time. This made it both easier for myself, the painters and the creation of the artworks.

Community Art Event Ideas 2: Conversation

Community Art Event Ideas to Bring People Together showing Art Story: Conversation
Community Art Event Ideas: Conversation

After Companionship, the artwork Conversation captures the next natural step in developing community. People start to connect, chat, and share meaningful exchanges. During the Exploring stage of the Pattern Play Collaborative Art process, painters are encouraged to draw inspiration. They take ideas from simple, accessible patterns. These pattern resources are available in my online shop. Using progressively smaller brushes, participants added these patterns in creative ways. They clustered them together, arranged them in lines, surrounded shapes, or extended them inward from the edges of the canvas. With each addition, the artwork changed. Painters responded to and built upon the contributions of earlier participants. This process visually embodied the connections sparked throughout the process.

Community Art Event Ideas 3: Community

Community Art Event Ideas to Bring People Together showing Art Story: Community
Community Art Event Ideas: Community

The final artwork, Community, and its multiple colours is loved by many. It shows the goal of human connection. This connection is an outcome of companionship and conversation culminating in shared belonging. All three artworks were elevated during the Bling stage. This thrilling finale included participants adding decorative embellishments. They used paint pens, glitter glue, and, uniquely for this project, sparkly nail polish. These smaller tools allowed for intricate details. Participants applied the same accessible patterns in new ways. They added shine, depth, and personality to the vibrant layers beneath. The artworks in this series show a transformational journey. It begins with individual marks and ends with a collective artwork. This process celebrates the joy of creating. It also highlights the joy of connecting as a community.

Community Art Event Ideas: In conclusion

You may be organising a school program, a neighborhood celebration or a workplace team-building event. In all cases, The Art Story serves as an inspiring model. It shows how community art event ideas can come to life. These projects are accessible to all, making them perfect for fostering inclusivity and collaboration. By creating art together, participants experience the joy of connection. They feel satisfied as they contribute to something larger than themselves. This is a nod to the transformational power of collaborative art.


Discover simple tips about how community art event ideas like these can be painted by YOU. Join my Inner Circle email group. I’ll give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”, my free 7-page guide. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using this fun style of collaborative art.

Happy Painting! Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.


Let’s Chat:

How can Community Art Event Ideas like the Art Story series inspire connection and creativity in your local area?

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image and share your thoughts on Community Art Event Ideas like the Art Story.

Feature graphic for How to Make an Inclusive Social Artwork showing a detail of Myriad in Harmony.

How To Make an Inclusive Social Artwork

In the world of art, the process of creation can be as important as the final piece. The impact is especially true when it involves community engagement. The Myriad in Harmony project shows this. It serves as a guide on how to make an inclusive social artwork through my unique style of collaborative art. This style is known as Pattern Play Collaborative Art. The project unfolds in three simple stages. The first stage is Messy Playing, where participants start with free expression. Next is Exploring. This stage allows for layering and detailing. Finally, Bling brings the artwork to life with vibrant embellishments. These stages show the power of collaboration in artistic expression. They show inclusivity by inviting individuals of all ages and abilities. Everyone can contribute to a shared creative experience. 80 people spontaneously created this beautiful artwork over three sessions.

How To Make an Inclusive Social Artwork 1: Messy Playing

How To Make an Inclusive Social Artwork showing the Messy Playing Stage of warm colours over a bright blue background.
How To Make an Inclusive Social Artwork – Messy Playing

The Messy Playing stage of the Myriad in Harmony project was the vibrant foundation. It created an inclusive social artwork at the Myriad Exhibition. During this phase, participants of all ages and abilities took creative steps. They used large brushes and warm colors. The artwork was painted over a blue underpainting. The focus was on free expression. Attendees engaged in mark-making with big circles, spirals, and arches. This allowed their individual flair to shine. This hands-on, playful approach fostered a sense of community among visitors. It laid the groundwork for next stages of the artwork. This showcased the power of collaborative creativity and the joy of shared artistic experiences.

How To Make an Inclusive Social Artwork 2: Exploring

How To Make an Inclusive Social Artwork showing the Exploring Stage of warm colours in patterns over a bright blue background.
How To Make an Inclusive Social Artwork – Exploring

The Exploring stage of the Myriad in Harmony project built upon the foundation laid during the Messy Playing phase. It invited participants to refine their contributions with fun accessible patterns. Visitors used medium and small brushes to layer simple patterns. They applied these patterns onto the vibrant backdrop. Their unique touches enhanced the artwork. This stage encouraged individuals to focus on adding intricate details, promoting a sense of ownership and pride in their contributions. As participants collaborated, they engaged in friendly discussions, further deepening connections within the community. The Exploring stage changes the first spontaneous expressions into a richer, more textured artwork. It highlighted the creativity and perspectives of all involved. Meanwhile, it maintained a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

How To Make an Inclusive Social Artwork 3: Bling

How To Make an Inclusive Social Artwork showing a close up of the BLING stage
How To Make an Inclusive Social Artwork – detail of the Bling!

The Bling stage of the Myriad in Harmony project was the final flourish. It brought the collaborative artwork to life. This stage added an element of excitement and sparkle. Participants eagerly grabbed paint pens. They incorporated decorative patterns that built upon the layers created in the earlier stages. Their creativity shone through in bold and vibrant ways. This phase encouraged everyone to add their personal touch, whether it was through intricate designs or playful embellishments. The use of dot stickers and glittery sparkle enhanced the visual appeal of the artwork. It also fostered a sense of joy among the contributors. Celebration was a key part of the process. As visitors adorned the piece with these playful elements, they celebrated their collective achievement. A captivating masterpiece emerged that embodied the spirit of collaboration. It also highlighted inclusivity and community connection.

How To Make an Inclusive Social Artwork: In conclusion

In summary, How to make an inclusive social artwork is a multifaceted process. It thrives on collaboration and community spirit. This is demonstrated through the Myriad in Harmony project. Starting with the Messy Playing stage, participants engaged in free expression, laying the groundwork for creativity. This was followed by the Exploring stage, which encouraged individuals to add depth and detail to their contributions. This approach fostered a sense of ownership. Finally, the Bling stage infused the artwork with vibrant patterns and playful embellishments. It all culminated in a beautiful example of participatory art. This masterpiece reflects the collective memories and experiences of all involved. Through these stages, the project showcased the power of inclusivity. It also highlighted the joy of creating together. These stages serve as a blueprint for future social art initiatives.


Discover simple tips about how to make an inclusive social artwork like Myriad in Harmony. Join my Inner Circle email group. I’ll give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”, my free 7-page guide. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using this fun style of collaborative art.

Happy Painting! Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.


Let’s Chat:

Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with groups of people in your life!

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.

Article: Class Group Art Projects: Bringing Students Together Through Art showing a glimpse of Growing Together

Class Group Art Projects: Bringing Students Together Through Art

Class Group Art Projects bring students together in a fun, hands-on way, where creativity flows and teamwork shines. Using Pattern Play Collaborative Art, these projects guide students through three engaging stages. The stages are Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling. These projects create vibrant, collaborative artworks with the kids creating together as their skills and abilities combine. Each project, like King Leo, Fiery Circles, and Growing Together, combines the contributions of every participant into a cohesive whole. They combine expressive patterns, dynamic colours, and layered textures. This process builds meaningful, shared artworks that celebrate unity and imagination.

Class Group Art Projects 1: King Leo

Class Group Art Projects: Bringing Students Together Through Art showing King Leo, a collaborative collage project
Class Group Art Projects: King Leo

Class Group Art Projects offer a unique and inclusive way for students to connect, communicate, and celebrate their creativity. The King Leo project epitomises this collaborative spirit. Students and staff came together to create a colorful series of painted papers. They then cut these into circles and strips. The circles were then cut into spirals by the kids. These pieces were added to the canvas using glue, and the layers give the artwork a textured feel with shadows. I painted the lion’s face between sessions. Each student contributed their own pattern flair to the artworks, inspired by samples I had available for reference. You can buy these ‘Pattern Play visual resources’ at my Shop. They blended patterns over the collage pieces. They did this in clusters, in lines, using paint pens related to the painted paper colours.

Class Group Art Projects 2: Fiery Circles

Class Group Art Projects: Bringing Students Together Through Art showing Fiery Circles, a joint collaborative painting project with warm colours.
Class Group Art Projects: Fiery Circles

The Fiery Circles project encouraged incorporating bold colors and swirling forms. It gave students the chance to experiment with expressive mark-making. They also explored dynamic circular patterns. This Class Group Art Project used warm tones of red, orange, and yellow. It involved layering circles, spirals, and arches. This combination produced a fiery, cohesive artwork. It symbolised their unity and energy in creating it. Through these repetitive shapes and patterns, students learned about rhythm in art. They discovered the impact of collaboration. Each layer built upon the earlier one to create a stunning group piece. The project showcased that simple shapes can transform into captivating artwork. This happens when they are repeated and varied in size and color. This artwork reflects the energy and enthusiasm of its young creators. The result was a vibrant canvas. Each student personalised their own canvas with stick on gems. They added these dots in clusters or around a shape. Then, they took their part of this art project home to share and admire.

Class Group Art Projects 3: Growing Together

Class Group Art Projects: Bringing Students Together Through Art showing Growing Together a collaborative group canvas painting of cool colours.
Class Group Art Projects: Growing Together

The Growing Together project was an interactive Class Group Art Project. It took place with students during a school vacation care program. It highlighted the importance of teamwork in art-making. Students used the Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling stages of my Pattern Play form of Collaborative Art. They added layer upon layer of marks and patterns. This created a 1m x 1m collaborative artwork. The completed piece is now displayed at Forbes Primary School. It serves as a joyful reminder of the friendships formed between kids of different ages at vacation care. It also highlights the sense of unity fostered through collective creativity. With its lively blend of colours and patterns, Growing Together exemplifies how collaborative art projects can strengthen connections. They inspire pride among students. These projects leave a lasting impact on their school community. This artwork has been displayed at many school events. It fills the 30 students who were involved in its creation with pride.

Class Group Art Projects: In conclusion

Class Group Art Projects like King Leo, Fiery Circles, and Growing Together show the power of collaborative creativity in schools. Students follow the three stages of Messy Playing. They explore and add bling within the Pattern Play Collaborative Art approach. This allows them to experience the joy of teamwork and artistic expression. These projects leave a lasting impact. They build community and confidence. Simple shapes and colors are transformed into meaningful, shared artworks. These artworks show the spirit of unity and creativity.


Discover simple tips about how class group art projects like these can be painted by you and your students. Join my Inner Circle email group. I’ll give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”, my free 7-page guide. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using this fun style of collaborative art.

Happy Painting! Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.


Let’s Chat:

Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with groups of people in your life!

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.

Social visual art projects - a fun collective collage project

3 Social Visual Art Projects That Build Social Skills

Social visual art projects offer a unique way to connect people through creativity. They use three simple stages—Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling—to build social skills. These projects also foster teamwork. In these projects, participants experience Pattern Play Collaborative Art, a style that encourages vibrant self-expression and shared authorship. These collaborative art projects range from intergenerational paintings to imaginative monster cityscapes to vibrant harmony banners. People of all ages engage with art and one another in meaningful ways through these projects.

Social Visual Art Projects 1: Intergenerational Art Project

Social visual art projects - an intergenerational art project between seniors and primary school students
Social visual art projects promote inter-generational cooperation.

Screens and solitary activities often dominate our world. Social visual art projects offer a unique way to bring people together across age groups. They foster connection and collaboration. A powerful example is “Our Collaborative Intergenerational Paintings.” This project was completed at Marion Resthaven in the summer of 2019. It began at a local primary school Vacation Care. This inspiring project bridged generations. Children from a vacation care program joined residents at an aged care center. Together, they created a series of colorful, layered artworks. The project encouraged the young participants to practice patience. It taught them empathy and cooperative skills. They worked side by side with the elderly residents. The collaborative process strengthened their social skills. It also helped build meaningful intergenerational bonds. This created lasting memories for everyone involved. The Messy Playing and Exploring stages were completed with the kids at the school. They assisted the seniors with the Bling stage at the local retirement facility.

Social Visual Art Projects 2: Monsters on Skyscrapers!

Social visual art projects - a fun collective collage project
Social visual art projects promote communication skills

The second project, “Monsters on Skyscrapers,” sparked both creativity and collaboration. It was a unique cityscape-themed collage art activity with primary school students at Vacation Care in 2021. The project was designed as a social, collage-based activity. It encouraged children to work together on a shared night-time city skyline. This skyline was brought to life on long strips of kraft paper. The project started with a “Messy Playing” stage. During this stage, cool tones of pearl blue and purple were sponged across the roll of kraft paper. This paper would later become the skyline. The students rotated around the paper, ensuring everyone left their mark on the entire piece. In the next stage, “Exploring,” each child crafted their own skyscrapers from painted papers using simple templates they traced around. They added windows and other details using markers and stickers. Finally, for the “Personalisation” stage, each child created a cut-paper monster. The monster was made from only a small square of coloured paper. They used expressive face stickers to give their monster a personality. These monsters either “attacked” their section of the city or “protected” it. Their section was an A3 section cut from the long strip of city skyline. They then spontaneously told stories about their unique creatures. By sharing these imaginative tales, the children engaged in meaningful storytelling. They listened attentively and expressed themselves creatively. Through art, they strengthened their social bonds!

Social Visual Art Projects 3: Harmony Banners

Social visual art projects - harmony banner created by primary school children
Social visual art projects promote social skills

The third project, “Harmony Banners,” embraced the spirit of collaboration. It also promoted unity in celebration of Harmony Day at Marion Primary School OSHC. Over a three-week period, 42 children contributed to creating three vibrant 1m x 2m calico banners. They used harmonious colour schemes. One was cool, one was warm, and the other harmonised the colours of orange, yellow, and green. New techniques were introduced each week. This offered students the chance to explore various techniques like masking, blending, sgraffito, brushwork, stenciling, and doodling. The project also included fun additions like bingo dotters and glittery “bling” elements. Each child added their personal touch with a range of media. The banners became a patchwork of pattern play (an earlier form of those offered in my online shop). These came together as cohesive works of art. The children’s enthusiasm grew as they saw the layers build each week. They experienced artistic “flow” as they added to the banners. The collaborative nature of the project motivated them to take pride in the final pieces. They felt a strong sense of shared authorship and accomplishment. These “Harmony Banners” beautifully symbolised the joy of coming together and celebrating diversity through art. They were presented to the school on Harmony Day and continue to hang around the school.

Social Visual Art Projects: In conclusion

These social visual art projects showcase the power of creative collaboration. Our Collaborative Intergenerational Painting, Monsters on Skyscrapers, and Harmony Banners foster social skills. They also build empathy and teamwork. Each project brought unique activities. They offered storytelling opportunities that encouraged participants to connect meaningfully with one another. These connections happened across generations, through imaginative cityscapes, or in the spirit of community harmony. These shared experiences show how social visual art projects can create lasting bonds. They inspire creativity and celebrate diversity in truly engaging ways.


Discover simple tips about how YOU can develop social visual art projects like these. Join my Inner Circle email group. I’ll give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”, my free 7-page guide. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using this fun style of collaborative art.

Happy Painting! Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.


Let’s Chat:

Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with groups of people in your life!

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.

How to do a group community painting project showing the finished artwork created with 80 people.

How to Do a Group Community Painting Project 

If you’re wondering how to do a group community painting project, it’s easier than you think! In this guide, I’ll explain with 3 straightforward stages. These stages create a vibrant, shared artwork using my Pattern Play Collaborative Art approach. We start with Messy Playing to loosen up and get creative. After we loosen up, we move into the Exploring stage to layer patterns and shapes. Finally, the Bling stage adds bold, personal touches to make the artwork truly shine. Let’s dive into how each step works!

How to Do a Group Community Painting Project Step 1: Messy Playing

how to do a group community painting project showing a detail of the Messy Playing stage
How to Do a Group Community Painting Project: Messy Playing Stage

For the Myriad in Harmony: Unity Within Difference! project, we began with the first step, Messy Playing, to encourage spontaneity and creativity. This stage focused on making free-flowing marks without overthinking, helping contributors feel at ease with the paint and each other. Participants used warm colors like reds, pinks, yellows, and oranges. They painted these over a vibrant blue background. They added circles, spirals, and playful patterns. They layered their individual marks to form a collaborative visual story. It was a lively and interactive process, the first of three sessions over three days of the exhibition. This stage broke the ice and got people creating! It also set the tone for this community-driven artwork – everyone is creative.

This group community painting project was a collaborative art event. It took place during the annual Myriad Exhibition. The event was created by Community Living Australia. It aims to showcase the art of people living with disabilities in South Australia.

How to Do a Group Community Painting Project Step 2: Exploring

how to do a group community painting project showing a detail of the Exploring stage
How to Do a Group Community Painting Project: Exploring Stage

In the Exploring stage of the Myriad in Harmony project, participants started experimenting with different patterns. They also used smaller brushes as the layers built, adding more visual sophistication. They built on the foundational marks from Messy Playing. This stage encouraged everyone to get creative with shapes like arches, dots, and overlapping patterns. We used the exact patterns available in my Pattern Play Printable Cards. These elements gave the artwork depth and character. Participants layered vibrant colours from a limited colour scheme and explored new combinations of the patterns. They added their own unique touches. At the same time, they contributed to the collective vision. Trying new things and playing with pattern variations sparked conversations. This interaction brought people closer together. It reinforced the idea of unity through shared artistic exploration.

How to Do a Group Community Painting Project Step 3: Bling!

how to do a group community painting project showing a detail of the Bling stage
How to Do a Group Community Painting Project: Bling Stage

The final stage, BLING!, brought the Myriad in Harmony project to life with eye-catching embellishments. This is where participants added the finishing touches, using paint pens, glitter glue, and stickers to make their contributions pop. It was all about adding bold, expressive details that stood out against the layers of marks and patterns. The BLING! stage allowed everyone to personalise the artwork even further, with small additions of patterns with paint pens and stickers. These extra touches added a sense of excitement and celebration. They created a lively and vibrant piece. This piece reflected the energy and creativity of the visitors to this community art exhibition.

How to Do a Group Community Painting Project : In conclusion

In summary, a group community painting project begins with the Messy Playing stage. Here, participants freely make marks. This helps break the ice and build a collaborative foundation. The Exploring stage follows, encouraging creativity with patterns and layering techniques to deepen the artwork. Finally, the BLING! stage adds personal touches and bold details that bring the piece to life. These steps foster inclusion of all abilities, allowing everyone to contribute and creating a vibrant, unified community artwork. The Myriad Exhibition is held annually in Adelaide, South Australia. Myriad in Harmony: Unity Within Difference! is the full title of the project. It reflects how painting with 80 people creates an artwork that looks cohesive. The artwork appears unified, as if one artist created it!

how to do a group community painting project showing the finished artwork created with 80 people.
‘Myriad in Harmony’ Created by 80 visitors to the Myriad Exhibition

Discover simple tips about how to do a group community painting project like Myriad in Harmony. Join my Inner Circle email group. I’ll give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”, my free 7-page guide. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using this fun style of collaborative art.

Happy Painting! Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.


Let’s Chat:

Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with groups of people in your life!

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.

Circles of Connection: An Easy Collaborative Art Project for Groups by Painting Around is Fun!

“Circles of Connection”: An Easy Collaborative Art Project for Groups

Easy Collaborative Art Projects - showing 'Circles of Connection' created by adults with Painting Around is Fun!
Easy Collaborative Art Projects: “Circles of Connection” Final artwork.

This “Circles of Connection” project perfectly exemplifies an easy collaborative art project. It can bring people together and create a lasting impact. This project fostered a sense of community. It provided a creative outlet. The power of art was demonstrated in promoting mental health and well-being. As outlined below, the simplicity of the project made it accessible to all participants. The collaborative nature encouraged connection and a shared experience. People still talk about this shared experience today.

An Easy Collaborative Art Project: Creating a Sense of Community Through Art

Easy Collaborative Art Projects - showing 'Circles of Connection' created by adults with Painting Around is Fun in the Messy Playing stage
Easy Collaborative Art Projects: Messy Playing Stage of ‘Circles of Connection’

The “Circles of Connection” project is a prime example of a simple art project. It is meaningful and collaborative. Such a project can foster a sense of community and belonging. The project invited the Mums of “My Time“, a Carer peer support group in Australia. They participated in a shared creative experience. It aimed to give a much-needed respite from the daily challenges of raising a child with special needs. The collaborative nature of the project encouraged participants to connect, share their experiences, and create something beautiful together. During the ‘Messy Playing’ stage, the painters are painting groups of circles in different colours. They move from place to place around the canvas. The canvas is flat on a table. Circles can be filled in, be open circles, clusters of dots, and in any size. Overlapping is encouraged. Play is required! Everyone is reassured that they can’t mess it up. This is ‘Messy Playing’ and the whole aim is to have fun. The goal is to give the artwork a visually interesting base to build on.

An Easy Collaborative Art Project: A Step-by-Step Guide to Collaborative Painting

Easy Collaborative Art Projects - showing 'Circles of Connection' created by adults with Painting Around is Fun in the exploring stage
Easy Collaborative Art Projects: Exploring stage of ‘Circles of Connection’

The simplicity of the “Circles of Connection” project made it accessible to all participants, regardless of their artistic abilities. The process involved easy-to-follow steps. Participants painted circles and overlapped them. They used stencils, added embellishments, and applied bling. These steps ensured that everyone contributed to the final artwork. This process fostered a sense of ownership and pride. During the ‘Exploring’ stage, the painters add layers with stencils and small rollers. They include new colours as earlier areas dry quickly with acrylic paints. Painters are encouraged to keep the blobs at bay.

An Easy Collaborative Art Project: The Impact of Collaborative Art on Mental Health

Easy Collaborative Art Projects - showing detail of 'Circles of Connection' created by adults with Painting Around is Fun!
Easy Collaborative Art Projects: Detail of ‘BLING!’ stage with gems and white pen.

The “Circles of Connection” project not only created a visually stunning artwork. It also had a positive impact on the mental health of the participants. The Mums of the “My Time” carer peer support group engaged in a creative activity together. They managed to reduce stress! Painting together also reduces anxiety and feelings of isolation. The shared experience provided a much-needed boost to their well-being and strengthened their connections with one another. During the ‘BLING!’ stage, the painters each added stick-on gems.

My Time is a Federally funded peer support program in Australia for parent carers of children with extra needs. These needs may be due to disability, a chronic health condition, or other forms of developmental delays. Get supportive help from people who understand.

Conclusion: You Can Create This Collaborative Art Project With Your Group Too!

See how easy collaborative art projects can be? Simply get a canvas. Give it an underpainting so people are not intimidated by the stark white canvas. Yellow is a happy choice of colour, for instance. Start adding circles, both big and small. Medium happens on its own. Then decorate those circles. Add layers of simple ‘Pattern Play’ decorations. Remember to limit your colours to a ‘family’ like warm or cool. Alternatively, alternate colour families between sessions when the paint is dry. This is what we did here. Now, add another layer. Then, add another layer. Keep building up layers, interacting with what’s there, adding to it, overlapping it, until it is done. That’s it in a nutshell. You’ll find more tips in my downloadable guide of course:


Discover simple tips to create easy collaborative art projects like these. Join my Inner Circle email list and I’ll give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”. This is my free 7 page guide. It makes it easy to create a unique artwork. Use this fun style of collaborative art with your family and friends.


Let’s Chat:

Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with groups of people in your life!

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.

Showing the Bling stage (in detail) - painted by Painting Around is Fun as we discover how to paint a group artwork

Unlocking Creativity: How to Paint a Group Artwork in 5 Easy Steps

If you’re curious about how to paint a group artwork, the process is simple. It’s also more enjoyable than you think. Using my Pattern Play Collaborative Art approach, you’ll guide your group through three fun and creative stages. First is Messy Playing, where bold marks and shapes fill the canvas. Next is Exploring, where simple patterns layer in complexity. Finally, there’s Bling, where ornamentation and sparkle bring the artwork to life. Whether you’re working with friends, family, or a community group, these steps make collaborative art accessible and rewarding for everyone.

NB: The photos in this article are actually from three different projects, to show the variety I wanted to cover.

How to Paint a Group Artwork Step 1: Underpainting

Showing a simple form of underpainting - painted by Painting Around is Fun as we discover how to paint a group artwork
How to Paint a Group Artwork – Start with an Underpainting

Before a group painting project begins, I take care of the underpainting. This foundational layer sets the tone. It eliminates the intimidating ‘blank canvas effect.’ Often, people hesitate because they fear they will mess it up. The underpainting is usually in a related color, either applied smoothly or in a more textured, splotchy manner. Sometimes I add bold shapes around key visual points, incorporate random trailing lines, or even stencils for shorter projects. On occasion, I’ll enhance it with elements like gold leaf, giving the artwork an early layer of vibrancy.

How to Paint a Group Artwork Step 2: Messy Playing

Showing the Messy Playing stage - painted by Painting Around is Fun as we discover how to paint a group artwork
How to Paint a Group Artwork – Do a layer of ‘Messy Playing’ to help them relax.

In the “Messy Playing” stage, the focus is on covering the canvas with a variety of playful, spontaneous marks. Circles, spirals, and simple mark making ideas are encouraged. Circles can take on many forms, like blobs, ovals, or dots. This approach allows for a mix of both large and small shapes to emerge naturally. If in doubt, I always suggest adding another circle, some raindrop-like marks, or dashes that resemble pouring rain. Each of these marks has a simple, accessible name to make it easy for everyone to follow along. I remind participants that we’ve already made a mess. From here, the only way is up. It can only get better! This mess provides a wonderful base to build on, with layers peeking through to the final design.

Messy Playing allows people to access their creativity and relax into the process. They dive in, move around the canvas, and overlap shapes. This adds depth and visual interest. It brings the artwork to life in a dynamic and exciting way.

How to Paint a Group Artwork Step 3: Exploring

Showing the exploring stage - painted by Painting Around is Fun as we discover how to paint a group artwork
How to Paint a Group Artwork – Explore Layering Simple Patterns Next

In the “Exploring” stage, we start refining the artwork. We use brushes that progress from medium to smaller as the layers build. We continue adding and decorating circles while layering vibrant patterns from my ‘Pattern Play‘ visual resources. There are over 100 accessible and simple patterns to choose from. I introduce them a few at a time. This approach avoids overwhelming the participants. Offering 3 to 5 choices makes the process smoother, embodying the idea that “Creativity Loves Constraints.” It’s much easier to choose between a handful of options. This is far better than deciding from 100 ideas or being told, “Do whatever you like.” The ‘Exploring’ stage can continue for weeks, even throughout the year!. You can also start your own collaborative art project by joining my email list below.

How to Paint a Group Artwork Step 4: Bling!

Showing the Bling stage (in detail) - painted by Painting Around is Fun as we discover how to paint a group artwork
How to Paint a Group Artwork – Decorate With Paint Pens and Stickers

The “Bling!” layer is where the artwork truly shines—literally! This stage is all about ornamentation and decoration, adding that final touch of visual flair. We use paint pens to layer more patterns, outlining and decorating the lines and shapes created earlier. This adds depth, sophistication, and intricate detail to the painting. For an extra touch of sparkle, participants love adding bursts of glitter glue. Some projects call for us to use nail polish to create flashes of glimmer! This playful ornamentation brings the artwork to life, transforming it into a dazzling, dynamic piece.

How to Paint a Group Artwork Step 5: Finishing Touches

After the group has completed their part, I take the artwork home for about an hour of editing. This involves tidying up the edges. It includes enhancing focal areas and subtly bringing out the “voice” of the piece. This is done without altering its essence. It is much like how an editor refines writing while preserving the original intent. I paint the edges in a neutral grey. Then, I label the back with the artwork’s title. I also include my name as the social art guide. Depending on the project, I incorporate the names of the painters into the artwork. I hide them in plain sight as a lasting tribute to their contribution.


How to Paint a Group Artwork: In conclusion

Learning how to paint a group artwork is all about embracing creativity, collaboration, and fun. Participants start with a carefully prepared underpainting (Step 1). This helps them overcome the fear of the blank canvas. They then dive into Messy Playing (Step 2). During this step, playful marks and overlapping layers create a lively base. The Exploring stage (Step 3) introduces accessible patterns that refine the artwork with thoughtful choices, while the Bling! layer (Step 4) adds sparkle and intricate details for a vibrant finish. Finally, the project is completed with subtle Finishing Touches (Step 5). This ensures the artwork reflects both the group’s effort. It also captures its unique voice.


Discover simple tips about how to paint a group artwork. Join my Inner Circle email list. I’ll give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”. It’s my free 7 page guide. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using this fun style of collaborative art.

Happy Painting! Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.


Let’s Chat:

Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with groups of people in your life!

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.

Blog post: Creating Connections: Engaging Students in Whole Class Collaborative Artwork by Painting Around is Fun! Featuring 'King Leo', 'Our Messy Mandala' and 'Fiery Circle Paintings', all created with primary or elementary school children as a whole class collaborative artwork. Showing a close up of King Leo, a collaborative painted paper collage painting of a lion with a spiraling red mane on a blue background.

Creating Connections: Engaging Students in Whole Class Collaborative Artworks

At Marion Primary School Vacation Care and OSHC, the children engaged in various collaborative artwork projects as a whole class. These activities fostered creativity, teamwork, and self-expression. These projects were designed to be inclusive. They aimed to be engaging. Each participant contributed their unique flair while working toward a shared artistic vision. The students experimented with vibrant circle paintings and messy mandala. They also created their school’s lion mascot. They explored the dynamic nature of collaborative art. The students embraced spontaneity and creative freedom.

Whole Class Collaborative Artwork 1: King Leo

Blog post: Creating Connections: Engaging Students in Whole Class Collaborative Artwork by Painting Around is Fun! Featuring 'King Leo', created with primary or elementary school children as a whole class collaborative artwork.
Creating Connections: Engaging Students in Whole Class Collaborative Artworks – King Leo

In 2022, Marion Primary School Vacation Care began a collaborative artwork project. The whole class worked together to bring their lion mascot, King Leo, to life. This social art initiative involved over 30 children and staff. They worked together in multiple stages. The project began with the Messy Play phase. During this phase, they created textured painted papers in warm colors and blues. The children enhanced their scissor skills by cutting Leo’s mane from spirals and circles. Then, they assembled it. After assembling, they added intricate embellishments using paint pens, patterns, and glitter. The final artwork was proudly displayed at the Westfield Marion Art Story. It was admired by many. A print was gifted to each student to commemorate their contribution. This whole class collaborative artwork serves as a lasting reminder of the school’s value of ‘Integrity.’ King Leo now watches over their rooms.​

Whole Class Collaborative Artwork 2: Fiery Circle Paintings

Blog post: Creating Connections: Engaging Students in Whole Class Collaborative Artwork by Painting Around is Fun! Featuring 'Fiery Circle Paintings', created with primary or elementary school children as a whole class collaborative artwork.
Creating Connections: Engaging Students in Whole Class Collaborative Artworks – Our Fiery Circle Paintings

In another creative endeavour, Marion Primary School Vacation Care created a project called ‘Our Fiery Circle Paintings’. The children began by preparing a vibrant ‘underpainting ‘Messy Playing’ stage. They used warm tones, focusing on reds, oranges, and yellows to create a lively, dynamic background. The children freely painted and overlapped circles and blobs, eggs and ovals. They layered clusters of these circular shapes in varying sizes, using both brushes and sponges to build depth and texture. During the ‘Exploring’ stage, the emphasis was on overlapping and adding simple patterns. These actions helped integrate the colours and patterns into a cohesive whole. This expressive, whole class collaborative artwork beautifully celebrated their creativity. It captured the energy and spirit of the group through their unique contributions​. The children worked together on the 20 small canvases. They moved around and added their flair to each one. The children left their unique marks on all of them. I call these projects joint collaborations. The kids then drew on their canvas randomly. They added stick on gems for the BLING to personalise it. Each took an artwork home, knowing they all worked on them together.

Whole Class Collaborative Artwork 3: Messy Mandala

Blog post: Creating Connections: Engaging Students in Whole Class Collaborative Artwork by Painting Around is Fun! Featuring 'Our Messy Mandala', created with primary or elementary school children as a whole class collaborative artwork.
Creating Connections: Engaging Students in Whole Class Collaborative Artworks – Our Messy Mandala

One of the standout projects from the Marion Primary School OSHC program was ‘Our Messy Mandala’. This collaborative art piece encouraged the children to work together. They explored radial patterns and practiced spontaneous mark-making. This all occurred within a structured, accessible process. The group used a mix of bright cool colours. They applied paint in layers to create a vibrant, circular design. This design shows the universe, as all mandalas do. Each child added their unique flair. They experimented with shapes and patterns. This resulted in a mandala that was both chaotic and harmonious. This whole class collaborative artwork highlighted the power of group creativity and left a lasting impression on the participants. It now decorates the school library for the whole school to admire.​

Whole Class Collaborative Artworks: In conclusion

Each of these projects showcased the power of whole class collaborative artwork. From the fiery circle paintings to the intricate messy mandala, each was a symbol to this power. The final results were greater than the sum of individual efforts. Through my unique ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ process—moving through the stages of ‘Messy Playing’, ‘Exploring’, and ‘Bling!’—the children at Marion Primary discovered the joy of artistic collaboration. Whether layering colours, adding embellishments, or crafting patterns, they experienced the magic of creating something beautiful together, celebrating the creativity and diversity of their contributions​


Discover simple tips about how you can create whole class collaborative artworks like these. Join my Inner Circle email list. I’ll give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”, my free 7 page guide. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using this fun style of collaborative art.

Happy Painting! Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.


Let’s Chat:

Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with groups of people in your life!

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.

Art Article: Bringing Creativity Together: How To Start Collaborative Art Projects At Home showing one of the 12 completed artworks submitted to the Incognito Art Show in 2024

Bringing Creativity Together: How To Start Collaborative Art Projects At Home

Are you wondering how to start collaborative art projects at home? My Pattern Play Collaborative Art style offers a fun and simple way to get started. Using just three stages—Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling—you can create vibrant, layered artworks with family or friends. Our recent entry for the Incognito Art Show 2024 followed this process. It brought together our unique ideas into a cohesive and exciting piece. The kids had a hands-on experience in creating and exhibiting their art.

How To Start Collaborative Art Projects At Home 1: Messy Playing

Our family project for the Incognito Art Show 2024 was a joint creation with my kids. After registering, we received three A6 cardboard panels. We decided not to work on them separately. Instead, we taped the backs together with blue tape to form one large piece. I started by creating a blue and white marbled background, and then we dove into the Messy Playing stage together.

Using black conte crayons, we all added gestural drawings across the panels. With big brushes in hand, we layered large, repeating shapes over the drawings, working as a team. I encouraged everyone to add something to each section with every layer. We overlapped the edges to connect all the parts of our artwork. It was such a fun and spontaneous process that brought our creativity together.

How To Start Collaborative Art Projects At Home 2: Exploring

For the Exploring stage, we each added new layers, with every pass using a different colour and pattern. My son was particularly drawn to the infinity symbol. He boldly incorporated it into every panel. It became a central motif. We worked with a limited colour scheme of blue, orange, and pink, along with pops of black for contrast. We mixed in white. This created variations in the colours. Each layer became more dynamic and added depth to the patterns.

How To Start Collaborative Art Projects At Home 3: Bling!

For the final Bling stage, we each took one of the three panels. We personalised them with paint pens and fine liners. Everyone brought their own ideas to life, adding unique details and patterns. It was exciting to see how differently we approached this stage! Once finished, we named our artworks based on what we could see emerging from the designs. This made the process even more fun and meaningful. After completing the backs and adding our details, we uploaded the information to the website. We also sent our entries back to Sydney, New South Wales, for the exhibition.

How To Start Collaborative Art Projects At Home : In Conclusion

How to Start Collaborative Art Projects at Home is as simple as gathering a few materials and letting creativity flow. Our family’s entry for the Incognito Art Show was a perfect example of this. At the show, each artwork sells for $100. The artist remains anonymous until after purchase. We started with the Messy Playing stage, adding gestural drawings and large shapes. Then, we moved to the Exploring stage, layering colours and patterns. Finally, in the Bling stage, we each personalised a piece. The entire process was a fun and meaningful experience. The profits from the sales support studios like Studio A, which provides opportunities for artists living with disabilities. It’s always exciting to hear from the collectors who purchased our works. The kids loved creating, exhibiting, and selling their art within the safety of a family project.


Discover more simple tips about how to start collaborative art projects at home like these. Join my Inner Circle email list. I’ll give you “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”, my free 7 page guide. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using this fun style of collaborative art.

Happy Painting! Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.


Let’s Chat:

Are you keen to try this form of collaborative social art? It’s called ‘Pattern Play Collaborative Art’ because we layer approachable and accessible patterns from my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources. These resources are tools. They help you create unique and beautiful collaborative art projects. You can paint with groups of people in your life!

Want to join the conversation? Head to my Facebook | Instagram | Threads to find the featured image. Share your thoughts on collaborative art.