team art ideas 'Safety', an artwork created by a group of teenagers in a Young Carer Collective Team.

Inspiring Team Art Ideas for Creative Collaboration

team art ideas - 'Find Your Confidence' collaborative art mural project

team art ideas - collaborative art project called 'Safety'

Team Art Ideas: Get Your Group Together and Create Unique Art!

Collaborative art is a great way to get your team together and creating. I have three examples of team art ideas to share with you in this article. The examples include creating a mural with teenagers, creating an artwork with teenagers, and creating an artwork with adults. These examples include any age or ability level. They are just like all the collaborative artworks you’ll find on Painting Around is FUN! Painting around each other is just that. It’s a fun way to be companionable. You create something beautiful together and can be proud of your achievements working as a team.

team art ideas - 'Find Your Confidence' mural detail by Painting Around is Fun Social art projects created by a group of teenagers — Team Art Ideas: Create a Mural Together.

Team Art Ideas: Create a Collaborative Mural as a Team!

Our “Find Your Confidence” collaborative social art mural took place at Aberfoyle Park High School. It engaged a group of year 10 and 11 girls. They used team art ideas to build confidence through a large public art project. We began with Messy Playing, covering the wall with tinted primer using big brushes, rollers, and textured sponges. The girls then painted circles in warm colours, adding spirals and patterns to create visual interest. Layers of accessible patterns followed in the exploring stage, and we completed the mural with a final BLING! layer, using paint pens, glitter glue, and nail polish to add unique flourishes, responding creatively to each other’s work.

team art ideas - safety artwork by Painting Around is Fun Social art projects created by a group of teenagers in a Young Carers Collective. — Team Art Ideas: Create a Painting Together.

Team Art Ideas: Create a Collaborative Artwork as a Team!

The “Safety” collaborative social art project was created in 2022 with Carers SA’s Young Carer Collective. It explored team art ideas. These ideas represent why young carers aged 12-18 feel safe at Carers SA. Using cool colours symbolising safety, the group started with circles, ovals, and spirals that overlapped across the canvases. Drawing from my ‘Pattern Play’ inspirations, they added unique decorations and overlapping patterns. Small brushes were used to build layers of patterns, while meaningful words representing safety were added as text-based decorations. The young carers names were also hidden within the artwork, adding a personal touch to the collective piece.

team art ideas - circles of connection artwork by Painting Around is Fun Social art projects — Team Art Ideas: Create a Painting Together.

Team Art Ideas: Create a Collaborative Artwork as a Team!

This collaborative art project is called ‘Circles of Connection’. It was created with the Mums from the Australian Parent Carer peer support group called ‘My Time‘. It used team art ideas to relieve the stresses of raising children with special needs. The project achieved this through collaborative painting. The project started on a bright yellow ‘happy canvas.’ Everyone painted circles and moved around to overlap each other’s work. They outlined each other’s work, then used stencils to add more layers and visual interest. Stamps, dots, and bling like colourful stick-on gems and white and black paint added final touches. The artwork was completed over multiple sessions. This involved more carers. It serves as a lasting reminder of their shared creativity. The artwork decorates our meeting room to this day!

These team art ideas offer a powerful way to foster teamwork. They also boost creativity. This is clear in the diverse projects we’ve covered here. At Aberfoyle Park High School, the girls built confidence through a collaborative public mural. They used circles, patterns, and layers of bling. The Carers SA “Safety” project allowed young carers to express their feelings of security through overlapping designs and words. Meanwhile, the “My Time” carers group used a bright yellow canvas to create a stress-relieving artwork. They added stencils, stamps, and gems for a personal touch. These projects show how collaborative art encourages connection and creativity, leaving lasting impressions on participants. All are excellent ‘team art’ ideas you can adapt for your own groups.

Discover simple tips to create team art ideas using collaborative art examples like these. 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 my fun style of collaborative art.

Let’s Chat:

How can you use team art ideas to foster teamwork in group settings? How can these ideas enhance creativity in environments like schools or support groups?

Article: Collaborative Art Projects for Kids: Creating 'Our Fiery Circle Paintings' Together by Painting Around is Fun!

Creative Collaborative Art Projects for Kids

Collaborative Art Projects for Kids: by Painting Around is Fun showing a work in progress in the Messy Playing stage of Pattern Play Collaborative Art. — Collaborative Art Projects for Kids: – Messy Playing

Collaborative Art Projects for Kids: by Painting Around is Fun showing a work in progress in the Exploring stage of Pattern Play Collaborative Art. — Collaborative Art Projects for Kids: – Messy Playing

Embracing Culture Through Collaborative Art Projects for Kids

Collaborative artworks for kids offer an exciting way to blend creativity. They also help with cultural learning. Our Fiery Circles project took place during Vietnamese Culture Day. It provided an opportunity for children to express themselves artistically. They celebrated the Vietnamese cultural heritage of some of the students. This celebration gave them great pride. The project had three stages: Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling. Each stage contributed uniquely to the final artwork. The children covered canvases freely with vibrant colours. They explored patterns. Through this, they learned to collaborate and connect through the joy of painting. Each child added personal touches to their work. This resulted in a beautiful, collective artistic expression. The work reflected the multicultural pride that is part of Australian life.

Collaborative Art Projects for Kids: Messy Playing and Cultural Connection

The first step in creating collaborative art projects for kids is embracing the Messy Playing stage. This stage allows children to dive into the creative process without fear of mistakes. For our Fiery Circles project, the children explored the joy of painting during their Vacation Care Program. They covered 20 canvases with colourful circles. They filled the canvases with layers of circles. They used warm hues to engage with each other playfully and uninhibitedly. This stage was key to setting the foundation for their expressive and collaborative creation. We used a warm colour scheme because these colours harmonise when used together. ‘Creativity loves constraints’ means having fewer choices leads to more creativity. The kids aren’t worrying about how two colours mix into a gross grey colour. Instead, they can only blend into a related colour that works. This gives them confidence to play around, and build new skills and confidence.

Collaborative Art Projects for Kids: Exploring Simple Patterns

The canvases were filled with vibrant circles. The children then entered the Exploring stage. During this stage, they added different types of decorations to their collaborative circles. Inspired by the patterns found in nature, they painted concentric rings, radial flowers, and spirals. They added simple dots and dashes to and around the circles of so many sizes. This exploration of patterns allowed the children to think about the impact of cooperation on our art. They connected with each other in a meaningful, hands-on way. Some kids worked individually, others joined their efforts – both modes of working were encouraged. Through shared creativity, they built layers of visual interest and collaborative awareness in their artwork.

‘Circle Painting’ is a form of collaborative painting. This style was developed by contemporary Vietnamese and American artist Hiep Nguyen. He is a teacher at CirclePainting.org. Circles are the easiest way for people of any age to start painting, as circles make people happy! A circle can be nice and round. For our projects they can also be an oval, a blob, or swirl into a spiral. They may explode into a radial sun! The kids are reassured there are no wrong shapes. They can play around creatively. They can also move around the table to add their marks to all the different canvases. They are encouraged to overlap the edges and the work of others to dispel perfectionism. It’s simply paint, and any perceived error can be painted over. You can add to the ideas of others as they respond to what you are doing. This is a very important part of what we do in this style of collaborative art – embracing overlapping!

Collaborative Art Projects for Kids: by Painting Around is Fun showing "Our Fiery Circles" just before the NLING stage of Pattern Play Collaborative Art. — Collaborative Art Projects for Kids: – Exploring

Collaborative Art Projects for Kids: Adding Bling and Personal Flair

The final step in creating collaborative art projects for kids is the Bling stage. In this stage, children personalise their pieces with embellishments. After completing the group painting, each child participated in a random draw to select one of the 20 canvases. They added their own final touches of ‘bling.’ These included dot and gem stickers. This made their piece uniquely theirs before taking it home. The joy of personalising their artwork capped off a successful project. At the same time, the kids created a strip version of the project. They used strong kraft paper. This version is now displayed in the school. It celebrates both creativity and cultural pride.

Conclusion: The Joy of Collaborative Art Projects for Kids

The Fiery Circles project shows the impact of collaborative art projects for kids. It fosters creativity. They also promote cultural connection. The children experienced the joy of working together through Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling. They added personal flair to a shared project. Each child learned about the impact of a modern Vietnamese artist. They added their own individual expression. This allowed them to feel included and proud of their contribution. The exhibition of the strip painting at the school assembly serves as a lasting reminder of their collective effort. It highlights their creativity. The painting showcases the power of art to bring people together.

Discover simple tips helping YOU to create collaborative art projects for kids like these. Become a member of my Inner Circle email group. 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 an artwork using this style of collaborative art.

Let’s Chat:

How can collaborative art projects for kids help foster creativity and cultural connection in your community? What’s a cultural group you would gain from exploring collectively as a group?

Social Art Activities for Preschoolers: Engaging Ideas for Little Artists

Engaging Social Art Activities for Preschoolers

Social art activities for preschoolers - layered collaborative painting

Social art activities for preschoolers - layered collaborative painting in limited colours

Collaborative art is a fantastic way to nurture creativity in preschoolers while developing essential skills in a fun, interactive environment. Through these social art activities, preschool children explore different artistic techniques. They also build important physical and social abilities. Collaborative art projects enhance hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. They also foster cooperation and people skills. These projects offer endless opportunities for little ones to learn through play. In this article, you’ll discover engaging ideas. These ideas highlight how social art can support hand-eye coordination. They also promote the development of people skills and encourage cooperation and collective play. Let’s dive into these creative activities designed especially for young artists.

Social Art Activities for Preschoolers: Collaborative Art Builds Hand Eye Coordination.

Repeated exposure to activities naturally builds hand dexterity, muscle strength, hand-eye coordination, and confidence. With collaborative social art activities like ‘Mia’s Rose’ shown here, countless short ‘Let’s Paint!’ sessions resulted in this abstract painting. Visitors often think it’s a professionally purchased piece, only to discover my daughter started it at just 18 months old. We kept it simple. We used a limited colour palette—blue, pink, and white. We applied one tool or technique per session. This included stamping with a balloon. We used a large brush one day and a smaller one the next. Another technique was dripping paint outdoors. We also tried marble painting by rolling a paint-covered marble inside a taped-down paper plate. Anything goes! You can easily do this at home with your own children. It’s a minimalist project that lets you revisit the same canvas throughout the year, adding to it gradually. The limited colour scheme keeps the piece visually cohesive, while the focus remains on fun and skill-building.

Social Art Activities for Preschoolers: Collaborative Art Supports The Intrinsic Development of People Skills.

‘Painting Around’ each other is FUN! This simple social art activity for preschoolers occurs once a week. It involves layering various process art techniques over a canvas for a year. While engaging in these creative tasks, children naturally develop key people skills. They practice cooperation, compromise, sharing, and communication as they work together or independently. They copy and compliment each other. They exchange ideas and share equipment. All of this happens while building these essential social skills in small, meaningful moments.

Each session focused on a simple activity. We’d paint with a single colour, or add cut or torn printed papers by collage (three more skills!), or use foam stickers to trace around or paint over. A particularly exciting process involved using nail polish pots. The kids can grip these tightly in one hand. They used the tiny brush to paint. Forget short attention spans. These little artists were fully engaged. They used the nail polish pots for 20-minute stretches. They eagerly wanted to do it again the next week! This simple, captivating activity became a favorite. It showed how absorbed preschoolers can become when given the right tools to explore their creativity. We also layered stencils with sponging, added gem stickers, and even rolled toy cars through paint to create unique patterns. Finally, chalks provided a soft finishing touch. This creative process not only builds motor skills. It also fosters social growth. Children explore, play, and learn from each other in an engaging, collaborative environment.

Social Art Activities for Preschoolers: Collaborative Art Enhances Cooperation and Collective Play.

This second playgroup painting emphasised limited options for each session—one colour, one technique—and here’s why. Children need to cooperate while working together on a single canvas. They move around it, share materials, and create overlapping layers. This collective play helps kids develop flexibility. It also helps them adapt to change. It dispels perfectionism, which can be a barrier to skill development even at a young age. Using a limited colour scheme sharpens their creativity, as too many choices can feel overwhelming. Try this yourself! Join my Inner Circle for tips on creating this kind of social artwork at home. Sticking to one colour each session reduces the need for materials and cleanup. It also encourages children to explore that single colour or technique in depth. This boosts their creativity. Less is More.

What’s more, the pride they feel in their work grows each week. I make it a point to say, “Look at your artwork!” after each session, and we all give ourselves and each other a round of applause. This celebration of their effort fosters a sense of accomplishment and joy. It is like when I work with teenagers on murals. The same joy arises when I collaborate with adults on art projects. Everyone leaves smiling and feeling GOOD. This project was done over five years ago. These days, I’d suggest a three-colour rotation, including white. This offers even more creative variation while keeping things manageable.

Social Art Activities for Preschoolers: WHY?

Social skills, which I prefer to call ‘people skills’, are easily nurtured through collaborative social art activities. These activities also enhance gross and fine motor skills. These activities cater to brief moments of focus. They are ideal for young children. They offer them the chance to revisit the same artwork multiple times. Seeing other children engage encourages participation, creating an inviting environment for preschoolers to explore their creativity and new ideas together. The shared focus unites the children. Their collective effort helps foster a sense of community. They think about the final piece—whether it’s ‘You did that!’ or ‘We did that together,’ both are meaningful.

Discover simple tips that I used to create social art activities for preschoolers that 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 my fun style of collaborative art.

Let’s Chat:

After exploring these engaging ideas created with preschoolers, think about incorporating creative social art activities. Also, consider collaborative elements in your own early childhood setting.

Creative Collaborative Art Examples: “Our Painted Elephant”

When it comes to collaborative art, the possibilities are as diverse as the participants involved. One of my most inspiring art examples is the “Our Painted Elephant” project. This was carried out at a Marion Primary School Vacation Care Program in 2018. This unique initiative brought together children and staff. They created vibrant artworks. Their inspiration was drawn from the Painted Elephant Parade in Jaipur, India.

Bling for collaborative art example — Our Painted Elephant – a creative collaborative art example.

A Cultural Celebration through a Creative Collaborative Art Project

The “Our Painted Elephant” project was more than just an art activity; it was a cultural experience. The project celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the children in the school community. It also aimed to broaden everyone’s cultural awareness as part of the Holiday Care program’s Indian Culture Day. The art project connected to a real-world event. This connection allowed children to appreciate the cultural significance of the Painted Elephant Parade. During the annual festival, elephants are adorned with elaborate designs.

Underpainting for collaborative art example — Underpainting so people are relaxed to start their collaborative art work

The Process: Embracing Creativity

The heart of the project was its emphasis on creative process art techniques. The project had three stages. During these stages, the children and staff explored techniques like splashing, scraping, and stamping. They also tried stencilling, sgraffito, and spraying with masking. These techniques allowed everyone to experiment freely, embracing the unpredictable nature of art. The project was created on two fabric banners to be economical.

Messy Playing for collaborative art example — Messy Playing for the collaborative art example.

The Process: Embracing Overlap and Layering

Layering was a key focus of the day. Participants were encouraged to partially cover the work of others. This technique helped build up the richness of the surface. This overlapping approach helped foster a sense of collaboration, showing that individual contributions, when merged, can create something truly beautiful. Additionally, the project emphasised that there are no mistakes in art—only differences that contribute to the overall artwork. This mindset helped participants feel confident and empowered in their creative expression. By encouraging overlap and layering, perfectionism is kept at bay. The fear of not being ‘good enough’ hampers many people when creating art. By creating collaboratively, the children are freed from this comparison anxiety and simply play and explore.

Exploring for collaborative art example — Spraying black around the masking of the elephant face for this collaborative art example.

The Results: A Stunning and Creative Collaborative Artwork

The result of this creative journey was two spectacular pieces of art. They truly captured the essence of the painted elephants of India. These elephants are adorned with coloured chalk paints. This was the feel of the finished piece of art. Around 25 painters, ranging from age 5 to adult, contributed to the project. The final artworks were a testament to the power of collaboration. They highlighted the beauty of cultural exchange. The artworks celebrated the Indian heritage of several children in the school.

The success of “Our Painted Elephant” extended beyond the completed artworks. For the participants, it was a reminder of what they can achieve together, and a celebration of their collective creativity. The project not only produced stunning visuals but also left a lasting impression on everyone involved. the project is admired by everyone who visits the OSHC rooms to this day.

Conclusion: Revealing Our Painted Elephant – a Creative Example of Collaborative Art!

“Our Painted Elephant” is a shining example of how creative collaborative art can bring people together. It celebrates diversity. The project inspires collective creativity. The project engaged the kids in a shared artistic journey. It showcased the richness that comes from embracing different perspectives and techniques. This case study demonstrates the impact of collaborative art. It reminds us that when we create together, we can achieve something truly extraordinary.

Discover simple tips about how creative collaborative art examples like these can be painted by YOU. Join my Inner Circle email group, and 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 my fun style of collaborative art.

Let’s Chat:

What are some of your favourite creative collaborative art examples that inspire group creativity and connection?

Creating a Universe Together: The Success of Our Messy Mandala Group Collaborative Art Project

At Marion Primary School OSHC in 2019, 42 children embarked on an exciting artistic journey called “Our Messy Mandala.” This project, part of our ongoing commitment to group collaborative art projects, spanned over three weeks and resulted in a stunning three-panel standing screen that now brightens up the school library.

Messy Playing stage of our group collaborative art project creating a messy mandala standing screen. — Messy Playing stage of our group collaborative art project mandala standing screen

Week One of Our Group Collaborative Art Project: Messy Playing

The adventure began with the children diving into Messy Playing, where they painted the rings of the mandala in cool, pale colours. Each child had the freedom to express themselves, contributing to the mandala’s foundation. The room buzzed with creativity as the children explored different brush strokes and colour combinations, laying down the first layer of what would soon become a collaborative artwork.

Exploring stage of our group collaborative art project creating a messy mandala standing screen. — Exploring stage of our group collaborative art project mandala standing screen

Week Two of Our Group Collaborative Art Project: Exploring with Collage

The following week, we moved on to Exploring with Collage. The children used printed and painted papers to create various shapes—circles, squares, triangles, and moons—that they carefully layered onto the mandala. This stage was all about exploring shapes, patterns, and the joy of layering. The children’s enthusiasm grew as they saw their mandala taking shape, each piece adding depth and texture to the collective artwork.

Bling stage of our group collaborative art project creating a messy mandala standing screen. — Our Group Collaborative Art Project Messy Mandala Bling or Decorative Stage

Week Three of Our Group Collaborative Art Project: Bling!

In the final week, it was time for Bling! This stage was all about decoration and adding those finishing touches that made the mandala truly shine. The children added glitter paints, gems, and paint pens, transforming the mandala into a vibrant, eye-catching piece. The addition of these decorative details brought the mandala to life, making it a true representation of the universe—a universe we created together.

3 panel standing screen with a messy mandala in cool colours created as a group collaborative art project with children, — Our Group Collaborative Art Project “Our Messy Mandala” Screen

The Results: A Proud Achievement

The culmination of these three weeks was a stunning three-panel standing screen that the children proudly presented at assembly. The project didn’t just produce a beautiful piece of art; it fostered a sense of teamwork, creativity, and accomplishment among the children. The mandala quickly became a part of their play, integrating art into their everyday environment. It now stands in the school library, a vibrant reminder of what can be achieved when we create together.

“Our Messy Mandala” is a testament to the power of group collaborative art projects. It shows how creativity, when shared, can build not just artwork but also connections and confidence in young minds. The project was a resounding success, and the pride in the children’s faces as they presented their work spoke volumes about the impact of collaborative art.

Discover how to create group collaborative art projects like these – Join my Inner Circle email list to receive “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”, my free 7 page guide making it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork with a group of people in your life.

– Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.

P.S. I love collaborative social art and want to share it with you!

Let’s Chat:

What are your thoughts about this group collaborative art project?

Creating Inclusive Art: Social Art Projects for Special Needs Adults

What is the easiest way to create a collaborative, social art project for adults with special needs who are living with disability?

This process is easy and accessible for all ages and abilities. Engaging in creative activities is a powerful way to bring people together, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Social art projects for special needs adults offer an inclusive environment where participants can express themselves, collaborate with others, and contribute to something beautiful and meaningful. Here, I’ll share three of my own collaborative social art projects that highlight the transformative power of collaborative art.

"Enhancing Voices" one of four collaborative artworks created by 97 people living with disability and special needs — “Enhancing Voices” one of a set of four collaborative artworks created by adults with special needs.

Social Art Projects for Special Needs Adults: Enhancing Voices

The Enhancing Voices project was a remarkable journey of creativity and collaboration with members of Our Voice SA across the state. Over four regional conferences in Adelaide, Whyalla, Mount Gambier, and The Riverland, participants engaged in a series of art sessions that began with exploring circles and mark-making using colors inspired by the Our Voice SA logo. As the artworks traveled with Ali, their regional Social Art Guide, layers of patterns and embellishments were added, culminating in four richly detailed and unique pieces. The final artworks, which will be displayed in the meeting rooms at each location, are a testament to the creativity and voices of the 96 participants who contributed their flair. This project beautifully illustrates how collaborative social art can connect people across distances, creating lasting memories and fostering a sense of pride and community. Disability is not inability!

"Peer Support" an artwork created by adults living with special needs and disability. — “Peer Support” an artwork created by adults living with special needs and disability.

Social Art Projects for Special Needs Adults: Peer Support

The Peer Support project was created in collaboration with members of the Our Voice SA, a peer-led self-advocacy group supporting people living with intellectual disabilities. The project began with a ‘Messy Play’ session, using cool colours applied with sponges and scrapers to create a visually textured background. Participants then explored circles, painting and overlapping them to create a sense of unity and connection. The artwork was decorated with intricate patterns, and the final touches included paint pens, glitter glue bursts, and sparkly nail polish for a bit of BLING! The finished piece is a beautiful, unique artwork that symbolises the group’s inner strength and the supportive community they have built. It is displayed to raise awareness and support for the International day of persons with disabilities held annually in December. It was displayed at the Myriad Exhibition at the State Library of South Australia, celebrating the artworks of more than 70 artists, run my Community Living Australia.

Detail of a mural created by children and young adults living with special needs and disability.

Social Art Projects for Special Needs Adults: Our Sensory Garden Mural

The Sensory Garden Mural at Suneden Specialist School was a large-scale collaborative project involving 68 students aged 5-21, each of whom had the opportunity to contribute. Over two sessions with each of the nine classes, students worked with a variety of tools, including big brushes, rollers, extended brushes, sponges, and stamps, to create a visually rich mural with many layers of color and texture. Supported by dedicated staff, the project emphasised that every mark adds to the whole, breaking down barriers and allowing everyone to participate in creating a beautiful artwork. The mural, along with two mobile murals created using the same techniques and colours, is central to the Sensory Garden, offering the school community a vibrant, inclusive space to enjoy. Each child’s name is hidden within the mural, inviting exploration and a sense of ownership for every participant.

The Impact of Collaborative Social Art Projects

These projects highlight the incredible benefits of social art projects for special needs adults. By creating a supportive, inclusive environment, participants can explore their creativity, develop new skills, and experience the joy of contributing to a collaborative artwork. These experiences not only foster a sense of accomplishment but also build stronger connections within the community.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to start a social art project or want to explore more of my work, feel free to join my Inner Circle email list for updates and inspiration!

Let’s Chat:

What are your thoughts on how social art projects for special needs adults can create meaningful connections and foster a sense of community?

How to Make a Collaborative Artwork: 3 Inspiring Examples

How to make a collaborative artwork - Coffee Club Collaborative Collage Artwork

How to make a collaborative artwork - Carer Support Collaborative Circle painting Canvas

How to Make a Collaborative Artwork: 3 Inspiring Examples

Creating collaborative artworks is a beautiful way to bring people together, fostering creativity and connection through the shared experience of making something meaningful. Whether you’re working with friends, family, or community groups, the process is about embracing inclusivity, spontaneity, and the joy of co-creation.

In this post, I’ll share three examples of my collaborative artworks, each with its unique story and outcome. Let’s dive into how these projects came to life, focusing on the “Carer Support Collaborative Canvas,” a particularly memorable experience.

How to make a collaborative artwork - shows an example of a Carer Support Collaborative artwork on canvas.

1. How to Make a Collaborative Artwork: Carer Support Collaborative Acrylics on Canvas

In 2017, I had the pleasure of working with the Glandore Carer Support Centre’s “Parents Time Out” group, led by Tina. The goal was to create a collaborative circle painting canvas that would allow carers, many of whom hadn’t picked up a paintbrush since school, to reconnect with their creative side. This is the first collaborative canvas I did with adults, and it was so thrilling to me that here I am still doing it.

The Process: We started with a blank canvas, inviting each participant to paint a circle. The initial circles were just the beginning – from there, everyone was encouraged to explore their creativity by adding more circles, spirals, radial bursts, and dots. The idea was to let the artwork evolve organically, with each painter contributing in their own way, overlapping and enhancing others’ designs. At first people are hesitant about overlapping the work of each other, but I keep urging them to do so as it frees them and makes the artwork so much more dynamic and interesting.

The Result: In just two hours, eight painters collaborated to create a vibrant, eye-catching canvas full of colour and movement. The process was playful and relaxed, allowing the carers to express themselves freely while also connecting with each other through the shared creative journey. The final artwork was displayed in an exhibition at Skylight, another carer organisation.

Why It Worked: This project was a success because it removed the pressure of creating a ‘perfect’ piece of art. Instead, it focused on the enjoyment of the process and the collective experience. The collaborative nature allowed everyone to feel a sense of ownership and pride in the final piece. The painters were very proud that their work was in the Skylight Exhibition promoting mental health awareness.

How to make a collaborative artwork -painted paper collage example

2. How to Make a Collaborative Artwork: Painted Paper Mixed Media Collage

In 2019, I had the opportunity to work with the Marion Primary Mums Coffee Group, where we embarked on a creative journey to create a collaborative collage using painted papers. The aim was simple: to have fun and explore creativity in a relaxed, supportive environment.

The Process: We began by using three large A2 sheets of cartridge paper, covering the entire surface with cool colours using various sponges. This stage was all about experimentation, and the mums enjoyed exploring the different textures and effects they could create.

As the painted papers dried, we moved on to collage work. Each participant selected plain, painted, and printed papers, cutting them into circles. While I suggested a basic strategy to get them started, creativity quickly took over, and the group began to push the boundaries of what they could do with the collage elements, such as snowflakes and other random shapes inspired by the papers themselves.

Once the collage layers were in place, we added visual depth and interest with warm colours, including using art stencils with sponging. The final stage involved adding decorations, outlines, doodles, and patterns with paint pens. The mums had fun swapping pieces and adding their personal touches, creating a truly collaborative artwork.

The Result: The final pieces were vibrant, layered, and full of personality. Each mum contributed to the project, resulting in a series of framed artworks that decorated the meeting area. Everyone took home a piece of the project, creating a lasting memory of the experience.

Why It Worked: This project succeeded because it combined structured guidance with plenty of room for creative freedom. The use of different techniques and materials kept the process engaging, and the collaborative nature of the project fostered a sense of pride and ownership among the participants.

how to make a collaborative artwork example painted by children

3. How to Make a Collaborative Artwork: Group Painted Canvas by Children

In 2023, I collaborated with a group of 30 children and staff from Forbes Primary School’s Vacation Care program to create a social art project titled “Growing Together.” This project was all about embracing the energy and creativity of a multi-age group, allowing everyone to contribute in their unique way.

The Process: We began with a stage called Messy Playing, where the children used greens, aqua, and white to create spontaneous circles, dots, ovals, and spirals on a large canvas. This playful start helped the kids relax and get comfortable with the process.

Next, we moved into the Exploring phase, using small brushes to add patterns and details to the existing shapes. The children worked together to build on each other’s ideas, adding layers of patterns that brought the artwork to life.

Finally, we reached the Bling! stage, where the kids used paint pens, gems, stickers, and glitter to add a decorative sparkle to the piece. This stage was all about fun and collaboration, with everyone contributing to the final touches.

The Result: The finished artwork, aptly named “Growing Together,” reflects the natural theme chosen with the concept of the children growing up together during their time in the OSHC program. The 1m x 1m piece now hangs in their rooms as a reminder of the fun and collaborative spirit of the project.

Why It Worked: This project succeeded because it engaged children of different ages and abilities, allowing them to express themselves while contributing to a shared goal. The structured stages provided guidance, while the open-ended nature of the activities encouraged creativity, teamwork and pride.

Tips for How to Make A Collaborative Artwork

Set a Starting Point: Starting with ‘Paint circles’ gives the group a simple, accessible starting point. I suggest people paint three circles in each colour, some big, some small, as medium happens on it’s own due to their personal expression. Start SIMPLE!
Encourage Playfulness: The key to a successful collaborative artwork is letting go of perfection and embracing the joy of creation. Encourage participants to experiment with shapes and colours:
Celebrate the Process: Remember, the value of a collaborative artwork is as much in the process as it is in the final piece. Take time to appreciate each person’s contribution and the unique story your artwork tells.
Join my email list to receive “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home” my free 7 page step by step guide to creating artworks just like these.

Collaborative art projects are more than just a fun activity; they are a way to build connections, celebrate diversity of abilities, and create something beautiful together. If you’re inspired to start your own collaborative artwork, remember that the journey is as important as the destination – so gather your group, grab your brushes, and let your creativity flow!

Let’s Chat:

Collaborative art is thrilling – it’s so much fun creating with others. Which inspires you from the examples above?

Collaborative Painting Examples: A Journey Through Cooperative Creativity

The Magic of Collaborative Painting

Collaborative painting has a unique energy. When we paint together, each of us brings their own experience, ideas and creativity. The result is a dynamic combination of the interaction of the group in those moments. Here are four examples of collaborative painting. They highlight the beauty and visual complexity of this simple process. This process involves the three stages of Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling!

Collaborative painting examples: Encouraging Excellence

Collaborative Painting Example 1: “Encouraging Excellence”

One of my favorite collaborative projects is “Encouraging Excellence.” In this piece, 120 junior primary students at IQRA College in South Australia painted together over three sessions. Messy Playing was in the first week with the reception children. Exploring took place in week two with the grade 1 children. Bling occurred in week three with the grade 2 children. Two artworks were created, and this is a detail of one of them.

Reflection: This project was so much fun. The kids had a ball. They worked in smaller groups each week. The groups consisted of either boys or girls. They tried a variety of colours, brushes, and techniques. The resulting artworks were inspired by the logo of their school. The gold I often like to include shows the inner strength we all have inside us. It serves as a bright reminder. Each child received a print of one of the artworks. They can pop these prints on their fridges at home to proudly show their family and friends. The artworks also decorate the halls in their school.

Collaborative Painting Examples: Peer Support

Collaborative Painting Example 2: “Peer Support”

This is a detail view of the collaborative painting. You can see the free expression of people with a wide variety of approaches. Some participants had low tone – their contributions are just as significant as those with stronger hand control. In fact, the variety makes this piece beautiful. As I always say, every mark adds to the whole! We call the scribbly lines ‘spaghetti’, and by turning the canvas periodically it becomes a signature element of the artwork.

Reflection: “Peer Support” is a collaborative painting. It was created with and by people living with disability in South Australia. Members of Our Voice SA, a peer support and advocacy network, created this 1m x 1m artwork over three sessions. They did this to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). This day is celebrated every year on 3 December.

Collaborative Painting Examples: “Safety”

Collaborative Painting Example 3: “Safety”

“Safety” is an example of a collaborative painting. It was created by a group of teenagers who are in a Young Carer Collective in South Australia. They added layers of circles, spirals, and marks on a cool background throughout the day. Each painter added their flair in a few colours. There were two paintings created on the day. You can see them being created in this video: Carers SA Young Carer Stories

Reflection: By offering the painters simple instructions to create, their creativity is unleashed. Examples of patterns and marks were on hand for them to copy, or combine. This frees people to be creative, as creativity loves constraints!

Collaborative Painting Examples: ‘Companionship’

Collaborative Painting Example 4: “Companionship”

In “Companionship,” this collaborative painting example was created over about 8 sessions. Hundreds of members of the public were invited to join in. They used cool colours to add their own patterns and decorative elements from many suggestions on show. It was during my ‘Art Story’ at Westfield Marion. People had a great time contributing! I now have my ‘Pattern Play’ visual resources available at My Collaborative Art Shop.

Reflection: By using a limited colour scheme, this collaborative artwork is cohesive. Each session I had three colours available. These included a light blue, a green and an aqua. The aqua was made of blue, white and a touch of green. The next session would be a purple, a deep blue and a light green. Participants are encouraged to try each colour and experiment with the different ‘Pattern Play’ examples to choose from.

Final Thoughts About these Collaborative Painting Examples:

Collaborative painting is a rewarding experience that pushes the boundaries of individual creativity. It fosters collaboration, mutual respect, and a sense of community among the painters. The magic lies in the process. The experience of painting companionably is the fun part. The final artwork is a testament to what people can achieve painting together.

I hope these examples and insights inspire you to start your own collaborative painting journey.

Happy painting!

Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.

Discover how to create collaborative art examples like these. Join my Inner Circle email group to get “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”. This is my free 7 page step by step guide. Painting a unique artwork is effortless with my three fun stages. You can enjoy this activity with a group of people in your life. I love collaborative social art and want to share it with you!

Let’s Chat:

Do you resonate with cool colors like greens, blues, purples, and aquas? Which of these cool colours do you prefer and what do they remind you of?

Four Collaborative Art Examples to Inspire You!

Collaborative art examples - circles of connection a multicoloured layered artwork on a yellow background featuring circles, spirals, dots and elaborately detailed stencils.

Collaborative art examples - self advocacy - swirling warm spirals, circles and patterns in layers of yellow, coral, red, pink with a flash of gold leaf.

Collaborative Art Examples Taking You On a Journey Through Cooperative Creativity

Collaborative art is a vibrant and dynamic form of artistic expression. It brings together multiple artists to create a single and cohesive piece. This cooperative approach not only merges different styles and techniques but also fosters a sense of community and shared vision. In this blog post, I’ll take you through some collaborative art examples, using my own artworks as illustrations.

The Magic of Collaboration

Collaborative art has a unique energy. When multiple artists come together, each brings their own perspective, skills, and creativity. The result is a rich tapestry of ideas and techniques that often surpasses what any single artist can achieve alone. Here are some examples of cooperative paintings that highlight the beauty and complexity of this process.

Collaborative Art Examples: “Circles of Connection”

One of my favorite collaborative art examples is “Circles of Connection.” In this piece, many adults, including myself, worked together to create an artwork together. We started with a happy yellow underpainting. Then, we added layers of stencils, big circles, dots, and spirals in several colours and sizes. Each person was directed to do ‘three circles’ in each colour to start. Each layer had limited colours.

Reflection:

Painting as a group removes performance pressure and comparison anxiety. There’s always someone who claims ‘I’m not creative’ as they are nervous creating in front of others. I reassure them that every mark adds to the whole. Everyone else contributes once they’ve had a go. Soon people are busily playing around. When I give clear instructions like “Paint three circles in each colour,” they either follow them and dive in. Alternatively, it frees them to explore their own ideas…

Collaborative Art Examples: “Self Advocacy”

“Self Advocacy” is a collaborative art example. It collects the feelings of personal power and agency. These feelings arise when learning and teaching about self advocacy for a group of adults living with intellectual disability. Members of Our Voice SA, a peer-led self advocacy and peer support group, created this with their team. They worked as a community. Now, it decorates their meeting rooms. It stands as a symbol of what they did together. They shared a fun collaborative art workshop series.

Reflection:

This artwork showcases the power of guided collaboration. Everyone was understandably proud. The artwork was selected as a finalist in the 2024 Adelaide Fringe Festival Poster Competition!

Collaborative Art Examples: “Community”

For “Community,” I collaborated with several hundred members of the public. This took place during an artist in Residence program at Westfield Marion in South Australia. It was great fun to guide people to add patterns and shapes. They used either cool or warm colours depending on the day. It was created over 14 days. We used the Pattern Play visual resources that you can now buy at my shop!

Reflection:

This project gave people the freedom to explore their own creative ideas. It ensured a smooth and cohesive artwork through cooperative collaboration. Everyone worked with and around each other’s creations in a guided freeform structure of Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling!

Collaborative Art Examples: “Conversation”

“Conversation” was an exciting project. It involved members of the general public who wandered by. They were invited to create a beautiful example of collaborative art with me. The art featured warm colours like pinks, peaches, corals, yellows, and tinted versions of these bright colours.

Reflection:

This example was a testament to the power of collaborative painting. The freedom to explore patterns and marks is significant. Interacting with what others have done before you seems to naturally result in a wonderfully cohesive artwork.

Collaborative Art Examples: Final Thoughts

Collaborative painting is a rewarding experience that pushes the boundaries of individual creativity. It fosters collaboration and mutual respect. It also builds a sense of community among anyone creating them, no matter their level of creative experience. By working together, we can create artworks that are rich, diverse, and make a profound impact. It’s wonderful watching people relax and start interacting with the artwork, making it their own.

I hope these collaborative art examples and insights inspire you to embark on your own collaborative, social painting journey. Remember, the magic lies in the process as much as in the final piece. Happy painting!

Let’s Chat:

Collaborative art is thrilling – it’s so much fun creating with others. Which is your favourite from the examples above?

Discover Why Collaborative Art for Preschoolers is Essential for Early Learning.

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers - pink, blue and white process art abstract piece created socially by a preschooler and her mum using brushwork, stamping, stencilling, scraping, collage, marble painting and gravity.

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers - Our Playgroup People Painting with 30+ layers of process art techniques done weekly with around 20 preschoolers and their parents and carers.

These interactive and playful collaborative art projects for preschoolers engage children in quick activities that build their people skills.

They’ll be cooperating and playing alongside each other and naturally building their people skills, and begin to cooperate. Simple, process art collaborative art for preschoolers is highly impactful: Check out these three collaborative art ideas that your preschoolers will love!

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – ‘Mia’s Rose’

This pink, blue and white process art abstract piece was created socially by a preschooler and her mum (me and my daughter!) using brushwork, stamping with balloons, sponges, objects, stencilling, scraping, collage, marble painting and gravity. We used a limited colour scheme as you can see, only one colour per session, and sessions were only as long as she needed, as she was about 18 months when we started it. It hangs on her wall, and is actually about door-sized, so a big surface to play with.

Reflection:

This was a fun project, I encourage you to do it too. All my kids have one (and they change over time). We got large printed canvases from a budget shop, and simply painted over them. We added a cat stencil to them all which represent our pet cat. See if you can spot her.

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – Our Playgroup People Painting

This large canvas artwork was created with 30+ layers of process art techniques done weekly with around 20 preschoolers, their parents and carers. Paints, collage, stickers, chalk, gems, nail polish, paint pens and more can be seen. Preschoolers build skills easily by repetition and observation of each other – artists learn by copying, and modelling techniques works great. Simply say “Do this” and demonstrate, then hand it over and encourage ANY attempt with “Wow, you did it!”

Reflection:

Parents often don’t want endless bits of paper with art on them, and as our playgroup was in a shared space it was ineffective to leave paper around drying – so instead I did this – pulled out a large canvas each week and offered a technique to play around with one colour. This is the result!

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers: Playgroup Painting

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – Another Playgroup People Painting

This Playgroup People Painting was also created with many layers of process art techniques done weekly with around 20 preschoolers, their parents and carers. Paints, collage, stickers, gems, nail polish, stencils and more can be seen. Periodically I’d add some circles and spirals for structure – it gives the kids something to paint around and inside, something simple to interact with. An odd number, 3 – 5 works well.

Reflection:

We essentially used a random colour each week and explored a process art technique as needed to engage the kids that were there – one toddler for example ran a toy car through paint all over the artwork as that was what got him engaged and excited to do the activity. It’s all about the process – next week they do something else, and glimpses show through, building up the visual sophistication! I have also used a big box for this type of collaborative art – we pulled it out, played on it each week, then put it away. At the end of the year it was taken by someone in the school for a display then never seen again – so after that I did canvases that could be hung on the wall.

Collaborative Art for Preschoolers – Conclusion:

Creating collaborative art for preschoolers is simple – add layers of process art techniques on a large canvas so there is plenty of space to play. Building confidence and bravery to experiment and play while cooperating with others on a singular artwork confers essential skills for preschool learning. Try it!

Discover more tips about how to create collaborative art for preschoolers: Join my Inner Circle email list to receive “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”, my free 7 page step by step guide making it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using my three fun stages with a group of people in your life. I love collaborative social art and want to share it with you!

Let’s Chat:

Creating collaborative art for preschoolers generally terrifies people. Some people won’t even begin as they are scared of the potential mess. Never fear, the layers will save you. A splodgy area of colour gives the next child an area to draw on. Every mark adds to the whole. Variation is the spice of collaborative art! But add that variation one colour at a time, one technique, medium or process at a time, for ease.

After seeing the collaborative art examples above, what is the key takeaway you’ll be remembering for creating art with preschoolers?

Painting Around is FUN! Painting Collaborative and Inclusive Social Art Projects

Join the Fun: Collaborative and Inclusive Social Art Projects!

artworks