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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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