“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.

Conclusion: You Can Create This Sort Of 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.

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Do you have a question about creating this easy collaborative art project? Ask away below!

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

Showing the Messy Playing stage - painted by Painting Around is Fun as we discover how to paint a group artwork — Messy Playing

Showing the exploring stage - painted by Painting Around is Fun as we discover how to paint a group artwork — Messy Playing

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

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

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!

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:

If you have a question about how to create a group artwork, drop it in the comment box below. You can also send me a message via the contact form. I’d love to help build your confidence to do this with a group you support.

Build Companionship, Conversation and Community with Collaborative Art Events featuring 'Companionship', a collaborative artwork created by over 300 people.

Collaborative Art Events: Uniting Communities Through Creativity

Collaborative art events offer a fresh and engaging approach to audience engagement. These events invite participants to contribute actively to the creation of a shared artwork. They foster a sense of community. They promote creativity and offer a unique and memorable experience. This article will explore the benefits of incorporating collaborative art events into exhibitions. It will give examples of successful projects. These projects have brought diverse people together to create stunning and meaningful works of art.

Collaborative Art Events: Adding a Unique Form of Community Engagement to Your Exhibition.

Collaborative Art Events - Myriad in Harmony collaborative artwork created at the Myriad Exhibition at the State Library of South Australia by people of all ages. — Collaborative Art Events – Community Art Project

The collaborative social art project at the Myriad Exhibition provided an exciting platform for visitors. They engaged in creative expression while visiting the art exhibition. It highlighted the artworks of artists living and creating with disabilities. Participants engaged in three structured stages over three consecutive days. The stages were Messy Playing, Exploring, and Bling. They explored warm colours with different sized brushes against a blue background. The project fostered a sense of community and collaboration. Visitors worked together to create this intricate and visually appealing artwork. It looks like it was created by one person. This collaborative art event enhanced the interactive nature of the exhibition. It showcases its potential to promote social inclusion and understanding. This is especially noticeable among the visitors to the exhibition which is organised annually by Community Living Australia. This wonderfully inclusive exhibition was held at The State Library of South Australia.

Collaborative Art Events: Bringing Diverse People Together to Create a Unique Artwork.

Collaborative Art Events - 'Companionship' the most important people skill - getting together with other people to create this cool coloured swirling artwork, painted by hundreds of people of all ages. — Collaborative Art Events – Create a Collective Artwork

Community art events are valuable platforms for individuals to connect. I had the absolute thrill to join in the Inaugural Art Story at Westfield Marion. These events allow individuals to express themselves creatively. They also help build a sense of community. This project involved over 600 participants. It offered daily open studio sessions. Visitors wandering through Westfield collaborated on three large-scale artworks. Through my series of structured stages, including messy playing, exploring circles and patterns, and decorative embellishment, the ‘BLING!’ participants were encouraged to experiment with various artistic techniques and contribute to the collective creation. This artwork is titled “Companionship.” It focuses on simply being with others as a fundamental human need. This underscores the importance of social interaction and community building. The creative process can be integral to achieving this aim.

Collaborative Art Events: Bringing Everyday People Together to Paint a Colourful Artwork as a Group.

collaborative art events - 'community' collaborative social art project created by Painting Around is Fun by hundreds of community members. — Collaborative Art Events: Create a Community Artwork.

Community is a powerful concept that can be expressed through art. The Inaugural Art Story at Westfield Marion showcased this idea. It was accomplished through a collaborative social project. This project involved over 600 participants who created three large scale artworks. Over two weeks, attendees of all ages and backgrounds came together to create this vibrant and dynamic artwork titled “Community.” Participants used various techniques. They engaged in messy playing, exploring, and adding bling. These activities added layers of colour. They also added texture to a red and green underpainting, as a stark white canvas is intimidating. The resulting piece was a symbol of collective creativity. It visually represented the interconnectedness and diversity that define a community.

In Conclusion: Why Should We Consider Collaborative Art Events?

Collaborative art events offer a unique and enriching experience for both participants and spectators. These events foster a sense of community. They promote creativity and offer a platform for self-expression. They bring diverse people together to create a shared artwork. The examples discussed in this article show that collaborative art events can engage audiences effectively. They spark conversations and create lasting memories. By incorporating such events into your exhibitions, you can add a dynamic and interactive element. This approach will leave a lasting impression on your visitors.

Discover simple tips on how YOU can create group artworks. You can make art like those from my collaborative art events. Do it right in your own home. Join my Inner Circle email list 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: Would you like to help create an artwork at a collaborative art event? What’s a setting where such a project would effectively bring people together? Maybe I can try that out in my local community too.

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?

Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies from from Painting Around is Fun! with a detail from 'The Carer Support Garden Mural' collaborative artwork.

Exploring Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies in Community Projects

Detail of the Carer Collaborative Garden Mural — Collaborative Garden Mural (detail)

Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies: The Carer Support Garden Mural

In 2017, the Carer Support Centre embarked on a heartwarming project to create a collaborative mural for their garden area. This project brought together a group of parent carers of children with disabilities to cooperatively paint an approximately 8m² mural. It was my ‘Parents Time Out’ group that I was a part of myself. The experience not only brightened up the garden. It also provided a creative outlet for carers who often face daily challenges and anxieties.

The four creative, collaborative artwork strategies I used in this group painted mural were: Underpainting, Messy Playing, Exploring and Bling!

Strategy 1: Easing into Creativity with a Bold Underpainting

Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies: mural underpainting — Detail of the underpainting of this Collaborative Garden Mural

One of the key creative collaborative artwork strategies employed in this project was the use of a bold underpainting. This first layer removed the intimidation of starting on a blank surface. It allowed the painters to dive straight into the creative process.

Strategy 2: Diving into Creativity with ‘Messy’ Circle Painting.

Mural Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies: Messy Playing stage of adding circles. — Messy Playing on our Collaborative Garden Mural

With stencils, brushwork, and stamping, the group decorated the wall with a vibrant array of patterns. These patterns—radial, concentric, and spiral—emerged naturally. Dots, dashes, and other creative marks appeared as each participant built upon the ideas and marks of the others.

Participants had the freedom to focus on specific areas. They also moved around the mural, adding their personal touches wherever they felt inspired. This free-form approach allowed the artwork to grow organically. It blended the contributions of each carer into a unified, beautifully layered piece. The mural became a symbol of the Carers’ collective creativity and resilience, embodying the essence of working together in harmony.

Strategy 3: Exploring Creativity with Patterning and Decorating

Mural Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies: Exploring stage of adding patterns and layers of more circles, spirals and dots. — Exploration stage of our Collaborative Garden Mural

This project wasn’t just about creating a mural. It was about giving a space for carers to connect, share, and express themselves. Through collaborative painting, these carers momentarily set aside their worries. They immerse themselves in a creative, supportive environment. The activity served as a powerful reminder that self-care is essential—not a luxury but a necessity. As the carers intuitively understood, taking care of themselves is not about putting themselves first. It is about including themselves in the care they give to others.

The Impact of These Creative Collaborative Artwork Strategies: More Than Just Art

The creative collaborative artwork strategies led to a stunning mural. It now serves as a bright, lovely addition to the garden. Each participant’s contribution shows the collaborative spirit. Their first names are hidden in plain sight. This detail reflects the shared pride in the final piece.

A Closer Look: The Beauty in the Details

A closer examination of the mural reveals the wonderful colours, creativity, and layers that made this project so successful. Different patterns and techniques interplay. Each contributes to the whole. This interplay is a visual representation of the project’s collaborative nature. It also shows the joy it brought to its participants. This project was created before I developed the Pattern Play Visual Resources available in my Collaborative Art Shop. Instead, I found visuals on Google images. These images showed ideas relating to circles for the painters to look at for ideas. Seeing what everyone else did on the wall provided the biggest source of ideas for this mural. It inspired all the adding, embellishing, and decorating!

Discover more tips about how to best use creative collaborative art strategies 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. It makes it effortless for you to paint a unique artwork using my three fun stages of collaborative art.

Let’s Chat: What About You?

How have you used any of these creative collaborative artwork strategies in your own projects? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!

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?

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?

The Power of Unity: Successful Collaborative Art Work Projects…

A collaborative art work called "Find Your Confidence" created by teenage girls as part of a social mural and social artwork project, showing swirling pinks, reds, peaches and yellows over a blue and aqua background.

Collaborative Art Work Project created by Primary School Children - Swirling blues, greens and aquas called "Aspiring to Success"

A collaborative art work painted by adult women who are carers of children with special educational needs, showing multi coloured circles, spirals and dots in overlapping patterns, called "Parents Time Out" Social artwork.

Discover the Thrill of Creating Collaborative Art Work!

Collaborative art work is awesome. Creating a painting with a group of people brings you together with a group of people in a shared creative experience. You grow in confidence as you are painting companionably with others, moving from place to place, interacting with what each other are doing, layering and overlapping. Your skills and confidence is build without comparison anxiety and performance pressure that we all feel painting our own individual artwork.

Let’s have a look at three collaborative art works from my own collection of social art projects:

Find Your Confidence in Creating the Layers of a Vibrant School Mural!

This collaborative art work: “Find Your Confidence”, was the ‘mobile mural’ part of a public mural in their school, Aberfoyle Park High School in South Australia, which takes the mural inside on a canvas, it was painted alongside the large wall mural. This collaborative art work was created in a freeform style – in a guided spontaneous form, with the girls directed to start painting circles, spirals and dots of different sizes and colours, then adding to the elements of each other, adding layers of patterns and marks, building on the visual complexity over several weeks.

Reflection:

This collaborative art work was created by a group of teenage girls. They painted out in public, building their confidence, realising they can do MORE than they may have thought possible – that people walking past watching them paint could be ‘zoned out’, and in fact those people were highly complimentary about what they were creating!

Aspire to Success by Using the ‘Success Strategies’ of Collaborative Art Projects.

This collaborative art work “Aspire to Success” was created by 120 junior primary students over three sessions and relates to the school logo of IQRA College in South Australia. The kids had a great time in several rotating groups, each level of kids doing a different stage – the reception kids did ‘Messy Playing’ with sponging, stencilling and scraping, the grade 1’s did ‘Exploring’ with medium and small brushes, and the grade 2’s did ‘Bling!’ with paint pens, stickers and glitter glue. SO many kids! This is a detail from 2 collaborative art projects created over three sessions.

Reflection:

This is one of two large canvases – needed with this many children, that’s for sure! The teachers told me of some children did more in this novel situation than they would in the regular classroom – it’s the novelty and the ‘group painting’ that enables shy children to be more adventurous as they can in some ways hide as they create with each other – moving around and being free to explore. They build their creative confidence and can then feel more able to create in their individual art.

In this collaborative artwork, created in only one session, we used brushwork, stamping, layering and overlapping. It has a mixed colour palette. These days I would have a coloured background (the underpainting) and then layer cool then warm colours. Really, a background that is not stark white is a game changer! There’s many ways of doing it – one colour, an ombre, using spray paint, using blotches of colours – all impact the final artwork, and most of all – an underpainting frees people to begin! That white canvas is very much a visual block.

Reflection:

This was the first collaborative art work I did with a group of fellow parent carers in our “Parents Time Out” activity for mums with children with special educational needs. This is when I first felt the thrill of collaborative art, and led to the hundreds of artworks created with over two thousand people so far.

3 Collaborative Art Works – Conclusion:

These three collaborative art works show how a variety of groups of people – young children, teenagers and adults enjoy creating together, and in doing so paint truly unique artworks developed from the dynamics of their group – whether that be ten ladies or 120 little kids just starting school. They have fun!

Discover how to create collaborative art works like these – Join my Inner Circle email list so I can give you “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.

– Charndra, Your Inclusive Social Art Guide.

Let’s Chat:

I love spirals. Circles turn into spirals. Big, small, open or tight spirals look great on an artwork – they are my favourite shape.

What’s your favourite shape?

Four Inspiring Collaborative Art Projects to Spark Your Creativity (Created with Groups) from Painting Around is Fun!

Exploring Collaborative Art Projects for All Ages

Let’s check out these four inspiring collaborative art projects. They were created with a range of people, including kids, children and teens. Adults and people living with disabilities also participated. Everyone is creative and always enjoy the thrill of painting around each other! All these social artworks were painted by groups of people.

The Magic of Collaborative Art Projects

Collaborative art has a unique energy. When many people (even a couple of us) come together, each brings their own flair and creativity. The outcome is a rich, layered blend of ideas. It extends beyond what one person achieves alone. This process fosters a unique shared vision. I call my form of collaborative art inclusive social art.

In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to four examples of these collaborative art projects. These artworks were created with myself as the social art guide. They were collectively painted by more than 450 people.

“Growing Together” – A Collaborative Art Project Created With Children.

This collaborative art project involved 30 primary school children aged 4-13. They participated in a summer holiday or vacation care program over three sessions. This was he first time they had done such a project, and wow, were they proud of the result!

A collaborative art project showing a swirling artwork of cool blues, greens and purples. — “Growing Together’ Collaborative Art Projects are Fun to Create!

Reflection: This painting taught us the importance of sharing space together. Thirty kids painted around each other during the sessions called Messy Playing, Exploring, and BLING! It all came together in this beautiful cooperative piece of art.

“Mia’s Rose” – One of the Collaborative Art Projects Created with My Daughter.

This collaborative art project was created by my daughter and I from when she was about 18 months old. Each 5 minute session we used either a blue or a pink, with some white. I’d offer her different sized brushes and stamps like balloons and other items to transfer paint on the canvas. Ten years later, this door-sized canvas hangs on her bedroom wall. We periodically add new layers. Purple is her new favourite colour, so that will be added next. We’ve painted through toddler, to preschooler, to primary school!

An abstract collaborative art project with blues and pinks created by a mother and daughter team. — “Mia’s Rose” a 2 person collaborative art project

Reflection: This artwork showcases how much fun collaborative art projects are for children. Even a five minute session was enough for a toddler. She enjoyed the creative control of choosing the colour each time, the equipment used (balloons, stencils, stamps, brushes…) Can you see our cat?

“Safety” – One Of A Set Of Two Collaborative Art Projects Created With Teenagers.

"Safety', an artwork of swirling light and dark blues, greens and purples. — “Safety” An inclusive Social Artwork created by teenagers.

Reflection: This artwork showcases how a group of teenagers who had never met each other can create something extraordinary. They did this in only a few hours. They key is a limited colour scheme and closed choices – simple “Pattern Play” ideas to copy. I have MANY Pattern Play visual resources to help you create beautiful layers!

“Community” – From A Set of Three Collaborative Art Projects Created With Members of the Public.

During the inaugural Art Story Artist in Residence program at Westfield Marion in 2022, I engaged with the public. I spent two weeks painting with over 600 members. We worked on three collaborative art projects. We worked on this one every day. One was in cool colours and another in warm colours. This one had both. On any day, we added layers of patterns in either warm or cool colours. This ensured that we had no muddy colours blotching up our artworks.

Colourful collaborative art project created by a large group of people — ‘Community’, an inclusive social art project

Reflection: This project was a testament to the power of community, with everybody working together to create something beautiful. Hundreds of people added their marks to this piece over the two week program.

Conclusion:

Collaborative art projects are fun and look best when they turn out well. No one wants to end up with muddy colors. To keep it eye-catching, use a limited color palette. Layer warm and cool colors separately when dry to avoid mixing them. This way, everyone can be proud of their unique creation and eager to share it!

Discover how to create collaborative art projects like these. Join my Inner Circle email list to get “Starting Your First Social Art Project at Home”. This is my free 7 page step by step guide. Creating a unique artwork is effortless. Use 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!

Trends in colour palettes change all the time. My favourite is called “Utopia”. I’ve based it on the series of that name. This inspired a series of collaborative artworks. I’m painting these artworks with my kids. What’s your favourite colour scheme at the moment? (Do you have a name for it?)

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

Join the Fun: Collaborative and Inclusive Social Art Projects!

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