Painting and Drawing

Ñanta's painting and drawing workshop has existed since February 2003. The NATs are free to participate each day in the activities of the workshop and to use the materials available, including acrylic paints, crayons and clay.

The child and painting

The director of the area suggests a theme each day to the children, and a choice of materials nd techniques, but above all the creativity and free expression of the children take priority. Occasionally visits to museums and other places of culture are arranged for the children to paint what they experience there. The workshop tries to offer every child something of interest to them.

The painting and drawing workshop addresses themes in the daily lives of the children, and the difficulties they encounter, teaching them to reflect on them and express their reactions. A teacher in this workshop is allowed into the world of each child, and this helps us to understand how to help them.

Children who are new to the workshop often find it difficult to use the materials freely, without simply copying an exisiting image. It's a new experience for them, as in school they're used to learning simple repetition, without the option of expressing their own opinion. However, once they've overcome their timidity they can discover and develop a bautiful way to express themselves.

Working with the children

All styles are welcome and encouraged - abstract and expressionistic as well as naturalistic. There is no such thing as a bad piece of work, and the only conditions imposed are that a painting has to be finished once it is started, and copying from others is not allowed. By hanging the the works on the wall once they're finished, we show attention and respect. The children are proud to see their pictures on the wall, and they want to see what their friends have done too. In this way we are able to provoke a dialogue about the work.

The workshop works with assistants - one or two NATs who distribute materials, look after the work area and help the children. They are a very important element in the workshop: because of their help the teacher is able to take time to sit next to one child and encourage or help them with their painting. The most important thing is to be with the children, giving them time and gaining their confidence, inspiring them and allowing them to remain children, and to paint whatever crazy or serious things they like.

Acheivements

The workshop has completed some large projects, painting the walls of the "Casa de la Juventud" (Centre for Youth) and creating murals for the NGO Plan International de Sucre. A newspaper was started called "Jallp'a Ñanta" ("way of the land" in Quechua) that publishes every two months, and is made by and for the NATs. The paper covers issues important to NATs such as work, family, health and culture, and paintings for the newspaper are produced in the workshop.

We want to offer the NATs the possibility to express themselves, to be children and to improve their self-esteem by creating works of art and receiving positive comments about them.

The painting and drawing workshop is assisted by the French NGO Constellation.