"Discover You Through Art" is a transformative project that encourages self-exploration and creative expression. It unites 42 participants from six countries: Italy, Greece, Spain, Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania, aged 18 to 25, in a cross-cultural journey of self-discovery through art.
This project utilizes various forms of art to explore emotions, and inner worlds, and promote balance and unity. It calls for unlocking hidden potential and encourages personal growth through artistic expression. Participants have access to resources, exercises, and insights from artists who have used their craft for introspection. The project aims to celebrate individuality, enhance self-awareness, and reveal the transformative power of art.
The main goal of this project was to foster personal growth and enhance participants' soft skills through collaborative artistic activities. By engaging in these activities, the young participants could explore and expand their self-awareness, push their boundaries, develop social skills, and identify their preferences and strengths. This project promoted intercultural understanding, empathy, and teamwork, ultimately contributing to the personal and professional development of its participants.
๐Our project together! ๐
On our first day, our focus was on building connections and gaining a deeper understanding of one another's personalities. We engaged in a variety of activities and games designed to promote openness within the group and encourage the sharing of our life priorities as well as our perspectives on this project. We took the time to discuss our hopes, expectations, and fears, creating a space for transparent communication and setting the stage for our collective journey.
To help us express ourselves through art, we participated in multiple tasks and games during the project. One of the games was based on creating our self-portrait and merging it with the animal that we feel most connected to.
๐Team Building? Team Painting!๐ค๐๏ธ๐ซ
Another painting task focused on learning how to work in international groups and compromise with each other on certain concepts. Each group was given one theme to paint on a huge canvas. The teams were as follows: Happiness, Self-Love, Personal Success, Spirituality, Creativity, and Motivation. As each group poured their emotions and perspectives into their paintings, they not only explored these themes but also shared their interpretations with others, fostering dialogue and connection. This painting activity invited participants to unlock their creativity and explore the depths of these abstract concepts.
๐ฑ๐ผ๏ธ Art Gallery ๐
๐จ Watercolours - "The River of Life" ๐๏ธ๐ฑ
Painting our river of life was an emotional experience that helped capture our journey on canvas. Just as a river flows, twists, and turns through valleys and over obstacles, our lives meander through experiences, challenges, and joys. With each layer of colour and texture, we revealed the ever-changing landscape of our personal journey, creating a vivid portrayal of the flow of our lives.
๐ชฌCreative Mandala by Anna Rose Heath
Another creative experience was a group Mandala drawing facilitated by Anna Rose Heath, a British artist living for a few years in Girifalco. The process began with a blank canvas at the centre, and each of us took turns adding our unique elements, shapes, colors, and patterns to the mandala. The project unfolded organically as individuals expressed themselves artistically, often without strict guidelines, allowing their creativity to flow freely. This project not only resulted in a stunning work of art but also created a sense of connection, cooperation, and shared creativity among us. The finished Mandala serves as a reminder of the collective effort, a visual masterpiece born from the contributions of many hands and hearts.
