Artstarts Art Connection Program arrived to its end. The participants, in addition to a unforgettable artistic experience received an opportunity to express themselves in art, working on projects together. This program was a series of different art workshops that started on November 4th and ended on January 20th. Twenty-three participants from Burnaby enjoyed going every other Saturday to ArtStarts gallery at Vancouver Downtown location for six wonderful sessions.
These families were originally from Syria and Iraq, recent refugees, their eighteen elementary school children had a unique chance to be involved with their parents in various art projects such as drawing, painting, weaving, working with plasticine. All these media taught the participants how to express their actual feelings through an art project. They learned to use their imagination in creating new pieces of painting or portraits. The parents and students had a chance to have quality times together, learnt new skills and explored innovative art traditions.
Burnaby’s SWIS Program contributed to the success together with other organizers. The families were invited and organized to come for every session accompanied by their school-based settlement worker. SWIS whole-heartedly supported this initiative to connect refugee families with this uniquely designed art program that empowered the newcomer families through their new creative experiences.
The next cycle of the ArtStarts Program is scheduled to start in spring.