by Aufbruch Neukoelln e.V. , Kulturraum Mainzer7
What is your main field of activity ?
The main field of action is to learn to understand painting itself and its healing component. It teaches the gaze, it teaches aesthetic understanding, it teaches composition, precision, colour coordination.
How and where the practice has been organised?
The practice is organised in neighbourhood houses, in schools, in social organisations, in refugee camps - it is very versatile and can be adapted to any circumstance.
What preparations are needed? What materials are needed?
A room with space, chairs, tables needs to be organised, as well as painting materials such as colours in various shades, brushes, pencils, pens and papers, rubbers, sharpener, if the class has a special focus on specific art supplies like aquarelle colours, or oil colours, then these must be organised together with their respective papers.
How long the practices can take?
The workshops can take anything between 1 hour to 5 hours, but from experience 3 hours is ideal.
How many participants can be involved ideally?
If you have only one instructor then no more than 10 people should be involved, whereby it depends how independent the participants can work. If most of the 10 participants are independently working, the number of people for one instructor is fine. If most of the participants are new to painting, 10 is too much, as it needs to be assured that the artist/instructor takes the time for every participant to help.
What is the main short term and long term impact of the practice on the participants? (are these clearly identified?)
All of the effects are leading towards a long term impact. The participants find a new hobby, they engage in creative thinking and creative craft, they learn new ways of engaging with other people and widen their horizon in the topic of arts. Their paintings create a feeling of proudness within themselves, they feel more self-conscious and eager to achieve better results in their hobby. Painting becomes a routine for them, that gives them passion and a place to be, to spend their time, to forget about their worries and dive into a world full of colour and creativity - this contrasts their dull and depressing life as most participants deal with mental issues and experience pain and illness.
What are the main tangible results?
A more happy, healthy, self-confident person who has learned a new craft and gained a new passion
How are these results promoted/disseminated?
There is an annual group exhibition as well as annual single exhibitions of the participants. these are promoted via e-mail lists, Facebook and Instagram accounts as well as mouth to mouth propaganda.