Circle of Friends Art Lesson:

“The Pile-Up” (Collage)

A focus on connectedness, group dynamics and abstract thinking.

Date: 7/21/2009

Planner: Laura Murphy

Objectives:

1. Learn that individual work can be enhanced by being connected to the works of others.
2. Negotiate limited color choices.
3. Paint according to interpretation of music.

Materials:

1. Matte board frames
2. Acrylic paints
1. Dark green
2. White
3. Deep red
4. Blue
3. Soothing music
4. Styrofoam/foam core spacers, 1” x 1” to put between layers of frames so that each frame sits on top of the one below it.
5. Hot glue gun and glue sticks
6. Palettes
7. Paint brushes
8. Water buckets
9. Newspaper (for covering work surface)
10. Paper towels
11. Hair dryer (for expediting drying process)

Length of Time: approximately 40-60 minutes

Procedure

Steps:

1. Tell participants that they will be working with color and music, but instead of working on paper, they will be painting on a matte frame piece that will later be put into a group image.
2. Distribute frames.
3. Ask participants to listen to selected music and to paint how the music feels to them with the colors provided – yes, colors can be mixed. (20 minutes)
4. When all pieces are done, look at each piece individually.
1. Can we tell if members of the group had the same response to the music based on the color and the movement of their frames?
5. Use blow dryer to dry pieces.
6. Beginning with the smallest piece, begin to lay the frames on top of each other. Place spacers in between the layers using the Styrofoam blocks to elevate and create a 3D separation:

7. Glue boards and spacers in place with glue gun.
8. Ask members to evaluate the finished product:
1. Do the individual pieces blend together and share common traits and feelings?
2. Can the group, as a whole, decide on a title for the piece?

Source:

Art Activities for Groups: Providing Therapy, Fun, and Function. Ravensdale: Idyll Arbor Inc., 2002.