Art Workshops for Ukrainian Refugees

I lead the art workshop, a special collaborative grid of 25 squares. The project was based off the previous collaborative grid projects from our (no name) Art Group charity.  It was a wonderful day and both children and adults welcomed the coloring. A mandala sunflower was the final collaborative artwork.

More about this art project.

The sunflower, Ukraine’s national flower, has becomes a worldwide symbol of solidarity and peace amid the Russian invasion.

A mandala, unlike a blank canvas awaiting paint, presents a more structured approach to coloring through an array of simple, often symmetrical shapes. Just like meditation, coloring also allows us to switch off our brains from other thoughts and focus only on the moment, helping to alleviate free-floating anxiety. It can be particularly effective for people who aren’t comfortable with more creatively expressive forms of art, and finishing a full mandala offers a sense of accomplishment. These are reasons why mandala coloring can be helpful in times of stress.

Coloring often relaxes the brain. When thoughts are focused on a simple activity, our brain tends to relax. We are not disturbed by our own thoughts and appraisals. The difficulties of life can evaporate from our awareness, and both our bodies and our brains may find this rewarding. This can be beneficial because it has a de-stressing effect. The act of coloring requires repetition and attention to detail, so we are able to focus on the activity, rather than our worries. As we relax, our brains lower activity in the amygdala, which is responsible for our fight-or-flight stress response.

NNAG Collaborative Grid Projects acknowledge each person individually. Each square is seen as unique and expressive. When combined, the squares are recognized together as a whole. We can take a step back and see how we are all connected. Collaborative grids are a reminder that we are not alone, and when we work together we create a rich tapestry of diversity and strength. View more of NNAG Collaborative Grid Projects:

• 2021 Zaedno Mozhem Poveche (Together We Can Do More)
• 2020 Circle of Love
• 2020 We’re All In This Together