What will happen if you leave kids in a room with blank canvases and art supplies? The little ones will put their heart and soul into creating mind-blowing masterpieces. Children possess the capability to express themselves fearlessly and honestly, leaving adults in awe of their unique feat. That’s why the renowned Spanish painter Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
Over the years, researchers, educators, and therapists have recognised the umpteen benefits of art for children, extending far beyond just being a fun activity. In addition to fostering fine motor skills development, problem-solving skills, visual-spatial processing, critical thinking, creativity, memory, and academic performance, art significantly impacts mental health.
As a result, art education has remained on the school syllabus for a long time and will continue to do so in the future. Back in 2013, The Somaiya School (TSS) undertook the mission to create a one-of-a-kind art studio, and since then, they have come a long way! Today, let’s explore the TSS Art Studio and its mental health benefits for the students.
Introducing The Somaiya School Art Studio
The Somaiya School Art Studio was established to provide a dedicated space for all things art. Students not only gain in-depth art knowledge and skills but also nurture their creative expression and artistic exploration. The various solo and group activities contribute to personal growth and community engagement.
Pankaj Patil, Art HOD and Secondary Section Art Teacher of The Somaiya School, says, “TSS Art Studio is a valuable resource for the entire school community, where students and teachers can come and spill their creativity. In its safe and supportive environment, everyone can experiment, learn, and grow as artists.”
TSS Art Studio is designed to be comfortable, inviting, and inspiring for the students to work on their art projects. It has spacious individual work tables and open group work areas. The large windows ensure ample natural light and a pleasant atmosphere. There are also walls, bulletin boards, and display cases to showcase students’ work.
The art room is well-equipped with a wide range of art supplies. Nilima Amkar, the Pre-Primary Section Art Teacher, shares, “In the art room, you’ll find easel walls, paints, crayons, and clay, as well as various textured papers and natural materials for collage-making.”
Exploring the activities conducted by TSS Art Studio
TSS Art Studio aims to provide diverse traditional, contemporary, and 21st-century art education.
- Artists around the world: The art teachers discuss works of various artists such as S. H. Raza, M. F. Hussain, Jamini Roy, Manjeet Bawa, Amrita Sher-Gil, Homai Vyarawalla, and Nasreen Mohamedi, promoting a sense of art appreciation among students. Kieshaa Shethia, a ninth-grade student, says, “The art studio helps me express my gratitude towards all the great artists.”
- Indian and world art forms: TSS Art Studio also focuses on enhancing cultural awareness by providing exposure to various Indian and world art forms, including Alpona, Madhubani, Warli, Gond, Tanjore, Pattachitra, Phad painting, Kalamkari, Ajrakh, Saura, Lippan art, Mandala, origami, Siporex carving, and Aboriginal art.
- Art techniques: Students learn and explore different art techniques such as wood carving, enamel art, resin art, collage work, printmaking, metal art, foil embossing, miniature, pottery, sculpture, spray painting, and stone painting.
- 21st-century visual art styles: The curriculum covers trending and relevant skills, such as stop-motion animation, digital painting, 3D modelling, 3D printing, laser engraving, digital photography, and more.
- Guest lectures and workshops: TSS Art Studio hosts artists from the IMMERSE programme, exposing students to cyanotype, pinhole photography, photomontage, and abstract art. Furthermore, artisans from Somaiya Kala Vidya have conducted workshops on textile traditions such as Ajrak and Bandhani.
- TSS art festival: The Somaiya School conducts an art festival on the school campus, allowing students to publicly display and sell their artistic creations to raise money for NGOs. From nursery to grade 10, students from every batch participate and set up creative stalls such as fruit carving, origami, Warli painting, socks puppet, pottery, and tie and dye, to name a few. Students, parents, and teachers from various schools visit the event, take home the beautiful works of art, and do their bit for the noble cause.
- Art Integrated Learning: Art-integrated learning is a pedagogical approach that uses art to teach academic subjects, helping students better understand and remember the concepts. Anup Dhuria, a Primary Section Art Teacher, rightly notes, “I believe integrating art with other subjects is one of the best ways to bring experiential learning to the classrooms.”
Discovering the mental health benefits of TSS Art Studio for students
Engaging in art during early childhood and teenage years can significantly enhance well-being, with benefits that often extend well into adulthood. Here are five ways TSS Art Studio helps the students:
- Stress management: In today’s times, children face immense stress from busy schedules and pressure to excel in academics and extracurriculars. Moreover, excessive screen time and media usage further worsen the situation. TSS Art Studio provides much-needed downtime to children and teens where they can be carefree and immerse themselves in hands-on, creative activities. Making art allows students to be in the present moment and relax, helping them forget worries at the back of their minds for that period. Even science has found enough evidence that engaging in art reduces the primary stress hormone cortisol.
- Expression and awareness: Many children and teens deal with complex thoughts, emotions, and feelings but do not know how to process and communicate them with their peers or elders. Due to this, they may face behavioural issues and develop negative habits. One of the ways to prevent this situation is by giving students ample time and a safe space to express themselves through art. Krisha Vakharia, a ninth-grade TSS student, says, “Art brings me peace and helps me express my emotions.” It proves that making art can have therapeutic effects on the body and mind. The meditative process of art acts as a positive coping mechanism, helping students become more self-aware and gain greater control over their lives.
- Improved social skills: Today’s generation constantly struggles to balance online and offline life. While social media has benefits, it has primarily negatively affected children and teens. They struggle to form genuine, long-term relationships and face feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and sadness. That’s why in-person activities hold great importance. TSS Art Studio provides opportunities for students to collaborate with others, develop social skills, and build meaningful friendships. Khiara. N. Patel backs this and tells us, “The Art Studio is my favourite place in school because we get a chance to make new friends during the many group activities.”
- Increased happiness: Have you heard about the four feel-good hormones our brain releases during certain activities? Research shows a strong connection between making art and increased levels of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins in the body. That’s why students feel incredibly accomplished, happy, motivated, and relaxed after a group art session at TSS, which ultimately boosts their overall well-being.
- Boosted self-esteem and confidence: The art teachers at TSS believe in the motto, “Art for All”, helping every child carve a unique path on their art journey. They appreciate and celebrate everyone’s artwork and teach the children to do the same. Saanvi Rao, a ninth-grade student, shares, “I love seeing the unique perspectives our classmates have on different artworks.” When students make art without the looming pressure of being perfect, earning good grades, or peer comparison, they genuinely enjoy the process! Completing an artwork and receiving positive feedback gives them a sense of achievement and satisfaction, boosting their self-esteem, confidence, and motivation.
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