Artasia at Our Lady of Hope
Hamilton Wentworth Catholic Child Care Centres
🖌️ Artist Educator: Ava Aalbers
Experiences at Our Lady of Hope
The first week of Artasia at Our Lady of Hope in Binbrook was a resounding success! On the very first day, I introduced an icebreaker—each child held a ball of yarn, and as they held it, they shared their name and two things they love. This simple activity sparked their imaginations and provided a foundation for designing their own badges. I encouraged them to think about what they cherish most, whether it be their culture, family, favorite animals, sports, or anything else that mattered to them.
To set an example, I created and displayed my own badge, highlighting the things I love. The kids were eager to begin and took great pride in showcasing their passions on their badges. It was heartwarming to witness their excitement as they not only shared their creations with me and their friends but also couldn’t wait to show their families back home.
The variety of creative approaches was truly inspiring. One little girl, with minimal guidance, crafted a stunning 3D butterfly out of fabric and paper, demonstrating remarkable creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Another memorable moment was when a boy and girl, unsure of what to create, asked for my advice. I suggested they depict what they love most in the world. The boy returned with a beautiful mountain scenery with “God” written on it, while the girl created a heart with the word “art,” along with a drawing of the earth, a dress, and flowers. It was a joy to see how each child’s badge reflected what they hold dear, and I was moved by their creativity and the values they chose to express.Â
Experiences at Our Lady of Hope 2
Another standout week at Artasia was when we focused on making flags. I encouraged the kids to design flags that included statements or meaningful symbols about the things they love, where they come from, or even something they wish could be different. This activity coincided with the excitement of the soccer world finals, so many of the kids eagerly created flags to support their favorite teams.
The conversations naturally turned to soccer and quickly expanded into discussions about heritage. The kids were enthusiastic about sharing their backgrounds and talking about the countries their parents or grandparents had immigrated from. One girl, in particular, was especially excited to create a flag representing Portugal, where her parents are from. As soon as I introduced the craft, she approached me to ask if she could focus solely on Portugal and her culture. I was thrilled to encourage her creativity and passion.
It was wonderful to see the kids take pride in their roots and express their love for their cultures through their flag designs. The flags became a vibrant tapestry of their identities and dreams.
Experiences at Our Lady of Hope 3
The Creative Wearable Fashion Week was another fantastic success! The kids dove right into the project, with many boys enthusiastically making capes—one even crafted a matching cape for his stuffed animal. Both girls and boys quickly took an interest in making bracelets out of pipe cleaners and beads, while others got creative with crowns made from fencing and necklaces of their own design.
One group of girls came up with a clever idea: they put buttons onto skewers, filled the skewer with beads, and then secured the beads with another button at the opposite end. They spent a lot of time playing with their creations, counting the beads, and enjoying their new accessories. Another girl designed a handkerchief out of fabric and proudly wore it around her neck, showcasing her unique style to everyone.
Once again, it was inspiring to see the variety of creative approaches each child took in expressing their interests through wearable art. The individuality and imagination on display were truly remarkable!
