about the project
A Dose of Painting is a series of art projects
combining cooperation between three parties:
● THE HOSPITAL
● ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
● PROJECT SPONSOR
An essential role is played by the volunteer,
who collaborate in every stage of the project
under the supervision of Marcin Kowalik, Ph.D.
The project consists of three interrelated stages:
STAGE I – VISUAL WORKSHOPS IN THE HOSPITAL
Children staying at the hospital create spatial, three dimensional ‘mock-ups’ in plasticine on a specified topic. Previous editions of the project included topics such as: “Garden”, “Outerspace”and “OutsideMy Window”. During the workshops, children learn how to construct their individual artwork, representing the given subject.. We are particularly happy to help the children explore their creative side, while taking their minds off their hospital stay.
STAGE II – COLLABORATIVE PAINTING
The volunteers, under the guidance of Marcin Kowalik, Ph.D., collaboratively paint on a large-scale canvas , which is based on the 3D designs of the children created in Stage I. The first step is transferring the 3D designs onto the surface of the canvas. The unique twist here is that the collaborative painting is a ‘work within a work’ – the children’s original plasticine works are re-interpreted by the volunteers on the canvas to create a large-scale painting.
STAGE III – UNVEILING OF THE PAINTING
After the work is completed, a vernissage (opening exhibition) is held. At this official unveiling the painting is donated to the children's hospital, where its story has originated and where it therefore belongs.
We believe this is an exceptional project, as each and every participant can experience the wonderful qualities of ART FOR CHILDREN. Our main aim is to bring joy. Our past experiences show that thanks to our project, the children's discomfort, hospital anxieties, and a strong longing to come back home all seem to disappearduring our workshops.
Thanks to the ‘work within a work’ formula, everybody can participate and contributeto the finished painting. The process of communal creation is a magical aspect of the project. The nexus between the little patients and the adult volunteer artists creates a strong emotional bond, in which sadness is replaced with empathy, over-protectiveness with partnership, and charity workwith creative cooperation. In turn, the volunteers receive a unique gift from the children – the knowledge that their participation brings the childrens' creative visions to life and provides them with an escape from the hospital concerns.
Our promotional activities help us reach out to a sizeable audience.
We demonstrate how our communal activity, financed by modest costs, have a positive impact on the quality of life of hospital’s little patients,
as well as on ourselves.
