This Children’s Day, we visit a special Art and Craft Room at Shankarwadi Mumbai Public School in Jogeshwari. Created by Saturday Art Class, a city-based organisation, it’s a dedicated space for children to unabashedly express themselves through art
Janhavi Ghosalkar (in green, seated) and Keerthi Sharma conduct a session. pics/nimesh dave
You may have read this quote by Pablo Picasso: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” The eminent artist understood art’s critical role in the lives of children. We were thrilled that the students of Shankarwadi Mumbai Public School, in Jogeshwari had adopted Picasso’s philosophy. Facilitated by Saturday Art Class, a Mumbai-based non-profit organisation, the school inaugurated a special Art and Craft Room on September 27. Educators from the organisation routinely conduct sessions here. Curious to know more, this writer decided to drop by.
Four-walled canvas
What immediately strikes us is how every element is linked with art. Hexagonal tables are surrounded by walls splashed with colour. A portion of each wall is dedicated to an artist and elements representing their respective styles, be it nature elements often found in Amrita Sher-Gil’s paintings, or the bold symbols of street art in the works of Keith Haring. In one corner, we spot a splendid pink and green bird, and in another, motifs of Gond art.
A wall in the studio inspired by Gond art
A few sixth graders are attending their after-school climate and art session. “It’s held every Tuesday, and optional, but we’re amazed to see children signing up even after hours of classes,” remarks Keerthi Sharma, one of the instructors. She shares more about the endeavour, “This room is a space for children to express their feelings freely through art. The installations here were created by the children and various artists who had lent their talent,” she adds, gesturing to the multi-coloured chairs forming the room’s perimeter, and the cupboard housing art supplies, which is adorned with a mural.
Hands-on experience
A wall showcasing past artworks by students
The theme of the day’s session is ‘garbage’. Instructor Janhavi Ghosalkar begins by asking the children to share their perceptions of how climate impacts the weather and their surroundings. “We regularly see and smell garbage, but think about how it would seem if we could hear, feel, or taste it,” Ghosalkar prompts. These exercises are a prelude to their on-site session, when they are taken to the main road to actually experience ‘garbage’.
The door to the room, adjacent to a wall dedicated to Keith Haring
“Sensory perception is an integral part of these sessions. Students see garbage near their homes daily; we’re trying to make them question these ordinary factors, and understand that this is not normal,” Sharma shares. Amidst the honking of traffic, and skipping along on uneven paths, the children squint in the mid-day sun, and scrunch up their noses at the sight of garbage heaps and the debris of nearby construction sites. “Write down everything you can sense,” Ghosalkar instructs them, and they scribble down notes.
Art is everywhere
The instructors and children during the on-site session
Back in class, spirits are high, yet they seem annoyed. “[Seeing garbage] has spoiled my mood,” declares one boy, while one of the girls says, “It made me feel sad.” The children begin work on their drawings — one half must represent the grim reality of what they’ve just seen; the other is open to imagination of what could be in its place. They use not just oil pastels and crayons, but also cardboard and dry waste such as wrappers to represent garbage. When asked about what they are envisioning, one pipes up, “Open grass for people to sit and relax.”
Chhavi Khandelwal (left) Manasi Mehan
A child shares, “A clean road with no trash.” A boy shares that he likes drawing buildings and houses, whilst the girl beside him concentrates on cutting newspaper strips. “I prefer this to crayons and paints. I often make crafts like these at home,” she says. When asked what art means to her and why she thinks artists create, she frowns first, then gives a profound response: “To make others happy.” The session wraps up where each presents their creation — from an empty dustbin surrounded by litter, to an area in beautiful shades.
Future plans
Sharma reveals, “Teachers report that there’s been an improvement in these children’s behavioural patterns ever since art sessions began. They are more cooperative and sensitive. We will continue projects at the school, and create new curriculums.” Manasi Mehan and Chhavi Khandelwal, co-founders, Saturday Art Class, sign off, “[We believe] that every child deserves a space to dream and express. We hope this becomes a model that can be replicated across more schools, so that art can provide every child with a safe space to explore and find their voice.”
At Saraswati Baug, Shivaji Nagar, Shankarwadi, Jogeshwari East.
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