In September a group known as Studio Yellow came together. We are 15 three year olds and their families plus two teachers. We each come with unique backgrounds; different cultures and ethnicities, different family sizes and from a myriad of neighboring communities. Some children and families know each other and some are totally new to the area. How can we meld together into this one community, Studio Yellow? We want to acknowledge each child’s individuality but also enable them to become part of our group. We want to hear each child’s voice but also for them to hear and contemplate their peers’ ideas so the collaboration as a group can start.
To begin to draw this group of individuals into one larger group we decided to start with paint. Not all three year olds are attracted to paint and painting but all three year olds love to experiment. Each child was asked to mix a jar of paint. Sometimes the child chose their favorite color, others just liked to mix! Some children chose to mix many jars of paint whilst others mixed just one. While mixing their paint they created their own color swatch. These swatches formed a collaborative color wheel.
Once all the colors were mixed we presented a large square canvas to the children. The children then each had the opportunity to paint whatever they wished within this square. As the different colors and painting styles mixed one unique collective canvas emerged. Fifteen children coming together as one.
