The 2013 workshop worked with 21 students of the Goodwill Industries with varying special cognitive needs. It was the first of the three major components to the 2013 programme, which also included a public parade and exhibition. Each year the medium and approach changes but the central concept and theme remain the same. Summer Heroes aims to provide children with empowering tools through education, art, and therapeutic processes, that enable them to become more self assured with a sense of social purpose.
A FULL PHOTO GALLERY CAN BE VIEWED HERE
An original curriculum was crafted that pursued the main objectives of the project – creativity, therapy through art, self-esteem, leadership, social awareness and responsibility, and personal development.
This year centred on conservation and environmentalists such as Papa Bois Conservation and Plastikeep taught our heroes about recycling and the importance of our natural environment.
Heroes focused on the construction of their individual superhero costumes with an ‘old mas’ carnival approach. They were confined to using found and reusable materials such as plastic bottles, toilet paper rolls, and cardboard boxes to name a few. They learned basic illustration, tie-dye, paper making techniques, and clay work.
The workshop incorporated character development and educational sessions in the mornings with creative activities in the afternoon.
Artists, art therapists, and creative professionals were nominated based on their specific area of expertise. They hosted activities that utilised their usual method of working with the superhero theme and with our main objectives at the fore. We must give special mention to artists and professionals that either volunteered their services or offered us special rates.
The workshop was videotaped in the hopes of eventually producing a free resource online. The heroes paraded their superhero costumes at the OPEN DAY/PARADE and were archived in the 21 HEROES photographic exhibition.
These projects are only made possible with assistance from our participants through their participation, facilitators who volunteer or give lower rates, volunteers who help on actual events days, supporters, and the in-kind and financial sponsors who take a leap of faith with us. Much credit is due to our sponsors below who either helped pay facilitation or donated materials, food and vouchers.