Art Camp at Mongrace Montessori House

On 7th October 2015, selected students from The Indian School-Second Shift participated in the Une Fete Annuele, an art workshop, held at the Mongrace Montessori House in Vasant Vihar. The day began with Principal, Ms. Kamini Hola introducing the audience to the significance of this fete, and calling upon the young artists to light the ceremonial lamp. Renowned names like Minakshi Dheeman and Sunil Dutt Mamgain were present, among others, who are much known for their abtract artworks. Art curator Poonam Singh Kohli was also in attendance, along with artists Dinesh Vedwal, Anju Koli and Kusum Dhama.

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It was a colourfully stimulating affair, where the children were divided randomly into several clusters, each group placed under an artist who would then guide them to paint according to their own style of work. Following this delightful system, one group did cartoon characters, another abstracts; one worked with landscapes while another crafted print motifs. Other schools that participated were The Indian School, Presidium School, D.P.S Vasant Vihar, D.A.V Vasant Vihar, Army Public School and G.D Goenka. Among the two age groups (5-7 years and 8-10 years), the TFS children participated in the former. They had a marvellous, constructive time learning new techniques of oil pastel rendering, as they were unceasingly motivated by the interacting artists. Our children were notably commended on their discipline and sincerity of effort. Each of their finished works was personally autographed by their leader artists. The day ended with each child being awarded a prize consisting of a box of plastic colours, a pencil, an eraser and a bar of chocolate, with an intention to inspire the children to draw their feelings and imaginations more often. Mongrace Montessori House truly lived by their motto, Every child is a winner! Because according to Ms. Maria Montessori, each child has the intelligence to express himself creatively, beyond the jurisdiction of right and wrong. Like a famous artist once said, Any idea is a good idea, if it comes from the soul...and who is better connected to their souls but these little children? Upasana Bhattacharya.