Introduction

We have been holding painting classes at Ayande Roshan Nokhbegan Foundation for over one year now. The results have been remarkable and thought-provoking, and that is the reason why we decided to share this experience with everyone else.

Start date of the program: 3/1/2009
Number of students at the start of the program: 14
Number of students today: 30

Methodology used

Highly interactive individual and group instructions. Practical sessions where students were assigned specific tasks, such as preparation, actual painiting, finishing work, discussions around a particular work, etc.

Techniques and strategies used

Teaching practical techniques of painting. Instruction techniques included: black & white, black pen (ball point or similar), crayon, pastel chalk, water color, acrylic, oil on canvas

Implementation methodologies

Students took time off their regular schedules to attend these classes. A local master portrait artist was invited to speak to the students about arts in general and portrait and landscape painting in particular. The artist brought samples of his own work and some of his colleagues into the class to share with students.

What is innovative about this approach/tool/project?

Students were encouraged to use painting as a medium to express their emotions and their inner feelings. None of the students who attended these classes had ever been exposed to arts in this way. It was so wonderful to see everyone being engaged so deeply.

The Impact of Painting Classes on Students:
¿Familiarization with different techniques of the art of painting and portraits.
¿Creation of a friendly student-Master relationship and mutual understanding in order to enhance the overall productivity and performance of the classes.
¿Generation of a deep sense of jubilation and peace that provide the students with the strength they need to confront life¿s difficulties.
¿Affecting the students¿ thoughts and activities outside of the classroom such that they will continually demonstrate a positive and hopeful attitude and demeanor.
¿Providing an orderly, sincere, joyful, and exciting learning environment.
¿Flourishing hidden talents among the students in the field of painting and portrait art.
¿Helping students to learn to better, and more precisely, think and concentrate about their surroundings.
¿Learning to establish and cultivate more successful and stimulating relationship with others.
¿Recognition of personal strengths and abilities, and increasing self-esteem and confidence.

Evidence of results and impact

The Opinion of Master Nikou-Ghalam About the Classes:

¿¿During the time I have been interacting with the students, I have learned more from them than I have been able to teach or influence them. These students have taught me love and affection in life and I have been increasingly inspired and energized by what I have learned. I feel a sense of tranquility and satisfaction in their company.¿

¿¿Painting allows us to fill the vacuum of our loneliness, and provides us with a tranquil sanctuary in the moments of nostalgia.¿

¿¿In these classes, learning the virtues of tolerance and patience is of utmost importance. We learned that everything is within our reach and achievable if we have a strong desire, an unwavering determination, and a willingness to work hard for our goals.¿

Costs associated with project development and/or implementation

About $2 million Rials (the local currency). That's equivalent to about $2000 USD.

Additional Information

Here is sample of student feedback we have received so far:
¿¿A bright future ¿ meaning a bright vision ¿ and I found this bright vision in our painting classes and in the company of my classmates and our Master. Now, I am certain of a bright future and I am already beginning to see the light.¿
¿¿Working with colors is the most beautiful thing to do and I enjoy working with colors immensely. The world of colors is incomparable, and when I enter this world I have no desire to leave. When we mix colors of cold and warmth, sadness and joy, and black and white, to create something, I get a sense of exhilaration. ¿
¿¿If, before taking these classes, someone asked me what my favorite colors were, I would say: black and red. The pictures or images I used to choose for the background in my mobile phone or computer always smelled of death. If you ask me the same question now, I would reply: all these colors are beautiful but, before this experience, I didn¿t realize or see the beauty in them.¿
¿¿These classes, these picture frames, they all express our emotions. From the heart of scattered and seemingly meaningless colors, creating a meaningful image and giving life to it. These classes taught us how to be patient and how to bring to action what we dream in our minds.¿
¿¿Since I have joined these classes, I find that I better understand the details around me and I am better able to establish relationship with others.¿
¿¿I am actually an arts student in college but the techniques I learned in these classes I had not seen in college.¿
¿¿In these classes, every student tried to help his/her classmates to help each other. A spirit of collaboration existed that enabled the flourishing of the students¿ collective talents. They provided encouragement for one another when needed, and promoted a ¿can do¿ and ¿yes, you can do better¿ attitude.¿
¿¿I was a person who hated to take responsibility and assigned work. But now, I¿m not willing to replace my painting classes with anything else.¿
¿¿The impact of these classes on me was that after living for such a long time in a state of fear of loneliness and seclusion I began to see myself elevated form that state. That is perhaps because I felt the world of color and beauty in my soul and learned how to utilize the essence of my soul and mind in creating colorful images.¿
¿I think I have found that my moral and social behavior has improved and, unlike the past, I am no longer a shy or a timid person.