Connecting to the Heart Art Therapy Project.

Overview

The heart is one of the wisest organs. Your heart actually contains neurons, similar to those in your brain, and your heart and brain are closely connected, creating a symbiotic whole. “Listen to your heart” is an old saying that can bring you much happiness. The heart is all about our relationships. Think of all the types of relationships you have in your life: your parents, a partner, you may be a parent, friendships, colleagues or even our processions. Most importantly, the relationship you have with yourself. As an Art teacher the heart presents a wonderful challenge for your students. In this Art project, students share their heart with Art. This exercise is about healing the heart; it also helps by giving you tools to stay balanced and connected.

The Assignment

Draw your human heart and embellish it with imagery related to what is in your heart (what you hold close to you/what is important to you or what you feel in your heart). Students may choose their preferred media possibilities: graphite, ink, colored pencil, collage, watercolor or mixed media.

Objectives

· Expose students to creative thinking processes.

· Give students the opportunity to create using their imaginations and creativity.

· Students are visually able to express an emotion or feeling through drawing and color.

· Define and appropriately use the term “active imagination.”

· Identify ways artists convey personality in nonfigurative drawings.

· Recognize similarities and differences in visual and verbal expression.

· Learn and explore the use of mixed media in art.