Drawn in

When I was in school, we had what we then called "drawing class" once a week. We were told to draw and then colour inside the lines. We were judged by what the teacher thought was the cleanest, prettiest drawing. Most drawing teachers were kind, too. But despite this, art was intimidating and any aspiration I may have had towards pursuing art of any kind was quashed when, unconsciously, only the form-perfect were lauded in school.

A year ago, while reviewing an art place, I found my kids facing a piece of canvas in terror. And I realised that much of schooling hasn't changed for some of us. So, it seemed that I had found just what I was looking for when I heard of Art Sunday, part of an initiative called EducateForArt. With increased international exposure, a global art network and fascination with all things aesthetic, galleries decided it was time to get more people interested in what "art" is and how to make sense of it. The idea is to create an art education module that not only covers knowledge-based topics like art appreciation and history, but also more technical aspects like the different art movements and styles.

One Sunday, every fortnightly, an art gallery will host a parent-child combination where each set of participants will be exposed to one form of art in great detail and then proceed to paint. For someone who has been searching for workshops for the kids and oneself, where I can review and understand the work of masters or examine a range of art forms and learn a new one each time, this was exactly what the doctor ordered. Because Tao Art Gallery has already had an initiative where they put together events every month and host workshops and panel discussions that expose adults and children to techniques and other subjects that revolve around art, Art Sunday, an initiative by seven art spaces in central Mumbai that came together to do the same, was in sync.

The concept is to put together an art-themed event that aligns with the current show taking place at that art gallery. It was pouring when we headed to the gallery that Sunday evening (there were two slots for the workshop), but we couldn't afford to miss something so immense, even if the weather gods want to test you. Because the work on display was on the theme of minimalism, the kids and I got to dig our teeth into the subject presented by the art expert. We then got to walk around the art gallery and look closely at the paintings and installations, discuss them and learn about each artist whose work was displayed. It is amazing how the pieces fall together when you understand what you are looking at.

We then went back to our seats, and held the canvas given to us. All the artists had worked with primary colours and that was what we, too, were given to work with, along with an array of brushes, a mug of water and a palette. Starting on a blank canvas, sitting amid stunning six-feet canvases can be terrifying. It was to me, at least. One of the participants was a kindergartener and it was a joy watching her go forth with her painting fearlessly. Had it not been for her gusto, I would have probably sat there quivering.
While it rained outside, there was a splash of colours inside.

#Educateforart is holding ‘Catharsis of an Artist' by Kisalay Vora
on August 5
at Sarjan Plaza, Worli
time 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm
To register, contact 24918585

Fact file
Where: Tao Art Gallery, The View, 165, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli.
Best for: Boys and girls aged four and above.
How to reach: By taxi
Timings: 11 am to 7 pm, all days.
Budget: '1,800 for a family.
Food: No food allowed inside.
Water: Available
Rest Room facilities: Yes
Where else to go: Head to the Nehru Planetarium or, if you wish to head to SoBo, there is the Chowpatty beach and the Taraporewala Aquarium.

Parent Poll: Enjoyed marvelling at art after the expert gave us the lowdown about it. Felt happy painting.
Rating: '''
Kids' Poll: It's okay.
Rating: '''

What's Good: It is a great initiative and more schools must be informed about it.
What's Not So Good: The content of the workshop was not tailored for children.

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