The D&G Foundation has joined forces with the Art of Motivation programme to launch the immersive ‘Draw It Out’ initiative in schools to inspire youth empowerment and community development through art.

The launch event, hosted at Seaview Gardens Primary School on July 14, included an interactive painting session for parents and children before extending a donation of Shawn Ashman’s therapeutic art journals to participants.

Ashman designed the Draw It Out programme to promote healing and self-expression among children and parents. She has published therapeutic art journals, including a specially designed edition for children to engage in colouring, journaling, and doodling as a healthy outlet for self-expression.

Additionally, a journal dedicated to parents offers a valuable resource for engaging in activities individually or with their children to foster a nurturing and safe environment to address any challenges within their relationship.

“We commend Shawn Ashman and the Art of Motivation as we embark on this partnership. Their commitment, endless passion, and belief in the power of art therapy inspire our coming-together partnership and will serve to impact the programme’s growth. After all, we are driven by the promise that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, deserves to experience life fully. Through “Draw It Out”, we hope to translate this promise into a reality that benefits many students,” affirmed D&G Foundation administrator Totlyn Brown-Robb.

The principal of Seaview Gardens Primary, Sangieanna Reid-Prince, expressed her admiration for the productive painting session as she observed parents deeply involved in guiding their children as they both created bright art pieces.

“Our children were excited to paint and chat comfortably with their parents. Many of our children speak well but struggle to express their emotions, so I believe they have found a healthy and thoughtful way to do that. I was also impressed to  witness the parents’ involvement because we rarely see parents and students collaborating in a relaxed space like this, especially within our community.”

She continued, “A dad kissed his son as they admired their artwork at the end of the session, which is very rare in our inner-city community. I see the impact of this programme and its ability to nurture our students into becoming outstanding citizens, and that is why we are now considering hosting more ‘Draw It Out’ sessions each month.”

The day commenced with a welcomes from principal Prince, the D&G Foundation team, and Art of Motivation director Shawn Ashman, following a poetry recital by Seaview Gardens Primary’s Nalaya Morgan.

The painting session then commenced with over 50 students, parents and teachers commanding an easel while being expertly guided by Ashman.

“Recognizing the challenges children face in expressing themselves amidst various circumstances at home, I felt compelled to create a transformative tool that enables them to process their emotions healthily. Children can unleash their creativity through these specially designed journals and effectively communicate their thoughts and feelings through art. At the same time, parents can guide them on this journey at home”, said Ms.Ashman.

Mother of sixth-grader Nalaya Morgan, Anna-kay Smith, says she enjoyed participating in the session with her daughter and looks forward to the franchise hosting another session at Seaview Gardens Primary.

“I think it was a really great experience. As Ms. Ashman guided us, it gave us a new insight into how we view art, and I enjoyed the relaxing feeling it brought. When the session ended, we felt as though a burden was lifted. We appreciate the event, for it allowed us to express ourselves, and we left valuing art even more. I can also confirm that Nalaya has been using her journal frequently. She now calls herself the Bob Marley of art and looks forward to participating in another session.”

As part of the efforts to engage 1000 students this year, The Art of Motivation has partnered with the D&G Foundation to host two additional sessions, one with the foundation’s No Male Left Behind programme cohort in St. Thomas and the D&G Foundation-funded Girls Becoming programme in Portland.