May 17 - mini exhibition: We invite the neighborhood
Theme: Collaborative Design + Communication + Community Celebration Creative Focus: Collaboration • Creativity • Communication • Community
Duration: 1 hour 15 min
Age Group: 5–16 years (group work - older and younger kids per Team) Volunteers:
Time: 12-2.30pm
Building Hope Children’s Center, Nagaswatte.
1. Introduction (5 min)
“This mural is not finished when the paint dries, or the last knot is tied — it continues when we share it with others.”
The invitation cards become the bridge between artwork and audience, extending3. Visualization & Group Planning (15 min)
Divide children into 3 design teams, each responsible for ONE invitation card:
Group A → “Color & Energy” concept
Group B → “Story & Symbol” concept
Group C → “Minimal & Elegant” concept
Each group should include mixed ages/skills:
1 “idea leaders.”
1 “visual contributors.”
1 “listener/organizer” (rotating role during discussion)
Step 1: Reconnect with the Mural
Show painted mural.
Prompt questions:
What story does the mural tell?
What would you want others to feel when they see it?
If the mural could speak, what would it say?
Step 2: Introduce the Task
Explain clearly:
“We are now inviting others into our artwork. Each group will design ONE invitation card to invite:
other children from the neighborhood
parents and families
community members
Each design must:
represent the mural
include key event info
be clear and attractive
be ready to scan and share digitally”
Step 3: Group Negotiation Phase
Each group must discuss and agree on:
What is the main visual message?
Which colors represent the mural best?
Should it feel fun, serious, mysterious, or celebratory?
What symbol or shape defines our invitation?
Rule:
“No one draws before the group agrees on a shared direction.”
Teacher role:
facilitate conflict resolution
ensure quieter children contribute
encourage compromise language:
“I like your idea, but maybe we can combine it with…”
“What if we merge both?”
4. Making & Problem-Solving (40 min)
Step 1: Sketch Development
Each group creates:
2–3 rough layout sketches first
then agreeing on ONE final direction
Must include:
Title (e.g. “You Are Invited!” / “Come See Our Mural!”)
Visual reference to mural
Space for event info (date/time/place placeholder)
Step 2: Sketch Development
Each group creates:
2–3 rough layout sketches first
then agrees on ONE final direction
Must include:
Title (e.g. “You Are Invited!” / “Come See Our Mural!”)
Visual reference to mural
Space for event info (date/time/place placeholder)
Optional QR-code space (future digital step)
Step 3: Final Card Creation
Medium options:
mixed media collage
markers + colored pencils
paint + paper cutouts
typography experiments
Each group finalizes ONE invitation card design.
5. Community Building (5 min)
Group Presentation
Each group presents:
their concept name
how they made decisions together
what disagreements happened and how they solved them
how their design connects to the mural
6. Conclusion & Reflection (5 min)
Reflection Circle
Ask:
What was harder: drawing or agreeing?
What did you learn about working in a group?
How is this similar to real design work?
Photograph all 3 final cards
Scan or digitally capture them
Later use by Ranitri/Pramila/Suren:
WhatsApp invite
printed flyers
social media post ownership from creators → community.