A Work of Art

Wonderful creations

by Revd Guy Donegan-Cross (revised, originally published in 2006)

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To celebrate creativity and the idea that we are all God’s creations.

Preparation and materials

• You will need an adult volunteer who is willing to be drawn by the children.
• You will also need some art materials such as paints, pens, paper and play dough.
• You will also need a blindfold. One of the children will be wearing a blindfold to create their drawing, so make sure that you choose a child volunteer who will be happy to do this.
• Optional: you may wish to have available a flip chart and a whiteboard pen so that you can create your own portrait of the adult volunteer.

Assembly

1. Ask for an adult volunteer and three children who enjoy drawing or modelling. Place the chosen volunteer in a chair to pose. Tell the children that they will be given two minutes to make a representation of the volunteer.
   
   
2. Give the play dough to one child and paper and pens to the other two. Blindfold one of the latter.
   
   Give the children two minutes to make their creations. During this time, play some background music or chat to the other children about how they think the artists will manage.
   
   Optional: for added amusement, if you know the adult volunteer well enough, you could do your own humorous portrait, perhaps a large one on a flip chart to give everyone something to look at as the artists work.
   
   
3. After two minutes, call a halt. Comment on how wonderful the works of art are. Give the children and the volunteer a round of applause.
   
   
4. Explain that all three children were making a representation of the same thing. However, all three pieces of art look very different. The Bible tells how God made human beings like a work of art. He made people and was pleased with what he made.
   
   
5. Christians believe that, unlike the blindfolded child, God sees us clearly. He knows and understands us. A verse in the Bible says, ‘We are God’s workmanship.’ (Ephesians 2.10)

Time for reflection

Explain to the children that you are going to ask them a list of questions. Tell them that, after each question, you are going to pause for a few seconds to allow time for them to think.

- Do you like to draw and paint?
- Do you like to make models, perhaps with clay or play dough?
- Do you like to make models out of boxes, or bricks such as Lego?
- Do you like to make up ideas in your head?
- Do you like to write stories, poems or letters?
- Do you like photography?
- Do you love to dance?
- Do you like to make up new games?
- What creative things do you like doing?
- How could you be creative today?

Remind the children that we all have different talents and abilities, and that creativity can take many forms.

Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that you are creative.
Thank you that you are the Creator.
Thank you that the world is full of such variety.
Please help us to use our creative talents to make the world a better place for others.
Please help us to use our gifts today.
Amen.

Song/music

‘Tidal wave’ by Doug Horley, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWfYpF40i8U (4.25 minutes long)