Art of Elysium encourages working actors, artists, and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are cooped up in hospitals for long periods battling serious medical conditions. They provide artistic workshops in the following disciplines: acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting, and creative writing.
Art of Elysium looks to the volunteer to use their talents to brighten the day of these hospital-bound children. So, after brainstorming, I came up with a project that could reuse kids’ juice boxes. With a little paper mâché, paint, and decorating accessories, these juice boxes could be transformed into unique creatures spawned from the kids’ imaginations. I then corresponded with an emissary from Art of Elysium who helped me refine my lesson, what supplies they had available, and what I needed to provide myself.
As I arrived for my first workshop I was extremely nervous. Would the kids even be interested in making monsters and creatures out of a box? How good would I be at teaching them? What if they revolted and attacked me with glitter and paint!?
I was ushered to a table that came up to my thighs. I immediately started to unpack my supplies. When I pulled out the finished monsters that my friends and I had created the night before, the previously indifferent kids began to take interest. “That’s Batman!”, one kid roared! “Wow! Cool robot!” another one shouted. The project was an instant hit.
My emissary was nothing short of amazing, she brought more supplies than I could have asked for as well as helping me with the onslaught of kids wanting to create their own creatures. Near the end, some of the kids offered up their completed creations to be showcased in Art of Elysium’s annual art show, Little Pieces of Heaven, in Hollywood.
Website: theartofelysium.org
Orientation: Yes. Mandatory.
Commitment: 2hr Orientation. 2hr. workshops teaching kids.
Cost: $0
This entry is part of 2011’s Project 365 – Volunteering 12 places in 12 months.