Art workshops bring joy to Oslo refugee camp
In times of displacement and uncertainty, art can be a powerful tool for healing and connection. Ukrainian artist Vlad Kladko, now residing in Oslo, Norway, understands this deeply. Besides his work with refugees at the Tåsen camp, he has initiated a remarkable art project that brings beauty and creativity back into the lives of those affected by war.
The Royal Talens Foundation Online Auction serves as a key funding source for our humanitarian art projects. While the recent auction fell short of our fundraising goals, our dedication to supporting transformative art programs for vulnerable communities remains unwavering.
Need to create
All people have a need to create something and feel that they are doing something beautiful. People who have experienced war often lose their chance to create something beautiful, as it's not their first priority. My main task was to bring back this feeling of creating something beautiful and meaningful through the art process itself.
The Still Life project
The Still Life project at Tåsen refugee camp was divided into several rounds. Each group participated in a four-hour workshop. The first part was theoretical, where Vlad Kladko taught about still life history, composition rules, basic drawing techniques, and color studies. The second part was practical. Participants were given watercolors and small paper to test and get a feel for the materials and how they work on paper. We learned about layering as one of watercolor's main qualities.
Small fun projects
Still life painting is one of the basic painting directions that can be fun for both children and adults. During the workshops, we used watercolor paper, watercolors, gouache, and pencils from Royal Talens. It was fun learning some art rules and creating our own creative vision afterwards.
On some breaks, we had small fun projects with gouache and paper plates where we tried to reconstruct an old Ukrainian painting called 'petrykivka'.
We had a great time!
Still life workshops were a fun experience not only for children but also for their parents. It was an excellent meeting activity for a whole family that brought valuable moments in this difficult time.
Parent, 44 years old: "This was an incredibly nice experience! I dreamed of being able to paint one day, and that dream came true. Thank you so much for this opportunity! This workshop fulfilled another dream. We had a great time!"
Sharing is caring
After the workshops, an exhibition was created together with the children and displayed in the common areas where other residents could enjoy the creative works and art expressions.
Our heartfelt gratitude to Global Hobby
Global Hobby og Kunst, has significantly amplified the impact of Vlad Kladko's art project for Ukrainian refugees by not only facilitating a donation of Royal Talens art supplies but also creating a comprehensive support ecosystem.
Alf Christian Falck, the managing director of Global Hobby, went beyond a simple material donation by coordinating the distribution through the Tegne store in Oslo, offering additional materials, and providing a discount for future activities—effectively transforming a simple donation into a sustainable support initiative.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Global Hobby for their exceptional commitment to this art and healing project, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can create meaningful change for displaced communities.
Supported projects
The Royal Talens Foundation has provided art materials to the Palestine Humanitarian Response Centre (PHRC) for their upcoming Children's Hub in Cairo. This initiative aims to offer creative outlets and trauma relief to Palestinian children who have fled Gaza and currently lack access to formal education.
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At the Royal Talens Foundation, we're delighted to share the impactful work of Villa Zapakara, a nonprofit organization in Suriname dedicated to enriching children's lives through educational and cultural programs. Their current initiative, running from August 2024 through December 2026, demonstrates how creative materials can play a vital role in connecting young people with their cultural heritage.
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The Royal Talens Foundation is proud to support Aisha & Friends in their meaningful work at the Kilifi County Referral Hospital's children's ward in Kenya. In October 2024, art supplies donated by the foundation brought creativity and joy to over 30 young patients and hospital staff.
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In a heartwarming collaboration this October, the Royal Talens Foundation provided art materials to Le Nid d'Artistes ("The Artist's Nest"), enabling 30 young artists to bring their imaginative worlds to life through creative workshops in Switzerland. The initiative specifically reached children from modest backgrounds, including young refugees from countries like Iran and Ukraine, who might otherwise not have access to quality art education.
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