Colourful Connection Days: Bridging Newcomers and Apeldoorners Through Art!
Apeldoorn, the Netherlands | Kids and teens from the AZC in Apeldoorn and Beekbergen enjoyed some creative afternoons at Royal Talens. They connected with colleagues from our Apeldoorn-based company and schoolchildren from the area, making art and new friends along the way. It was a wonderful chance to explore their creativity and build community ties.
In June, several Colourful Connection Days were organized by the Royal Talens Foundation. These days were initiated to connect children and young people from the AZC in Apeldoorn and Beekbergen with Apeldoorners and an Apeldoorn based company through color and creativity, which we are known for.
During these days, participants received a tour of the Royal Talens factory where they saw how the colorful paints are mixed. They also engaged in various collaborative games to get to know each other, the Dutch language, and others kids from the area better. Furthermore, they creatively engaged in a Zentangle workshop, the perfect art form for creating a piece of art on a small surface. Zentangle, with its repetitive patterns and lines, provides tools for mindfulness, which can offer calm and space. This can be especially helpful in a lively environment like an asylum center, where most of the participants live. All participants also received a well-filled goodie bag so they could continue with Zentangle on their own, for example, in the AZC.
We received a message from one of the supervisors at the asylum center that the Zentangle workshops continued when they returned to the AZC. Children who were not able to attend the event were taught Zentangle by those who were there, demonstrating the enthusiasm the children had for the workshop.
The children's works will be on display to the public at CODA Junior from the 17th of August for one week. Visit this exposition to enjoy the delightful small works of art created during the Zentangle workshops. The intricate lines and patterns offer a perfect, relaxing pause amidst a busy summer holiday. Come and unwind with us while appreciating the creativity of young artists!
These days were made possible thanks to the Royal Talens Foundation, various anonymous sponsors, Rotary Club Apeldoorn, and the incredible efforts of the CFO of Royal Talens and his friends, who ran the Tokyo Marathon to raise funds for this initiative.
Thank you to the COA locations Apeldoorn and Beekbergen for their enthusiasm in enjoying these Colourful Connection Days with their residents. Thank you to all volunteers from Innerwheel Apeldoorn and the colleagues from Royal Talens and the Experience Centre to make this day possible. Thank you to Stichting Veteranen Bus for the transport. And thank you to certified Zentangle teachers, Marieke Sanchez Ruiz and Bhani Ramjee, for bringing creativity in the form of Zentangle to all participants.
Pictures during the Colourful Connection Days are made by Baptiste Chiron.
Thank you to de Apeldoorngids for shedding light on our project!
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