Visual Art
Art can take many forms within multisensory
workshops. It can be exactly what one expects i.e. drawing/painting etc, though
it is always presented within a clear context with as wide a variety of
materials as possible, using mediums that provide visual, tactile and even
aural qualities themselves.
Never impose your expectations onto a
participant, they will be creative in their own way and probably surprise you.
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An arts activity can also combine with and complement other artforms to enrich the experience, inspiring music and movement within the activity, for example creating morphing patterns with elastic and shadows
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For participants who may have very
limited movement and/or communication difficulties, even the opportunity to
have time and space to communicate choices/preferences when contributing to
'the whole' means they are participating in creating art along with everyone
else. Pushing a brick off your knee with the tip of your finger, as a
contribution to building a structure, shows engagement and sharing the
experience, even if you can't place it for yourself.
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Drawing/painting
- give a context and motivation, without expectation. Making it fun, encourage
participants to try painting/drawing in other ways, with fingers in sand, with
facepaint on mirrors, with chalk on a cave wall, on paper plates with rice.
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Constructing
spaces/building structures is a good way to utilise a variety of multisensory
props both small and large. Building with carpet tubes, plastic fencing, empty
boxes, not only allows sensory exploration of individual items, but encourages
cooperative activities and socialisation.
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Decoration - materials, both from the natural world and man-made can be
used for weaving and adding to large areas which have already been prepared to
enable simple additions.
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Use unusual materials with a variety of textures, maybe sounds attached to them. Poke them in holes, weave through wide gaps or attach to a frame.
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This is all about making choices; colour, length, shape, texture, where things should go in relation to the whole. Enable options at different levels for those who are in wheelchairs or like to work on the floor
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Adding lights makes it even more magical,
particularly if using different colours. Keep on/off switch easy to reach.
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Pattern-making
- rice, stones, seeds, pine cones all have their own multisensory qualities and
can be used in bulk to create patterns as well as enjoying them individually. Laying them on a dark cloth creates a pleasing contrast.
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Pasta in a variety of shapes and sizes can create beautiful patterns , jewellery or unusual pieces of sculpture.
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Coloured lighting gels
cut into shapes can simply be pressed onto a stretchwrap screen which has been
sprayed with water to create Mondrian inspired masterpieces.
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