Advocacy: The CreativiDAD Project

For many of us, the passion for teaching extends beyond the school day. This desire to share our love of art can manifest in various forms, such as community mural projects, hosted paint nights, or guided virtual lessons—all of which Iʼve had the opportunity to lead multiple times. My involvement in these community-based art experiences evolved into hosting Daddy and Me creativity workshops at local libraries starting in 2021.

Becoming a father profoundly changed my life, as parenthood does for so many. As a practicing artist, I found that dedicated creative time became a significant challenge. The limitations of solely working at night proved unsustainable, leading me to integrate my child into my art-making process. This allowed me to pursue my passion alongside the child I cherish, ultimately laying the groundwork for the CreativiDAD project.

Project Goals
The CreativiDAD project began as a two-pronged effort aimed at fostering family creativity. Its first component involved my son and me producing a body of work. We planned to exhibit and tour this work in local neighborhoods to encourage other families to engage in creative acts together. The second, equally important aspect was to host creativity workshops for fathers/male guardians and their children.

Learning Together
For approximately seven months in 2021, my son and I worked on twelve mixed-media paintings. During this time, we tried new media and genuinely had fun. We ventured far from perfection and really dug into enjoyment. While I played the role of teacher, showing him how to hold tools and mix colors, he also taught me plenty. He taught me about patience and when and how to stop. I learned from him that completion is when you, as the artist, have lost interest; anything further is forced. He taught me about multitasking as we worked on multiple canvases at once. He also taught me about taking breaks for snacks, popping bubbles, and throwing frisbees.

Creativity Workshops
As a result of my experiences painting and creating with my son, I realized the importance of creativity as a parenting and social development tool. I wanted to provide fathers with the skills needed to add it to their toolbelt, or at least offer families an hour that allows them to spend quality time together while making memories through the artistic process. I also wanted to highlight that creativity aids in exploring emotions and builds critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

In the creativity workshops that followed, I witnessed fathers completely engaged with their children. For that moment, they could set aside all other concerns and be present for their family. I’ve also seen the heightened level of joy it brings the children and how they collaborate with their parents to create a work of art that is both beautiful and expressive.

The Initiative Continues
Recognizing the continuous need for expressive outlets in both children and adults, this initiative remains ongoing. I believe that shared creative engagement fosters stronger relationships, ultimately contributing to a more robust sense of self. To truly support our students in becoming their best, we must equip all those involved in their development with these crucial skills. While celebrating student creations through exhibitions is important, let us also explore deeper engagement with stakeholders in the artistic processes we, as art teachers, are passionate about.