Tim Needles

The Gratitude Project originally began with a more tactile, traditional printmaking lesson. 

The best mindfulness projects are the ones that impact the culture in a meaningful way; the Gratitude Project is one such project. A few years ago, my school district implemented a social-emotional learning program that had a direct influence on my teaching.

One aspect of the program focused on the importance of gratitude and how being in touch with what and who we are grateful for keeps us in a positive mindset, concentrating on affirmations rather than anxieties. I wanted to bring this learning into my classroom, so I instituted what became known as the Gratitude Project.

Project Beginnings
The project began when I used gratitude as the focus of a printmaking lesson and encouraged students to include words and iconography to ref lect the things for which they are grateful. We used gel printing plates to make a series of artworks that express gratitude and discovered that not only did the work have a positive impact, but sharing the prints in the school and community amplified the positivity in a fantastic way.

This project is always a profound experience, no matter how it takes shape.

The following year, we expanded the project and invited the entire school to participate. We concentrated on projects throughout the month of November and invited all students and staff to take part. This had a beneficial effect throughout the building because the teachers participated along with the students, and everyone left with a newfound appreciation for the arts.

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