With the pandemic receding into the background, a window of opportunity has been bestowed upon us! The city’s children have borne the brunt of it as much as any of us, with schools shutting down indefinitely and all outdoor activity being shunned. But no more! The Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata announces its Summer Workshops from 17 to 28 May 2022 for kids & adults alike. 

•  “Once upon a time…” [Story Telling workshop for children]
• “Come out and clay!” [Paper Cutting, Mask Making, 3D Paper Landscape & Clay Modelling for children]
• “What the Phad” [Traditional Phad Painting from Rajasthan for anyone above age 10]

These workshops aim to improve their cognitive, physical and social development. Each workshop is designed around a specific core strength (elocution skills, development of fine motor skills, building imagination, strengthening concentration), that enhances their self-expression, socialisation skills & boosts self-confidence. 

During the last 34 years, the Academy has successfully conducted numerous workshops on arts & craft for children and adults alike and is looked forward to by the residents of Calcutta every year. Over the past years, the Academy has welcomed children from South Point High School, Modern High School for Girls, Mahadevi Birla, Heritage School, Garden Reach and many more. We also invite adults to hone their artistic & imaginative skills along with the children. Art and age no bar! 

The details of the workshops are as follows: 

• Workshop commences from May 17 to May 28, 2022 (except Sundays and Mondays).
• Story Telling workshop commences from May 18 to May 21, 2022
• Paper Cutting, Mask & 3D Paper Landscape making & Clay Modelling from May 17 to May 28, 2022
• Traditional Phad Painting commences from May 17 to May 21, 2022 (for anyone above age 10)
• Exhibition and Certificate distribution on May 28, 2022
• The last date of admission: May 14, 2022

The workshops are divided as follows:

• Workshop I

“Come out and clay!” | Paper Cutting, Mask Making, 3D Paper Landscape & Clay Modelling
For ages: 5 to 10
Fee: Rs. 1,500
Timing: 11:30 am to 1 pm

• Workshop II

“Once upon a time…” | Story Telling
For ages: 5 to 10
Fee: Rs. 500
Timings: 11:30am to 12:15pm

“Once upon a time…”| Story Telling
For ages: 5 to 10
Fee: Rs. 500
Timings: 12:30pm to 1:15pm 

• Workshop III

“What the Phad” | Traditional Phad Painting
For ages 10 and above
Fee: Rs. 3,000
Timings: 11:30am to 1pm

“What the Phad” | Traditional Phad Painting
For ages 10 and above
Fee: Rs. 3,000
Timings: 4pm to 5:30pm

• About the facilitators:
  Kavita Gupta
  Theatre artist | Storyteller | Director, Mirror Workshops for Children’s Theatre
  
  Kavita uses theatre techniques to help children increase their self-confidence and develop their personalities.  She tries to create out-of-the-box experiences for workshop participants, so that participants can come out of their shells and perform expressively and spontaneously.  She has been trained under many National and International story tellers and theatre practitioners.
  
  Storytelling and acting are the need of the hour, as digitization is taking over many children.  We need to give children the experience of their own imaginations, because their lives and thought processes have in many cases become too structured.

She has been invited to reputed schools to tell stories and storytelling festivals. Regularly takes sessions at Oxford Bookstore, Starmark, Earthcare, The Storyteller bookstore and Think Arts Corner. Currently she takes regular sessions at various activity centers and Montessori schools. She is a member of the Indian Storytelling Network, ASSTITEJ India and FEAST.

Vijay Joshi
Master Craftsman | Traditional Phad Artist

Vijay is a celebrated & feted artist, whose painting draws from the Rajput School of art. His art is based on mythological stories of various Hindu deities.

He has exhibited his works from Mumbai and Jaipur all the way to Bogota, Colombia.

Amaresh Rakshit

Visual Artist

Amaresh is a ‘Hobby Idea Master’ at the art school he founded. He teaches young children to be creative with clay & paper to using the scissor to shape wondrous things. Additionally, Amaresh also creates wonderful paper decorations in the city’s public spaces.

• Payment:
  Participants are requested to pay the workshop fees in person at the Birla Academy of Art & Culture, during the office hours (11am-6pm)

For more information, contact:
9831534295, 9831048472, 9681780746
For storytelling: 9322598350

• Venue:
  Birla Academy of Art & Culture

           108-109, Southern Avenue

           Kolkata – 700029

On the concluding day of the workshop (28 May), participants will be presented with a certificate along with a small performance by children.

To know more & register your interest, click on  bit.ly/SummerWorkshops22  and fill the details.Please remember, fees for the workshop can only be paid in person at the Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Kolkata.

Hurry! Places are running out!