IMAGINE WITHOUT BORDERS – Romania 2024

A COMMUNITY PROJECT BY CUP OF COLOR in Sântana de Mureș

“I can’t even draw a house!”
— One boy replied after we asked the group to draw an animal that represents who they are.

It takes courage to leave your mark on a wall, paint with a brush and know it is permanent. At the same time its powerful because it gives you a voice. We often witness in our projects that kids get very proud after the painted on a wall. Sometimes they pass by the wall with their parents to show them what they created.

1. WE CREATE

Our mural is a garden full of animals. They are all different, but all of them have space in that garden.

We needed to try something different. So we went on with a game. Everyone drew random shapes. Within these shapes they then imagined animals and we asked them to add ears, eyes, legs and so on. In not much time everyone in the group was able to draw a very free animal. All of them then drew their animal on the wall and we could see pride in their eyes. Even the boy from the start did it. He drew a cat with a happy face.

2. WE PAINT TOGETHER

Some of the older children came by again and asked if they could paint. The teacher told us that they have been asking every day since they first came to us last week.

It’s important to let them be involved from the start, we prepare the wall surface with grounding, filling up the color shapes with rollers, then our team will facilitate them so they can paint their marvellous ideas with brushes on the colorful area. It's really nice to see how a very nice dynamic has developed through the week.

3. WE CELEBRATE

Why do we celebrate every project with a party? Because it's essential for our community to relive the incredible moments that brought us to the finish line.

What makes these celebrations even more special is seeing everyone come together and invest their time and effort in the fest. We always encourage the community to bring their own favourite food to share with each other. It was heartwarming to see the kids proudly bake and share their favourite cakes and snacks with us.

PROJECT TEAM

From Cup of Color: Tobias, Alissa, Damon

Artists from the region: Emma, Ligia (Videography)

Community art
Mural
School
Children
IMAGINATION

“The painting is so cool and funny, I love it so much!”
— one boy told us after we finished the project

our goal was to create an artwork, that speaks to kids, makes them smile and shows them, that they are able to create from their imagination, TO LET THEIR IDEAS GROW WITHOUT LIMITS AND BORDERS.

 
 
 

The day that we left, Simona, the school's principal, told us that we're a part of their village now, and I believe her! Because from the beginning to the end of the project, Simona's presence had such an impact on the project - she was generous with her time and she always went the extra mile in supporting us and by extension, her community. It was beautiful to see her heart for her school and for the community in which she's living, it's truly an honor to be brought into the community in which she and the other teachers love and work so hard for. We may have brought joy and color to their walls, but they brought beauty into our lives and into the surrounding lives.

Community Art Project with 100+ kids from Kindergarten to Primary School.

“Thanks to all the kids and teachers who contributed to this beautiful mural!”

Project team: Damon, Ligia, Alissa, Tobias, Emma