Yet again this year we were back at Sekimachi Kita Elementary School to run EGAKU for grades 3-6, where we've been running workshops every year since 2013. After engaging with the artist's painting using their five senses, each student painted their heart in their own way.

After everyone finished painting their pictures, the works were displayed and the students took the time to look at each others' works and write comments on the works. At the end, each student proudly presented the title of their work.

What did the students make of the experience? 
"I learned that you can share your feelings in pictures." 
"I think it's good to express feelings in pictures, it was a good experience. It was also good to look at other people's pictures and write what we think."
"It's hard to put your heart on paper, but when I did it I felt really happy and excited."
"Everyone has different feelings. It made me think, 'Oh this is what this person feels.'"
"Today I learned that it's important to paint these feelings inside my heart."

Theme: My heart/soul
Program overview: EGAKU Program
Participants: 25 elementary school students, a mixed group of elementary school children (3rd-6th grades)
Venue: Sekimachi Kita Elementary School, Nerima Ward, Tokyo
Host institution: Midori No Kaze Hiroba
Facilitators: Sae Shirasaki, Kaori Shishikura
Staff: Ryoko Nakamura, Junko Sakamoto
※ This program was run by White Ship’s non-profit arm, ELAB.