Between the 2nd and 11th of July 2024, the Adult Education Staff Mobility within the Art in Action project brought together 12 passionate educators from CGE team for a transformative experience in the scenic surroundings of Madeira, Portugal. This mobility, designed to enhance skills in art-based methodologies, focused on addressing the educational and emotional needs of adults, particularly seniors, by merging creative practices with non-formal education.
Hosted by ARTE.M, the training course combined theoretical knowledge with practical workshops, encouraging participants to immerse themselves in a variety of art-based methodologies. Activities included hands-on sessions in art therapy, collaborative problem-solving workshops, and case studies showcasing the impact of visual art in community engagement.
Visit artmadeira.org to learn more.
Day-by-Day Highlights
Day 1: Laying the Foundations of Creative Thinking with Anna Mikeda
Session with Anna Mikeda. Photos by Maryna Bykova.
The first day of the Art in Action training, led by Anna Mikeda, set a transformative tone with a deep dive into art-based methodologies and the foundations of creative thinking. The day began with an engaging icebreaker activity, Your Hero Self, where participants identified with archetypal characters from myths or popular stories, fostering a reflective and empathetic atmosphere. This exercise invited participants to explore their personal narratives and connect with the group on a deeper level, setting the stage for collaboration and mutual understanding throughout the day.
A slide from Anna Mikeda’s session about seven creative principles of the famous master Leonardo da Vinci, which one can use in everyday life to develop creativity. (c) Anna Mikeda.
Anna’s sessions were a masterclass in blending theory and practice. The morning introduced Graham Wallas’ four stages of creative thinking—preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification—through interactive exercises that bridged theoretical concepts with real-world applications. Participants worked in teams to tackle challenges, brainstorm ideas, and evaluate solutions, enhancing their understanding of creativity as a structured yet flexible process. Later, they explored Michael Gelb’s Seven Principles of Creativity by Leonardo Da Vinci, engaging in practical exercises like sensory awareness and balancing logic with imagination, which encouraged them to apply these principles to both personal growth and professional innovation.
The afternoon sessions delved into the more intuitive aspects of creativity, beginning with a workshop on entering the “flow” state. Participants practiced mindfulness techniques to identify their personal triggers for achieving creative immersion, followed by expressive activities that reconnected them with their inner child. These moments of spontaneity and playful exploration culminated in art-making exercises, which helped participants tap into uninhibited creativity. The day closed with reflective journaling, allowing participants to synthesize their experiences and consider how to apply these transformative insights in their professional and personal lives.
Day 2: Structured Creativity and Alternative Problem-Solving
The second day unfolded in the serene setting of Quinta do Santo Da Serra park, offering participants an immersive environment for introspection and creative exploration. The day began with a grounding walk and mindfulness practice, where participants used the 5 Feelings Approach to focus on one sensory experience at a time. This exercise fostered a sense of calm and present-moment awareness, laying the foundation for the creative activities ahead.
Mindfulness exercise with Anna Mikeda in Quinta do Santo Da Serra park. Photos by Maryna Bykova.
Guided by Anna Mikeda, participants engaged in expressive drawing and sculpting using natural materials, symbolizing their emotions and personal narratives. These exercises not only deepened self-awareness but also encouraged innovative ways of exploring identity and experience.
Sculpting using natural materials, guided by Anna Mikeda. Photos by Maryna Bykova.
The afternoon sessions shifted focus to Edward de Bono’s lateral thinking techniques, introducing participants to alternative approaches to problem-solving. Through interactive puzzles and scenarios, they practiced breaking free from conventional thinking patterns. This session was followed by an exploration of De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats, where participants adopted diverse perspectives to analyze a case study and collaboratively navigate complex decision-making processes. Role-playing exercises highlighted the importance of integrating different viewpoints for creative and balanced solutions.
Presentation by Anna Mikeda. (c) Anna Mikeda.
The day ended with a reflective group discussion, where participants shared their insights and personal breakthroughs. The tools and strategies explored during the day provided valuable frameworks for fostering structured creativity and innovative problem-solving in both personal and professional contexts.
Day 3: Nonviolent Communication and Creative Tools for Community Peacebuilding
The third day of the training focused on harnessing communication tools and creative techniques to foster dialogue, resolve conflicts, and promote community engagement.
The morning began with an introduction to Nonviolent Communication (NVC), where participants explored empathy, active listening, and honesty as foundations for constructive conflict resolution.
Guided role-plays provided a hands-on approach to practicing NVC, with scenarios tailored to community and workplace contexts. These exercises emphasized the power of fostering mutual understanding and transforming conflicts into opportunities for connection.
Presentation by Anna Mikeda. (c) Anna Mikeda.
“Practicing Nonviolent Communication using a real case from our organization was a revelation. It helped me truly understand how the method works and showed me the difference it makes when needs and feelings are expressed openly and empathetically. Applying this approach not only clarified the situation but also improved communication between colleagues, fostering a more supportive and understanding environment.”
– Sokhiba, participant of the training
In the afternoon, participants delved into community engagement through art and mindfulness. Guided by Anna Mikeda, they explored how collaborative art-making and mindfulness practices can create inclusive spaces that amplify diverse voices. Through these activities, participants discovered ways to use creative tools to promote connection, empathy, and dialogue within groups, reflecting on how to adapt these methods to their own communities. The session highlighted art and mindfulness as practical tools for bridging divides and fostering reconciliation in diverse settings.
Session with Anna Mikeda. Photos by Fatima Azadli.
Day 4: Outdoor Activities for Mental Health and Resilience
Hiking activity. Photo by Maryna Bykova.
The next day transported participants to the serene island of Porto Santo, where a series of guided outdoor workshops highlighted the connection between nature, mental health, and resilience.
The day began with a hike on the Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã trail, integrating mindfulness exercises like silent walking, grounding barefoot exercises, and breathing techniques.
These activities combined physical movement with a striking natural environment to stimulate observation skills, enhance mood, and improve physical well-being. A post-hike discussion offered practical insights into organizing such activities, focusing on preparation and effective debriefing strategies to ensure educational impact alongside positive experiences.
The afternoon delved into creative and reflective activities, starting with body mapping and mandala creation on the beach.
Participants traced their outlines in the sand and decorated them with natural materials like shells and stones, visually expressing their emotions, challenges, and inner strengths.
This exercise encouraged emotional exploration and deepened self-awareness, building on themes of intuition and the inner child introduced earlier in the week.
The session concluded with a group discussion about connecting with subconscious intuition and fostering self-reflection through creative practices.
Drawing on the sand. Photo by Maryna Bykova.
Day 5: Synesthesia, Diversity, and Community Engagement through Art Therapy
The fifth day of the Art in Action training program was a deep dive into the interplay of art, music, and cultural diversity, guided by renowned synesthetic artist Francesca Brigani. The day began with a study visit to ARTEM’s Office and Caravel Art Center, where participants explored the center’s innovative approach to fostering creativity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement in the arts. This visit set the tone for a day filled with multi-sensory exploration and practical insights into art therapy.
Visiting ARTEM’s Office and Caravel Art Center was truly inspiring. Seeing how they blend creativity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement gave me a fresh perspective on how art can be a catalyst for social change. It was a reminder that fostering spaces like this can empower individuals and build stronger, more connected communities.
– Antonin, participant of the training
Group picture. Photo by Fatima Azadli.
Followed by the tour, Francesca led an interactive session on music as a tool in art therapy, where participants explored the emotional and connective potential of sound and rhythm through collective creative exercises. A session on multicultural and diversity competence in art therapy highlighted the importance of creating inclusive spaces for diverse communities. Through role-playing and collaborative projects, participants learned to navigate intercultural challenges while fostering inclusion and dialogue.
Session with Francesca Brigani. Photos by Maryna Bykova.
The day’s activities also included a workshop on synesthesia in creative problem-solving, where participants engaged in multi-sensory exercises like matching textures with emotions and creating abstract representations using sound and color. A practical session on designing community art workshops allowed participants to simulate activities promoting resilience and inclusivity. The day concluded with a Q&A session with Francesca Brigani, where she shared insights into her career and methodologies, inspiring participants to integrate multi-sensory approaches into their own professional and community work.
Day 6: Art for self-discovery
The morning began with a study visit to ARTEM’s initiatives, where participants explored impactful projects like the Solidarity Exhibition and tactical urban interventions in Santa Maria Street.
These examples showcased how ARTEM leverages art to address social and economic barriers, empower marginalized communities, and foster intercultural understanding, sparking discussions on art’s transformative role in society.
The next step of the program included a session, led by clinical psychologist and Gestalt therapist Natalia Delibazoglo, focused on the therapeutic potential of art as a tool for healing, self-discovery, and inclusion. Natalia’s workshops provided hands-on exploration of Gestalt therapy techniques, starting with a session on art for self-discovery. Participants engaged in exercises like scribble drawing and symbolic representation, fostering emotional awareness and building tools for self-acceptance. A session on trauma healing through creative expression followed, where participants created visual narratives to externalize emotions constructively. These activities offered a safe space for exploring challenges and strengths while learning how to integrate these methods into professional practices.
Session with Natalia Delibazoglo. Photo by Grigoriy Grigoriev.
Day 7: Integrating Insights and Building Resilient Communities
The final day of the Art in Action training program emphasised reflection, integration, and planning for future impact.
The early morning was dedicated to a mindfulness accession to the pique Pico do Arieiro, where participants witnessed the sunrise and engaged in silent reflection and breathing exercises.
This grounding experience encouraged participants to connect with nature, enhance mental clarity, and solidify their emotional grounding for the day’s activities.
The day followed by a workshop on the topic of integration of the gained lessons learned, where participants used art therapy techniques to create visual representations of their personal growth and plans for applying these methods in their professional work. The session highlighted how art therapy can be used to promote mental well-being and foster inclusive communities. In the afternoon, participants collaborated in a session on community building through art and mindfulness, developing follow-up plans and distributing tasks to ensure the learning from the program could be effectively disseminated and integrated into daily practices.
The program concluded with a reflective evaluation and closing ceremony. Participants journaled their thoughts, exchanged feedback, and reflected on their personal growth and key takeaways from the mobility experience. The formal closing ceremony celebrated the group’s achievements, with certificates distributed to honor their completion of the program. The evening offered participants free time to explore Madeira or reflect on their transformative journey, bringing a meaningful conclusion to an inspiring and impactful training experience.
Group picture at the Caravel Art Center. Photo by Svetlana.
Reflecting on the Journey – Key Lessons from the Art in Action Training
The Art in Action training program was a transformative journey, blending creativity, mindfulness, and collaboration to empower educators and equip them with innovative tools for engaging adult learners.
Over the course of seven days, participants explored a diverse range of methodologies and perspectives, from synesthetic art to trauma healing, and from mindfulness hikes to community-building exercises.
These experiences not only deepened personal insights but also provided actionable strategies to foster inclusion, resilience, and creative growth in their professional contexts.
A figure from the session in the Quinta do Santo Da Serra. Photo by Fatima Azadli.
Through reflection on the week’s activities, three key lessons emerged:
- The Power of Creativity as a Bridge
Creativity, in its many forms, proved to be a powerful tool for fostering connection and understanding. Whether through collaborative art-making, synesthetic problem-solving, or body mapping, participants discovered how creative practices can break down barriers, amplify diverse voices, and create spaces for dialogue and empathy. - The Importance of Mindfulness in Education
Mindfulness emerged as a cornerstone for personal and professional growth. Practices like grounding walks, breathing exercises, and reflective journaling underscored the value of being present and emotionally grounded. These tools not only enhanced participants’ well-being but also provided practical methods for fostering focus and emotional regulation in learners. - Collaboration as a Catalyst for Growth
The program highlighted the importance of shared learning and collaboration. From role-playing exercises in Nonviolent Communication to group discussions on cultural diversity, participants gained valuable insights by working together. The collective exchange of ideas and experiences enriched everyone’s understanding and strengthened the group’s ability to address challenges collectively.
As participants return to their communities and organizations, these lessons will serve as a foundation for implementing art-based and mindfulness practices. The connections formed, skills developed, and insights gained during the Art in Action program will undoubtedly have a lasting impact, inspiring educators to continue fostering creativity, inclusion, and resilience in their work.
The Art in Action project (P.Nr.: 2023-1-DE02-KA122-ADU-000145566) is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program.
