Dreams For Kids DC x DSTL Arts: Creative Art

Join Dreams For Kids DC x DSTL Arts for a collaborative & creative session of Haiku Poem Writing and Mandala Drawing class. Come experience the fun, expressive, cathartic, and mindful process of Haiku poem writing and drawing Mandalas!

What: Dreams For Kids DC x DSTL Arts has set up a virtual art clinic for individuals of all ages with physical and developmental disabilities. This clinic will focus on basic haiku writing skills and basic mandala drawing skills. We will use the process of haiku writing and mandala drawing as a way to cultivate mindfulness: the mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment.

Haiku Poems are a type of short-form poetry that originated from Japan. Each haiku is three sentences long and each sentence has its own syllable count. The first line has five syllables, the second has seven syllables, and the third has five syllables. The beauty of haiku writing is that it requires creative mindfulness. No previous poem writing experiences necessary. Luis will breakdown the steps to make it easy for a beginner!

Mandalas are circular designs with repeating shapes and historically have held spiritual significance. The word “mandala” comes from the Sanskrit word for circle. All you need is a pencil, eraser, and paper (colored pencils/markers/crayons are optional). No previous drawing experience necessary. Moya will breakdown the steps to make it easy for a beginner!

When: Friday, January 8th, 2021 from 12-1:30 PST // 3-4:30 PM EST

Where: Online via Zoom (You will receive the zoom conference link a few days before the clinic)

Who: Participants with physical and developmental disabilities of all ages welcome and we also invite their family members to attend as well! We also invite DFKDC x DSTL Arts volunteers and friends to join us online to make this a truly inclusive session. Please read about all of our new digital programming (in light of COVID-19) here: https://www.dreamsforkidsdc.org/programs

Dreams For Kids DC programs are 100% free and give children with disabilities in-person and digital learning experiences in sports and other activities, helping them realize their full potential to succeed in all walks of life.

About Dreams For Kids DC:

Dreams For Kids DC provides life-changing activities that empower children with physical and developmental disabilities to unite with their peers and realize their potential. DFKDC events are adaptive sports clinics held once or twice a month for children with disabilities aged 4 – 24. Through our events, those with physical and developmental disabilities are able to come off the sidelines and unite with their peers. A lot of these children have been bullied in schools, and are left out of activities with able-bodied children. The empowerment and self-confidence gained through the clinic will carry over from the field to the home, classroom, and the community, allowing them to realize that their disability will not prevent them from fulfilling their dreams. Each child is partnered with a volunteer to learn the essence of teamwork, have a mentor, and also bond over a sense of camaraderie. Learn more at dreamsforkidsdc.org

DSTL Arts:

DSTL Arts is a 501c3 nonprofit arts mentorship organization that inspires, teaches, and hires emerging artists from underserved communities. Based in Los Angeles, CA, we achieve our mission through multiple programs and services that inspire people of all ages in our community, and we empower them to be the artists they know themselves to be. The acronym in our name stands for Develop Skills and Transcend Limits, which we believe can be done through the Arts. Our vision is to replace the idea of the starving artist, with the reality of the working artist in the minds of all our program participants. Learn more at dstlarts.org