Art workshops bring joy to Oslo refugee camp
Art workshops bring joy to Oslo refugee camp

In times of displacement and uncertainty, art can be a powerful tool for healing and connection. Ukrainian artist Vlad Kladko, now residing in Oslo, Norway, understands this deeply. Besides his work with refugees at the Tåsen camp, he has initiated a remarkable art project that brings beauty and creativity back into the lives of those affected by war.

The Royal Talens Foundation Online Auction serves as a key funding source for our humanitarian art projects. While the recent auction fell short of our fundraising goals, our dedication to supporting transformative art programs for vulnerable communities remains unwavering.

Need to create

All people have a need to create something and feel that they are doing something beautiful. People who have experienced war often lose their chance to create something beautiful, as it's not their first priority. My main task was to bring back this feeling of creating something beautiful and meaningful through the art process itself.

The Still Life project

The Still Life project at Tåsen refugee camp was divided into several rounds. Each group participated in a four-hour workshop. The first part was theoretical, where Vlad Kladko taught about still life history, composition rules, basic drawing techniques, and color studies. The second part was practical. Participants were given watercolors and small paper to test and get a feel for the materials and how they work on paper. We learned about layering as one of watercolor's main qualities.

Small fun projects

Still life painting is one of the basic painting directions that can be fun for both children and adults. During the workshops, we used watercolor paper, watercolors, gouache, and pencils from Royal Talens. It was fun learning some art rules and creating our own creative vision afterwards.

On some breaks, we had small fun projects with gouache and paper plates where we tried to reconstruct an old Ukrainian painting called 'petrykivka'.

We had a great time!

Still life workshops were a fun experience not only for children but also for their parents. It was an excellent meeting activity for a whole family that brought valuable moments in this difficult time.

Parent, 44 years old: "This was an incredibly nice experience! I dreamed of being able to paint one day, and that dream came true. Thank you so much for this opportunity! This workshop fulfilled another dream. We had a great time!"

Sharing is caring

After the workshops, an exhibition was created together with the children and displayed in the common areas where other residents could enjoy the creative works and art expressions.

Our heartfelt gratitude to Global Hobby

Global Hobby og Kunst, has significantly amplified the impact of Vlad Kladko's art project for Ukrainian refugees by not only facilitating a donation of Royal Talens art supplies but also creating a comprehensive support ecosystem.

Alf Christian Falck, the managing director of Global Hobby, went beyond a simple material donation by coordinating the distribution through the Tegne store in Oslo, offering additional materials, and providing a discount for future activities—effectively transforming a simple donation into a sustainable support initiative.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Global Hobby for their exceptional commitment to this art and healing project, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can create meaningful change for displaced communities.

Related blogs

A visit with purpose: Municipality of Apeldoorn Visit - Royal Talens
Foundation

A visit with purpose: Municipality of Apeldoorn Visit

In June, the Royal Talens Foundation welcomed a broad delegation from the Municipality of Apeldoorn’s Vitaal en Ondernemend Apeldoorn (VOA) department...
Rabobank International Business visit highlights creativity at Royal Talens Foundation - Royal Talens
Foundation

Rabobank International Business visit highlights creativity at Royal Talens Foundation

Royal Talens Foundation recently welcomed Rabobank International Business to its headquarters for a meeting focused on exchange and connection. 
Supporting creative exchange through street art in France - Royal Talens
Foundation

Supporting creative exchange through street art in France

The Royal Talens Foundation supported a street art project by Artivista in La Celle-Saint-Cloud, France, where young participants took part...
Rotary Club Noord Apeldoorn at Royal Talens Foundation - Royal Talens
Foundation

Rotary Club Noord Apeldoorn at Royal Talens Foundation

A visit by Rotary Club Noord Apeldoorn combined a tour, shared dinner and contribution to charitable projects, reflecting a shared...
Behind the scenes: Visit by Vanbinnennaarbuiten - Royal Talens
Foundation

Behind the scenes: Visit by Vanbinnennaarbuiten

A group from Vanbinnennaarbuiten visited Royal Talens for a guided tour, exploring production and the creative process.
Robert Lapoujade painting installed at Royal Talens factory - Royal Talens
Foundation

Robert Lapoujade painting installed at Royal Talens factory

A painting by Robert Lapoujade has been placed in the Royal Talens factory, reconnecting the company’s artistic heritage with its...
Creative workshops help newcomer children feel at home - Royal Talens
Foundation

Creative workshops help newcomer children feel at home

Through weekly workshops, newcomer children explore creativity, culture and future possibilities, helping them feel more at home in the Netherlands.
Reading and Making Art with Children at a Refugee Centre - Royal Talens
Foundation

Reading and Making Art with Children at a Refugee Centre

At a refugee centre in Belgium, children combined reading and art in a workshop that encouraged discussion, imagination and creative...