Hi John,

This past weekend I had the pleasure of taking in an Antibalas concert, an afrobeat jazz band Scott and I have been listening to for some time. When they announced a show close to home, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to catch them live!

They were fantastic!

I had my art teacher hat on (it's hard to leave it at home), and what struck me most was their playfulness as artists and musicians. As the band members jammed and improvised, their delight in playing together was absolutely moving.

It was noticeable that play is at the core of their game.

Definitions of play turn up with ideas around engaging in activities for their pure enjoyment and amusement rather than a serious or practical purpose, along with words like spontaneity, creativity, and experimentation.

When we talk about seeing bands, we'll say things like:

"they played so well,"

"I saw them play live," or

"they played my favorite song."

Play is at the heart of the matter!

What lessons are found in this for other creative pursuits?

How do you make time for play in your creative process?

Where can you let go of perfection and embrace the unpredictable process of creating?

How can you release yourself from a fear of making mistakes?

Do you see opportunities to collaborate with others to bring your visions to life?

Here are two tangible ways to bring more play into your art or that of your kids:

Art Jam Session: Just like musicians who riff off each other during a jam session, create a playful and collaborative art experience by gathering a group to work on a single piece of art. Set up a large sheet of paper on the wall or floor and invite everyone to add their unique artistic touches to a collective piece. Use your choice of materials: paint, markers, collage materials. Collaborative work encourages communication, play, spontaneity, and improvisation. Read the post for 7 tips for setting up your own art jam session. Art Jam Sessions: Collaborative Painting
Art Tinkering Box: Assemble an "Art Tinkering Box" filled with a variety of unconventional and recycled materials like cardboard tubes, bottle caps, fabric scraps, buttons, egg cartons, or string. Experiment with different combinations to create unique art pieces. This activity promotes playfulness, experimentation, problem-solving skills, and creative thinking. Get started with invention and set up your own art tinkering box. Read the post: DIY Kids Invention Box

Happy creating!

Rachelle, Playful Creator

P.S. Looking for more inspiration? Here are 3 resources to help nurture your creativity:

1 Discover art for every season with "Art around the Year: 36 Lessons for Every Season." Start exploring now.

2 Ignite your creative spark with TinkerLab Schoolhouse's art & STEAM projects, printables, and calendars. Join here.

3 Enhance your skills with our Live Professional Development Workshops for teachers, docents, and adult groups. Reserve your spot today.