Paint and play with acrylic paint -A Summer of Creativity, Connection, and Community
On a warm summer afternoon at Apple Greene Core in Richmond, BC, a simple idea brought people of different ages and artistic backgrounds together: Paint, Play, and Create.
The room quickly came alive with conversation, laughter, paintbrushes, and the excitement of trying something new. Our summer acrylic painting workshop invited participants—from preteens to experienced adults—to explore the beauty of hummingbirds and summer nature through vibrant acrylic colours. As the workshop facilitator, my goal was to create a welcoming space where everyone felt comfortable experimenting, making mistakes, and discovering their own artistic voice. We explored basic acrylic techniques such as blending, layering, colour mixing, and brushwork, while allowing each participant the freedom to interpret the subject in their own way.
Some participants arrived already confident with a brush. Others were trying acrylic painting for the first time. For some, it was simply a chance to learn a new skill. For others, it was an opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and express something they had never put on canvas before. As the paintings began to take shape, something beautiful happened—the workshop became a community.
Participants started sharing ideas, encouraging one another, and admiring each other’s work. Different ages, experiences, and artistic abilities seemed to disappear as everyone became connected through the simple joy of creating. One participant, Yola, shared how nervous she felt when she first arrived. By the end of the session, she had created a painting she was proud of and discovered that creativity does not have to be perfect to be meaningful. Another participant, Issabella, explored her own way of expressing herself through colour and shape, reminding us that every artist sees the world differently. By the end of the workshop, colourful hummingbirds filled the tables, along with smiles and a sense of accomplishment. Paint & Play became more than painting—it became a space for creativity, connection, confidence, and joy.
I’m deeply grateful to Vancouver Foundation, Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives, and Neighbourhood Small Grants for making this project possible.
Together, we created more than art—we created connections, one brushstroke at a time.
