Josh & Julie Korn: My art therapy room!
I am so thrilled to have a room where I’ll be able to work with the kids at the hospital. At first we weren’t sure if there would be a room available, but then Leron remembered that there was a room that had been used for storage which he said I could use. When I saw it, I nearly screamed. I thought it was just perfect. The last couple of weeks, I’ve been getting stuff together and buying supplies and paints to get started on making the room an inviting space for kids. I’m always reminded how differently things work here when I set out to get something done. It’s not like there’s a one-stop shop like Home Depot where you can get all you’d ever dreamed of!
Firstly, I needed paints, paintbrushes, turpentine, etc. I went to a few different “stores” (which could more accurately be called shacks) and eventually rounded up everything I needed. I found a sheet of metal at a scrap yard that was perfect for my magnet board. I had a welder make a bar for me to go on my tree on the wall. It has all come together, and I’m excited about all the art that the kids will create here.
The bar the welder made for me.
Lots of paint.
I painted oatmeal and powdered milk cans to be hung on the “tree branch” for art supplies.
It is very easy to find chalkboard paint here, which I had never heard of before. Schools across Africa use chalkboard paint, which they paint directly on to their brick or cement classroom walls. I was very excited to paint a chalkboard on my wall!
Painting the tree branch.
A little chubby hippo. Josh told me I needed to be sure to make him chubby enough.
All done!
The closet with the art supplies!
Cans with different coloring utensils right above the desk.
I got some art supplies in Jerusalem and some here. Thanks to Christine Lehman for raiding her arts and crafts stash and giving me lots of it! I am excited to get even more supplies in the States this summer!
Josh wanted his picture taken with the hippo. (I’m serious).
He also wanted his picture taken with the owl.
Picture taken from the front door.
Cute window.
I wanted a metal sheet to paint and hang on the wall to be used as a magnetic board. We found one in the Marche that was a leftover scrap. I will be buying magnetic sheets in the States and making cut out animals, people, scenes, etc. to be used as an interactive magnetic board!
Magnets on the magnetic board.
Youssoufou came by yesterday and he really wanted his picture with the hippo and the lamp shade!
Posted by: Julie Korn
Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing, Julie. I shared this with my mom who was a fine arts major and has been a kindergarten/1st grade teacher for almost 30 years. I think she’ll love to see what you did with the room.
Oh and great job with the chubby hippo! Looks like he and Josh can be pals.