Succesfull Children’s Christmas Art Workshop

On an enchanting Saturday, the 16th day of December, the Strong Through Art Foundation, in collaboration with the talented artists of the Karmijn and Werklicht foundations and Ukrainian artists, deployed a festive Christmas spectacle for refugee Ukrainian children, ages ranging from 4 to 12. The vibrant atmosphere of Youth Theatre Hofplein in Rotterdam served as the perfect stage for this inspiring event, exploring the boundaries of art and compassion.

The Ukrainian and Dutch artists involved were on hand to share their creative gifts, enthusiastically immersing the children in a world of painting, drawing, cartooning, and even digital art. Participation was overwhelming, and the children experienced not only the joy of creativity but also the fun of various activities such as shuffleboard and face painting. Notable was the heartwarming participation of parents and guardians, who at one point joined the children in the festivities.

Moreover, we were pleasantly surprised by a visit from renowned cartoonist, Robert van der Kroft. With his undeniable talent and creativity, he let his artistic mind run wild and added his touch to the children’s drawings, matching the themes and topics they had explored. It was an extraordinary addition to the event, where the children not only got the chance to learn from a professional artist but also to work together to create unique artwork that will be a lasting memory of this special day.

The resulting artworks, ranging from colorful drawings to personal portraits, reflected not only the skills acquired by the children but also the unique expressions of their imagination. In the coming period, several artists will work with the children’s artwork to make a careful selection of these works. Selected pieces will be proudly printed on flags, which will then have a striking presence during Rotterdam Art Week’s flag parade.

Besides the artistic part of the day, the children were spoilt with treats such as nutritious food, refreshing drinks, and a touch of sweets. As an extra token of affection and care, they received bags full of surprises and presents, which made their smiling faces shine even wider as they left Youth Theatre Hofplein.

The overwhelming success experience has earned the Strong Through Art Foundation appreciation not only within Rotterdam but also beyond. We have proudly received invitations from other cities eager to organise a similar event for Ukrainian children. Our foundation is already looking forward to the next adventure, which will take place in the Ukrainian village near Vlaardingen, called Mrija. Here, we will again create a special day, again especially for Ukrainian children. More information about this exciting project will follow soon.

The Strong Through Art Foundation feels deep appreciation for all the artists and volunteers who selflessly contributed to the success of this day. A special thanks goes to Youth Theatre Hofplein, where the magic took place, and to the Municipality of Rotterdam for their valuable support.

Our Volunteers & Special Guest Volunteer

Kseniia Bortsova
Olexandra Lysenko
Marharyta Marynuik
Dmytro Trach
Yuliya Kolyada
Liliia Herasimchuk
Leyla
Dariia Pashkova
Diana Barabash
Oksana Savchuk

Robert van der Kroft
Tamara Prins-van ‘t Hof

Karin de Visser
Thea van Gils-Vlasveld
Theo Huijgens
Evelien de Jong
Willem van Hest
Willem Dieleman
Albert Sterenborg
Arno Bosma

Furthermore, we would like to especially thank our sponsors, Van Heijster and the Royal Talens Foundation, for their generous contributions to this unforgettable day. Together, we not only celebrated art, but also made a lasting impression on the hearts of the children and their parents. It was truly a top day full of love, art and unforgettable memories!