Overview

As part of our Art Blast Programme, children in Kinaffe NS took part in an inclusive and imaginative arts project inspired by the theme "Create a garden and butterflies will come." Rooted in the values of diversity and belonging, this cross-curricular project combined outdoor learning, environmental awareness, and visual arts. The project was brought to life through the collaborative creation of a wildflower garden and a vibrant, large-scale painted canvas representing this garden, enriched with student-created "Painted Lady" butterflies. Mayo Education Centre and Art Blast tutor Bernadette Ruddy supported our work. Fittingly, the real Painted Lady butterfly arrived in our garden - a magical moment that affirmed our collective creativity and connection with nature.

Changemaker School Pillars in Action

As a Changemaker school, we integrated the core values of Leadership, Creativity, Empathy, and Teamwork:
- Leadership: Children led different aspects of the project, from planning the garden layout to choosing colour palettes for the canvas.
- Creativity: Every element - from flower selection to butterfly designs - reflected children's ideas and interpretations of beauty, belonging, and identity.
- Empathy: The collaborative nature of the project encouraged peer support and celebration of differences. Children shared their cultural stories and experiences through the symbolic butterflies.