The Finnish Happiness Academy, in collaboration with Muoviamo, invites children aged 5–10 to create artworks using recycled plastic! The theme of the artworks is the protection of our marine ecosystems. The plastic art workshop is part of UNESCO’s 2024 Youth Innovation Contest.
What is Finnish Happiness academy?
The Finnish Happiness Academy helps young people and individuals discover happiness through meaningful actions that blend innovation, technology, and the arts. Through interactive workshops and discussions with mentors, we guide them in exploring their passions, creativity, and life direction in collaboration with universities and diverse partners.
Art from recycled plastic bags
The themes for the artworks are inspired by reflecting on the challenges our oceans currently face, how pollution and climate change impact marine conditions, and how we can protect marine biodiversity to ensure that the oceans remain vibrant for future generations.
Plastic bags will be used as materials in the workshop. The competition artworks will be created using collage techniques. Participants can either bring their own plastic bags or use those provided at the workshop. Participation is free.
2024 Youth Innovation Contest
The plastic art workshop is part of the 2024 Youth Innovation Contest: Collaborating to Improve and Protect our Planet (CIPP). It is organized by the International Centre for UNESCO ASPnet (ICUA) and the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE). UNESCO ASPnet (Associated Schools Network) is the world’s largest school network with over 12,000 educational institutions in 182 countries, promoting cultural interaction, sustainable development, and quality education.
The contest aims to inspire children and youth to create solutions for sustainability challenges, focusing on topics like terrestrial ecosystems, climate action, sustainable cities, and marine protection. This plastic art workshop emphasizes the theme of marine protection, encouraging participants to explore ways to preserve our oceans.
Photo/Video Release Permission
Since the plastic art workshop is part of the international Youth Innovation Contest, the winning works will be showcased to a global audience. Therefore, participants are asked for a photo/video release permission and should be prepared to briefly explain on video what their work represents and how it relates to marine protection and the collage theme. The artworks created in the workshop will be photographed, after which participants can take them home.
Virtual Art Exhibition at IloNovi
The artworks created in the workshop will also be displayed in a virtual art exhibition at IloNovi. IloNovi is a virtual house focused on promoting cultural well-being, where users can move and interact as avatars, similar to a computer game.
IloNovi’s Virtual Art Gallery Luovio. IMAGE: IloNovi
Workshop language
Guidance in the workshop will be available in Finnish, Italian, English, and Chinese.
Where?
The plastic art workshop will take place at Kera Hallit halls in Espoo, inside a fully equipped mobile plastic workshop located at Karamalmintie 2, 02630 Espoo. This workshop space is built inside a large white trailer, and offers a unique space for recycling activities. The trailer is positioned next to the halls, marked with a red location marker on the map below. You can park your car next to the plastic workshop. For detailed arrival instructions to Kera Halls, check here.
When?
Saturday, 28.09.2024. The workshop lasts 1.5 hours. Reserve your workshop time using the calendar below!
Note: Participants will be asked for photo/video release permission and should be ready to briefly explain on video what their artwork represents and how it relates to marine protection and the collage theme.