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This is a special space – one where the team of teachers, staff, children, alumni, partners and customers use their colours, shiny sequins and pompoms to talk about their art ideas, stories, triumphs as well as challenges. This is the voice of Art for Akanksha.

These are a few of my favourite things

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“I have so many favourite Art for Akanksha objects – my stole, the water bottle, a tray table! So it’s hard to pick just one. I have finally narrowed it down to the thing that gets used by all of us and is a part of our memories now – the gorgeous Art for Akanksha bench. It’s a source of acrobatic performances with my kids, a place to keep my chai while I read a book on the sofa, a place for extra butts when we have too many people; and always a conversation piece! It’s totally an object of desire and I am so glad I gave into temptation and bought it when I had no clue where I would keep it at home!”

Nidhi Ramachandran – an AfA customer

Art for Akanksha benches: Rs.2500 onwards

Size: 36”x12”x18” (height)

Available at the Art for Akanksha office. Call us at 65246333 to get a customised bench done!

Product feature: Sari extravaganza at Art for Akanksha

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It’s raining saris at the Art Shop! Bring in your weekend with glimpses of these gorgeous and beautifully crafted saris. With unique designs to choose from, pre-book your favourite design now! Call us for more information at 022-65246333.

Product details-

Price: Rs.7000

Digitally printed on Chanderi fabric; comes with blouse piece

Delivery within 10-15 days

 

Going Cubic with Picasso - Art for Akanksha at Kalaghoda

Art, a Social Leveler

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Picasso installation by Art for Akanksha students awarded third place at the Kala Ghoda

The tall, colorful, almost bizarre Picasso installation blends in beautifully amongst the many at the Kala Ghoda festival. There are installations on Andy Warhol, Zakhir Husain, Brinda Miller, Henri Rousseau and many others. As you walk by these pieces of art, you’re blown away with what children can do, what art can do for children and what schools can do if they believe in the power of art for their children.

What you don’t really think of seeing are the placards next to each which proudly say who’s created them. If you looked at those you’d realize what an incredible social leveler art can be. Within that little garden of the Prince of Wales museum, you have some of the most privileged schools along with government schools. And you’d never be able to guess which belonged to which.

It makes me believe even more strongly in the power of art, it makes me believe what we have always believed at Akanksha – children are essentially the same, they only differ in the opportunities that they have access to.

As I got calls and emails congratulating us for getting third place for our Picasso installation, I felt proud of my Akanksha children and teachers because they can do anything they set their minds to. Resources matter and make a difference, but belief, determination and passion is what will always make that bizarre, tall, wildly colored Picasso stand out. So proud!

Ruchi

Director, Art for Akanksha

Raza Square and Circles

Raza – Squares and Circles

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“I cannot understand Raza’s art but I have learnt that it is alright to not always understand things.” Suraj

SH Raza was fascinating to study because there was so much to understand and so much that was left to the students to interpret and make their own. It left students with the sense that no matter how they saw a piece of art, it was right – what was important was that they tried to connect it to their lives and to find meaning for themselves.

Like Suraj said, you can’t always ‘get it’ when you see a piece of art; so much of the story is left for you to interpret.

Artists of Abhyudaya Mumbai Public School – an MCGM school run in partnership with the Akanksha Foundation

 

Visit the Prince of Wales Museum gardens and send in your pictures with the Art for Akanksha installations at art@akanksha.org!

Picasso Art work

Going Cubic with Picasso – AFA at Kalaghoda

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“Picasso wanted to do something different. So he came up with Cubism. Cubism was totally different from what the artists before Picasso had ever painted.” Says Rohit.

This installation has been all about having fun while learning about Cubism and specifically the life and works of Pablo Picasso.

The disjointed elements of this piece of art were a riot to put together! And it was a great opener for discussions around ‘What is art?’ Who decides what is good art?

We don’t have the answers but as a group, the students got thinking about them.

This is a labour of love by the children of Shindewadi Mumbai Public School

To know what Picasso taught Rohit do visit the Prince of Wales Museum gardens. Send in your pictures with the installation at art@akanksha.org and keep watching this space for more updates on other masterpieces by the Akanksha children. We look forward to your comments!

Art for Akanksha installation at Kalaghoda Fest 2015

Art for Akanksha installations at the Kalaghoda Festival 2015

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Van Gogh – an exploration

‘Van Gogh was brilliant but no one liked his paintings. But he kept painting. I liked that.’ Chiran, 15 years old

The Akanksha children studied the great artists and found that there was something that moved and touched them about their stories and their art. Vincent Van Gogh was one of those artists. A small group of Akanksha children spent many a weekend trying to express the impact that he had on their lives.

They spent hours trying to get the textures right and to come together as a group while really working on their pieces individually. ‘We made many errors and had to re-do sections but like Van Gogh we did not give up and worked hard,’ says Chiran.

Chiran, Ruby, Kajal, Bhageshree, Lucky, Sameer, Anil, Rahul &Priti are Akanksha’s little artists who worked on this installation.

Watch this space for more updates on the other masterpieces by the Akanksha children. You can see them all at the Prince of Wales Museum gardens starting today! Do send in your fun pictures with the installations at art@akanksha.org. We look forward to your comments!

Product feature: Floor Poufs

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Here’s a cosy, comfortable and cool product for your home that you would love to own! The Art for Akanksha square and circular floor poufs come in unique designs.

Price: Rs.1600

Size: Square – 18”x18”; 5” height; Circular – 18” diameter; 5” height

First 10 buyers get 20% off! (Shipping charges Rs.100 additional.)

Click here to buy – https://www.artforakanksha.org/product-category/home/page/2/

Or call us at 65246333 to place your order now!

These are a few of my favourite things

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“The Art for Akanksha design crate is perfect for any kids room. My daughter absolutely loves putting and pulling out her toys from it. It’s a great way to teach kids to clean up and have fun while keeping the clutter of toys to a minimum. We love it! Thank you Akanksha.”

Niksha Bhide – an A4A customer

Art for Akanksha Storage Crates: Rs.1800/ Rs.1500

Size: 21”x13”x15”

Size: 18”x12.5”x12”

Available at the Art for Akanksha office. Call us at 65246333 to place your order now!