Fostering Creativity Through Inktober At UISG

OVERVIEW

At Utahloy International School Guangzhou (UISG), we believe in empowering our students to unleash their creative potential. One of the ways we do this is through our annual participation in the global Inktober challenge. This year, our entire school community, from early years to secondary, came together to celebrate the power of artistic expression through this month-long event. Inktober is a worldwide art challenge started in 2009 by artist Jake Parker. The premise is simple – create one ink drawing every day for the 31 days of October. What began as a personal endeavor to improve Parker’s inking skills has blossomed into a global movement, with artists of all ages and skill levels joining in to explore their creativity. For UISG, Inktober is more than just a drawing challenge – it’s an opportunity to foster a vibrant artistic community and inspire our students to discover their inner artists.

EARLY YEARS

Inktober is an annual event that encourages people of all ages to engage in daily drawing practice, and this year we made sure our early years students had the opportunity to join in the fun.

Drawing and mark-making are essential components of early childhood education. They not only help develop fine motor skills, but also encourage creativity, self-expression, and a love for the arts. That is why we were so excited to incorporate the Inktober drawing prompts into our daily morning routine.

Each day, our students were inspired by the daily prompts, which ranged from simple shapes and objects to more age-appropriate imaginative themes. Using ink pens, markers, and other drawing tools, they brought these prompts to life in their own unique ways.

Nurturing a love for the arts from a young age is crucial for a child’s overall development. Inktober has been an invaluable tool in achieving this goal. I encourage all parents and educators to consider incorporating similar daily drawing challenges into their children’s routines. You’ll be amazed at the creativity and growth that can blossom when young minds are given the freedom to explore the world through the power of art.

Cindy-Anne Doubell

PRIMARY SCHOOL

UISG Primary Celebrates Inktober 2024: A Journey of Creativity and Growth

Inktober 2024 at UISG was a vibrant celebration of creativity and commitment among our students, who participated in a month-long daily drawing challenge using ink. This international event promoted healthy artistic habits and aligned with the IB Primary Years Program principles, encouraging students to actively engage in their learning and embody IB learner profiles such as resilience and open-mindedness.

UISG Participants created ink drawings based on a daily word, which helped them enhance their artistic skills and expand their English vocabulary. The process nurtured responsibility and teamwork, as students took care of their drawing spaces and earned points for their houses. Their extraordinary creativity and stamina in drawing every day were commendable, leading to a special display of selected works and a collaborative sketchbook that showcased all entries.

Inktober 2024 served as a valuable learning opportunity, allowing students to explore their passions and celebrate their contributions. The Utahloy International school community extends gratitude to all participants and supporters, celebrating the success and enthusiasm of our young artists.

Karen Mead and Tia Smith

SECONDARY SCHOOL

During the recent Inktober event, secondary students eagerly visited the Inktober booth set up in the school atrium. The booth was open during both morning and lunch recesses, giving students ample opportunity to get involved. Students were encouraged to creatively interpret the daily prompts through drawing and sketching. The prompts ranged from simple objects to more abstract concepts, allowing students to tap into their imagination and artistic abilities. Many students could be seen huddled around the tables, pencils and pens in hand, as they brought the prompts to life on paper.

The vibrant and diverse artwork created by the participating students was a testament to their creativity and engagement with the Inktober challenge. Teachers and staff were impressed by the level of enthusiasm and the quality of the student-generated artwork. The Inktober proved to be a popular and enriching addition to the classroom subject activities, fostering artistic expression and community among the secondary student body.