What might a happy tree look like? Can an animal be painted as brave, curious or calm? And what colours could express joy, sadness or excitement?
In this playful and imaginative workshop, children explore emotions through colour, shape and intuitive painting, creating expressive “faces of emotions” inspired by humans, animals and the natural world.
Moving away from realistic drawing, participants are encouraged to experiment freely and trust their imagination. A tree might have a peaceful face, an animal might burst with energy, or a human face might be painted in colours that simply feel joyful. There are no right or wrong answers — every interpretation is personal and unique.
Each child creates their own artwork, which then becomes part of a larger collaborative installation. When all the individual pieces come together, they create a vibrant shared landscape of emotions, connecting people, animals and plants through visual expression.
The workshop begins with a short creative warm-up and imaginative exercises before opening into a space for exploration, play and artistic freedom.
Participants will:
No previous artistic experience is needed — just curiosity and imagination.
Izabela Strzała
Artist | Painter | Muralist | Community Arts Facilitator
Izabela Strzała is a painter, muralist, Vedic Art teacher and community arts facilitator, she works with children, adults and older people, creating opportunities for creative expression and exploration.
Her artistic practice focuses primarily on acrylic and watercolour painting, drawing inspiration from nature, emotions, personal experiences and the world of imagination. Her work is characterised by vibrant colour, symbolism and an intuitive approach to the creative process.
Izabela is the founder of Avakuma Tuile and regularly delivers art workshops that encourage experimentation, imagination and freedom of expression rather than following predetermined models. She is particularly interested in making art accessible to people of all ages and using creativity as a way of connecting communities and building confidence.
Her work has been presented in individual and group exhibitions across Ireland, including exhibitions at Art D Gallery in Borrisokane, Moate, and Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, where she presented a nine-week solo exhibition in 2026. Her practice also includes murals and creative projects in public and community spaces.
Through projects such as Art Without Boundaries, Izabela works with older people in the Birr Nursing Unit, demonstrating that creativity and the desire to create have no age limit.
For the Polish Arts Festival 2026, Izabela will lead “Dream Mural”, a collaborative art workshop inviting children to transform their dreams and imagination into individual artworks that will come together to form one shared mural.
