International Youth Painting Colony

The youth exchange “International Youth Painting Colony” aims to bring together 25 youth from 5 different European countries and gave them the opportunity to work together as a team and feel the charm of rural life by exploring, discovering and painting different situation related to rural society and natural beauty of Istria landscapes. The youth exchange will take place in Brtonigla, a small municipality located in the northern part of the Istria region, Croatia, well known as a picturesque rural reality. In the past, Brtonigla was the summer destination for many artists who use to find inspiration in the rural charm and attend the Art Colonies organised every year by the local authorities. Many interesting works were exposed in the local Memorial gallery that unfortunately, year by year is falling into decay.
By implementing the International Youth Painting Colony, we intend to contribute to the revitalisation of a traditional appointment that in past brought together many art lovers. By bringing some simple fresh cultural and artistic content to a small rural area such as Brtonigla, we will open the doors of a Memorial Gallery built in 1898 and dedicated to the work of Zagreb-born sculptor and painter Aleksandar Rukavina (1934-85), who lived in Istria from the 1970s and who had a special connection to the Istrian area and people. In collaboration with local stakeholders (Municipality and the local Touristic Office), the memorial Gallery will host the works of the participants of the youth exchange that during six days of activities will picture/sculpture their impressions of rural Istria.

The main goals of the project are:
- Encourage personalized learning approaches by acquiring new artistic skills with the aim of developing new ideas and creativity of the participants involved in the project;
- to strengthen youth's intercultural competences in order to be ready for responsible understanding of Europe's identity and common values;
- to develop the European dimension through arts education and creativity with the aim to promote multiculturalism and tolerance between youth;
- To develop team building activities that will encourage mutual support, team building and group cohesion of the participants;

We will use below outlined methods:
- workshops
- role playing
- energizers
- ice-breaking games
- outdoor activities
- variety of painting techniques
- discussions and presentations
- wall painting
- small group exercises
- creative session