The colourfully painted windows invite you to enter. The entire place radiates happiness, and the walls are covered with beautiful paintings and drawings made by children. No, this isnÂ’t Michael JacksonÂ’s living room, this is the Eden Art workshop on Vesterbrogade, a special place hidden in a small shopping arcade where Danish and English-speaking kids can come and learn about painting, drawing, and a variety of crafts.
On the tables there are all kinds of wonderful papier-mâché creations – our eyes are particularly drawn to some strange-looking stones painted like small fishes. Creativity is in the air, and most of it stems from the workshop’s founder and co-ordinator, Ines Honfi, who also teaches a course at Østerbro International School.
Originally from Buenos Aires in Argentina, she moved to Denmark five years ago, eleven years after graduating as an art teacher and painter at the Art Academy in Buenos Aires.
Last week, The Copenhagen Post caught up with her to find out more about her venture.
Where did you get the inspiration to make an art workshop for children?
Since I was little, I’ve been painting and drawing in my free time. Nature is my inspiration – the abundance of colours, shapes and textures has always fascinated me. This is what I convey to my little students – my love of nature and colours, and the transmission of positive and beautiful things through art. So when I graduated from the Art Academy in Buenos Aires almost 16 years ago, I decided to work with children and to create my own workshop for kids. After that I moved to Budapest, Hungary, and then destiny took me to Denmark, where I continue to teach art.
What is the concept behind Eden Art?
The concept is to offer a friendly atmosphere where kids can develop their creativity. I think it is important that they are allowed the freedom to express themselves spontaneously. There is a lot of emphasis on using their imagination. We decide the projects together, and I help and guide them to make their ideas come true. We have a lot of material at the workshop, so each class we do a different technique.
Which kind of techniques?
We do a lot of paintings using acrylics so kids can learn how to mix and combine colours. The older kids are more focused on drawing in a proportional way. They learn shadowing and other graphic techniques. We work a lot with papier-mâché. We also do wire sculptures, mosaics, etc.
Are you telling them what to draw or paint?
Each class, I suggest themes that we can fit around the technique. For example, if the technique of the day was wire sculpture, I would draw some examples to start their creative process. But if they come here with their own ideas, thatÂ’s very nice as well.
Which ages do you teach?
Normally, the students are between five and 16 years old, and the classes are open to all ages. The interaction between the ages is nice. While the older kids tend to do the harder techniques, there are times when one of the younger ones does something that makes everyone stand back in amazement.
WhatÂ’s the admission criteria?
The workshop is open to all kids who love to paint and draw. Eden Art is for all kids who want to express themselves though the visual arts. The important thing is their happiness doing something creative.
We know you participated in the ChildrenÂ’s Festival in June organised by The Copenhagen Post. How was that?
It was a great day – a real celebration. Ever since I moved to Denmark, I’ve been waiting for such an event. It was nice to meet with new people, new clubs and workshops. I myself signed up my own kids for lots of different activities.
Fact File | Eden Art workshop
Courses are held in both Danish and English from September until June on Mondays and Wednesdays from 15:00-17:00, and on Saturdays from 12:00-14:00.
Students can sign up at any time over the year. In June, Eden Art puts on an exhibition of the studentsÂ’ work created over the year.
The courses cost 400kr per month, which includes all of the materials, and there are normally five-ten students per class.
For more information visit their website or contact Ines directly on 4222 9074 or via ineshonfi@yahoo.com.
