The January Challenge (with 64 million artists)
We are always looking for new opportunities to try and support the health and well-being of all SCMH members, and we’ve come up with what might seem like something of a curve ball here, but bear with us, and we hope you won’t be disappointed for giving it a go!
Please have a look https://64millionartists.com/thejanuarychallenge/
We want as many staff and students as possible, willing to take part in the January Challenge over the course of that month. January can be a long month after the excitement of December and associated events/activities. So, why not take 10-30 min out of your day, at a time that suits you, to try and find your inner creative self. The team at 64 million artists came up with the January Challenge and this will be the 10th year it has run.
Essentially, there is a daily challenge for each day in January. We are not asking you to do them all – please do as many or as few as you want, and they needn’t be done on each particular day if you are a bit late getting to one. But what we want to try and see is both a feeling of wellbeing from each taking a little “me” time and also to build community as we take on these challenges as a school. We can share experiences using social media platforms or through our channels we will set up to support those taking part.
Let us know what challenges you will be doing. we will add your name to the below to let others know you are taking part and we can all support each other:
Social Media
We ask that anyone taking part and posting about this on social media include the hashtags:
#SCMH_TJC (the SCMH-specific one to allow us to keep track)
#TheJanuaryChallenge (so you can see what others elsewhere are doing).
If you are not on social media then don’t worry, you can still share your contributions by emailing these to us and they will be added to posts from the Schools accounts.
We want everyone to be able to take part.
We are coming together for some of the challenges!
Meet us @ GCRC - Rm 222
(Challenge hub)
5th Jan @ 10:30am
16th Jan @ 15:00pm
Challenge No 16&22! - Tell me something about the family & High Five
24th Jan @ 11:30am
Challenge No 24! - Playing with paint
2nd Feb @ 10am (Reflection)
We will be showcasing our activities on Social Media
#SCMH_TJC
#TheJanuaryChallenge
SUBMIT YOUR CHALLENGE HERE
TO APPEAR ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
Illustrations by Sam Ailey: www.samailey.co.uk
The Challenges
Below we have listed each challenge and to support each other, you can also see who is taking part!
1. A little bit of Me
2. Draw without fear
Find a piece of paper, the larger the better; and a pen, pencil or anything that will make a mark. Hold the pencil and put it somewhere on the paper. Now close your eyes.
Draw without thinking about what you're drawing. Perhaps you'll be inspired by something you hear, or by your own thoughts, or by the texture of the paper. When you feel ready put down your pencil and open your eyes. Try not to judge your art. Just look at it as you would a young child's drawing.
What can you see? How do you feel? What story does it tell?
TAKING PART:
Christmas Quiz attendees!
3. First Impressions
4. In Common
Find out something you've got 'In Common' with somebody older or younger than you. You might work with a friend, or family member, or colleague, or perhaps you don't know them yet. Perhaps you speak online, on the phone, in a shop or in a cafe.
Perhaps the person you have in mind is a character in a book or film who you have connected with in some way. They might be older or younger than you by decades, years, months, weeks, hours or minutes....
TAKING PART:
5. Hello
Add a face to an everyday object. Imagine the background story of the character you have created.
Come and join us on 5th Jan - GCRC rm 222 @ 10:30 am & we will do this together!
TAKING PART:
Meeting attendees!
6. Glorious
Choose an object around you - any object, from a coffee cup to a pen. Perhaps it is your object from yesterday! Take two minutes to glorify that object. Write or speak your 'ode' to that object, like it's the greatest and best thing that you have ever known.
TAKING PART:
7. Found it First
11. Sign Names
To do our sign names, we just use our fingers, hand, and arms and only within the space from the top of our heads to our shoulders.
My challenge is called ‘Sign names’. Deaf culture is rich and varied and often you will notice that sign names are used within the Deaf community. Sign Names are unique and personal and it is a way to identify someone without finger spelling out their name using British Sign Language (BSL). These sign names can often reflect the person's character or their appearance or their personality.
It has to be unique to yourself. Maybe a memory that is very personal to you or something that you do.
For example, your sign name could be about your appearance, your name that might be unusual or something you are very passionate about like a hobby or a sporting activity. For example, if your name is Natasha you may want to imagine that your sign name is a moustache (which sounds like Natasha) or if your name is Peter Bell then perhaps your sign name could gesture yourself ringing a bell or if you love playing the piano, then imagine that you are playing the piano which could be your sign name. Help each other out if you are unsure.
If you know someone who is deaf, ask them for advice. If you are deaf - share your name with us.
Remember, it is important you cannot officially give yourself a sign name until you meet someone from the deaf community, and it is agreed by that person that will be your unique sign name! So, next time you meet a deaf person, ask them if they would like to learn your sign name. Once you officially have your sign name …think of it as a ‘rite of passage’ showing your inclusion and being an ally to the Deaf community.
TAKING PART:
12. Imperfect Creations
Use a spillage, stain, tear, or something 'imperfect' to inspire your creativity. You could write a haiku about the stain on the floor, add a smiling face to a coffee ring stain, or use a tear to inspire some embroidery. If you can't find anything - splash a small amount of cold tea onto some scrap paper. Let it dry and let the shapes inspire a doodle.
TAKING PART:
14. I can sing a rainbow
Whilst colourful singing is on your mind! Write down a list of songs that connect in some way to the theme of 'colour'. Perhaps you take the time to listen to the song, read the lyrics, sing your heart out
Add your song to SCMH Menti: Link to be provided
TAKING PART:
Air Presentation attendees!
15. Creative Rest
16. Tell me something about Family
This challenge is inspired by 'Tell me something about Family' as part of the Brighton Festival 2021.
So I’m creating one from the inside, that connects us from across the globe. And it all starts with you - and your light. I want your answer to one heartfelt question - that you might tell me something about family. You can do it anonymously if you like, but your spark will shine and we will illuminate the planet with stories, phrases and sayings about family.
It doesn’t have to be positive, doesn’t have to be negative. Don’t worry if your mind goes blank……..mine does!
Tell me something, anything - memories, things you’ve learned, the smells, the feels, the touch, the sound of home. It could be written in the form of a letter, you could write one line, or ten pages! The more specific the better. And when you’ve done. Share, if you like.
In January, check 64millionartists.com for a place to share your ‘something’ with Lemn. Or, keep it for you.
Come and join us on 16th Jan - GCRC rm 222 @ 3pm & we will do this together!
TAKING PART:
Coffee Morning attendees!
17. 4 inch collage
Create a 4 inch (roughly!) square of paper. Layer scraps of material or different types of paper to create a collage. Fix your collage in place or keep it movable by simply layering the materials. If you have more time, choose materials that remind you, in some way, of your culture or traditions.
TAKING PART:
18. Geiriau newydd
Geiriau newydd - new words. Choose a word that is meaningful to you. Write it down in your 'mother tongue' - your first language. Now, learn how to say that word in a totally new language. You could use Google, books or conversation to learn how to say or sign that word. Combine the two words to create one new word. Share your new word, and we'll create the 64 Million Artists dictionary of new words!
TAKING PART:
19. (re)imagine
“We often think I wish things could be different, this challenge is showing you that in small ways things can be different depending on how you look at them, even if they are familiar to you."
Reimagine, rename or repurpose something around you, that is familiar, or that brings you joy.
TAKING PART:
20. Pranayama
"Practice the simple breathing technique 'pranayama'. Pranayama is breathing consciously and paying attention to the breath, which is something we can take for granted as it automatically happens. There are many types of pranayama - you could simply sit and focus on your breath, in and out, for a few moments. Or, you could try alternate nostril breathing.
"Notice how you feel. In my experience, your mind will be calmer and more centered."
TAKING PART:
22. High Five
Draw around your hand, or draw the shape of a hand. Take a couple of moments to reflect on your day, or the world around you right now. Within your hand shape, write down or doodle, three things that please you.
Come and join us on 16th Jan - GCRC rm 222 @ 3pm & we will do this together!
TAKING PART:
Meeting attendees!
23. Capture the day
Choose something that you see or experience most days. Capture that thing at different points throughout your day - in a photograph, doodle, describing words or simply by noticing it. If you would like to - capture that thing every day for the rest of the week, or the rest of January.
TAKING PART:
24. Playing with 'Paint'
You'll need some card or paper (I use a bit of cardboard box), and something fluid that leaves a mark (you can be creative with what you use as your 'paint'.)
You'll also need something to spread the paint, like a palette knife, stiff card, a ruler or your fingers!
A very general idea of a loose composition is useful, I went for a landscape. Start applying the paint thickly not worrying about any fine details. I find it easier to work from top to bottom.
Next is manipulating the paint - the torn edge of scrap paper is useful to press and drag on the paint. Make more marks if it needs finessing. I also use this when I have paint left over and I am always saving scraps of paper or card. Sometimes I use what I have created for a greeting card. The activity is about having fun and moving colour about. The artists I mentor began with this technique and are now off in all sorts of creative directions.
Come and join us on 24th Jan - GCRC rm 222 @ 11:30 am & we will do this together!
TAKING PART:
Meeting attendees!
25. CALM
"We'd love to challenge you to brighten up someone's day. Can you think of someone whose day you can make a little better? Think of something they'd like to see, hear or experience. With that we also want you to let them know CALM's resources are there for them and anyone in their lives too.
Tell a mate something that you think about them. Don't wait to say something nice about them. Create something and tell them."
TAKING PART:
26. A stitch in time
Mend something that is broken. Perhaps you've been meaning to mend an object you own - and this is the time to fix it with sellotape or a stitch. Perhaps you take the time to plan a bigger fix, or perhaps you reflect on how you can help mend something else that has been on your mind.
TAKING PART:
29. You've got skills
30. To the Future
Read or listen to the following meditation, guided by Suhaiyla.
"Allow your body to get into a comfortable position that feels natural for you. Gently close your eyes and place your hands softly on your stomach. Notice how your stomach naturally expands and fills with air as you breathe. We’re not forcing or pushing our breath - we’re just allowing and noticing. Pay attention to how your breath feels as it moves through your body. If you are experiencing any tightness of tension in any parts of the body, breathe into them and release that tension through the breath. On your next inhale, you’re going to take the deepest breath you’ve taken all year - wide mouth - exhale. And when you’re ready, gently open your eyes."
Now, pick up something two write with. Spend a few minutes ‘writing to the future’ - pen a letter to the future you, noting something that your grateful to have experienced this month. Keep your letter safe, email it to yourself, give it to a friend to give back to you, or hide it away.
Liv and Suhaiyla will be hosting a live, online meditation and writing workshop on Monday 30th January. Check back at 64millionartists.com for details on how to join in.
Resources and a postbox will be available in the level 2 kitchen (GCRC) closer to the date, keep an eye out for it!
TAKING PART:
Lorraine, Josie, Katie, Tracy, Wendy and Sara!
We will be showcasing our activities on Social Media
Use the Hashtags:
#SCMH_TJC
#TheJanuaryChallenge
SUBMIT YOUR CHALLENGE HERE
TO APPEAR ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
Illustrations by Sam Ailey: www.samailey.co.uk