How a Starry Night Painting Workshop Helped Students Discover Hope Through Creativity
What happens when students are invited to see their lives through the lens of creativity?
At I AM ART Camp at CEIVA School, a four-day painting workshop offered students a space to explore that question through art, reflection, and faith.
Led by Grace Christian Academy teacher Mollie Bozarth, the workshop brought together 14 participants, including CEIVA high school students, a CEIVA teacher, a Guatemalan volunteer Vivi Rodas, and GCA students Gabriella Casias and Culley Fidler.
Finding Inspiration in the Night Sky
The workshop began with a study of Vincent van Gogh’s famous painting The Starry Night. Students observed the swirling movement of the sky, the vibrant colors, and the emotion that made the painting so powerful.
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:4–5
Art That Reflects Personal Stories
Students were encouraged to make the paintings personal. Some echoed elements of Van Gogh’s composition, while others imagined scenes inspired by their own lives and surroundings.
Another student shared that she didn’t usually think of herself as an artist. As the painting developed, she discovered confidence and joy in the creative process.
Exploring Brokenness Through Art
On the second day of the workshop, students explored the theme “I Am Broken.” Participants were asked to paint using only dark colors.
Later in the week, color returned to the paintings. Light emerged across the canvas, mirroring the deeper message of the workshop: darkness may be part of our story, but it does not get the final word.
The Heart of I AM ART
Through artistic exploration, collaborative learning, and faith-centered reflection, students discovered that creativity can help them process life honestly while recognizing hope in difficult seasons.
This is the heart of the Athentikos mission: using creativity, faith, and community to help people recognize their value and discover purpose.
Support the I AM ART Mission
Workshops like this are made possible through supporters who believe in the power of creativity to transform lives.