Children at the art workshop in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, April 23: Child artists are expressing their imagination on the canvas and in various other forms of media at art classes.

The special summer classes are to transform into an exclusive art camp called “Fine Heart” from May 1.

Already about 20 child artists are brushing up their creative skills with the guidance of professionals, who are qualified artists in the fields of painting, traditional art forms, paper mache, terracotta and so on. The little campers are finding the art workshop helpful in building the self-confidence as well as creative excellence. Much more is in store for the coming two months, said camp organiser Tarakant Parida.

“We have just begun training in painting and a few crafts. But from May, many more kids will join to learn various crafts such as palm leaf painting, marble painting, glass painting, terracotta, paper mache, pottery, tribal painting and pattachitra, each of which will be taught by an expert,” said Parida.

The kids are seen having fun learning the crafts from expert artists such as Parida, Chitra Patnaik, Madhumita Barik, Shatrughan Meher, Ramesh Mudali and Manas Das. The classes are held in two shifts during the day. Many kids are regular at the annual summer art camp.

“It is a lot of fun to create something beautiful out of waste or on plain canvas or paper. The best part is that we are given freedom to draw or make crafts the way we want and with the designs and colours of our choice,” said Trupti, a 12-year-old camper.

Guardians, too, believe that the camp is the best way to boost the artistic talent of their kids during the long summer vacations.

“Often teachers advise us to let children be trained in something that they enjoy, rather than pressurising them. Colours and art are something that, when given the right freedom, can prove to be a great stress buster for kids. Also, it makes them articulate and convey their thoughts freely,” said Snehaprava, mother of a six-year-old art learner at the camp.