Documenting the Dreams of Homeless Children through Community-based Printmaking Art Workshops: A Case Study at Suwit Watnoo Homeless Center, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Community-based printmaking art workshops are made to share knowledge with homeless children at Suwit Watnoo Homeless Center, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok. The objectives of this research project are to (1) develop the printmaking skills of homeless children participating in the project, (2) document homeless children through the printmaking activities they engage in, as well as the printmaking creation process undertaken by the researcher. The sample population was selected by purposive sampling and consisted of eight children aged 12-17 years. The research utilized tools such as pre-and post-activity questionnaires, observations, and recording of the printmaking activities. These activities included (1) a one-time monoprint activity on the theme “a dream that I would like to draw”, (2) a foam printmaking activity for printing on cloth bags and shirts, and (3) activities to disseminate the creative works generated by the community, the children's printmaking art, and the researcher’s creations.

According to the results from organizing art teaching activities and conducting a questionnaire on satisfaction with participating in these activities, the average score regarding the children's group's knowledge about graphic arts before participating was 3 (moderate). After participating in all three activities, the score increased to 4.38 (good). Regarding gaining knowledge about printmaking art, it was rated at 4.63 (very good). The usefulness of the graphic arts activities was rated at 4.25 (good), and the usefulness of the printmaking activities to the community was rated at 4.38 (good). The overall satisfaction score was 4.13 (good), indicating a highly positive response to the artworks and other products created.