Project Art Works ran summer art workshops for young autistic children aged 4-8 at Torfield School Hastings during August 2002. The aim of the project was to research ways of working with children within the autistic spectrum to encourage engagement and interaction through creative activities.

Project Art Works provided a temporary, outdoor space in the playground where the workshops took place with a link to the school classrooms. The workshops focused on designing, constructing, painting and filming temporary structures and spaces in which the children felt comfortable and able to operate.

Many children within the autistic spectrum are extremely sensitive to their surroundings, which can sometimes affect their behaviour and ability to focus.

Project Art Works researched the design and development of a flexible construction system and purchased a geodesic dome for use as a temporary workshop space for this and future projects. The Torfield School summer project was the first to make use of this wonderful structure. Project Art Works is currently devising other projects to make use of the dome as a temporary workshop space.

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