The students of the “Beit LeBanim” boys’ boarding school, a unique social institution of the Jewish Community of Dnipro intended for children from at-risk families, took part in a creative workshop on making decorative items from epoxy resin. The boys became acquainted with an unusual artistic technique that makes it possible to create original pictures and clocks, and tried their hand at bringing their own creative ideas to life.
Epoxy resin is a synthetic material developed back in the 1930s, which has long been used in industry. However, in recent decades it has become widespread in decorative and applied arts as well, where an entire direction has even emerged – resin art. Thanks to the properties of epoxy resin, artists can create diverse compositions, combine colors, achieve unusual visual effects, and obtain durable items with a smooth, glossy surface. Working in this technique opens broad possibilities for artistic experimentation, enabling each author to create their own, unique work.
During the workshop, the boarding school students could independently choose what exactly they wanted to make. Some decided to create decorative pictures, while others preferred making clocks, combining artistic creativity with the creation of a useful object. Thus, the boys received the opportunity not only to become acquainted with a new technique but also to express their individuality, independently define a creative task, and work on its realization.
“Such activities have important educational value – they develop artistic taste, spatial thinking, attention to detail, precision, and the ability to plan a sequence of actions. And it is especially important that a child receives the opportunity to see the result of their own labor and to be convinced that even a material unfamiliar before can become a means for expressing their ideas and imagination. For it is precisely such impressions and practical skills that help students discover new abilities in themselves, broaden their range of interests, and gain confidence in their own strength,” noted Rabbi David Vaskovsky, director of the “Beit LeBanim” boys’ boarding school. “And we are glad that we can create such opportunities for our boys thanks to the constant care and support of the united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
