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"THE SMILE PROJECT"™ SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, DRAWING DEMOS AND MURAL PROJECTS
For the past seven years, Bren Bataclan has been giving presentations about his "Smile Project"™ to elementary, junior high, high school and college students. "The Smile Project"™ involves the artist leaving his cartoon inspired acrylic paintings for folks to take for "free" across the country and around the world. The goal of Bren's street art project is: 1) To bring art to people who do not frequent art galleries and museums 2) To give paintings to folks who may not be able to afford original artwork 3) Discourage vandalism 4) And to spread happiness and joy.
Along with his talk about "The Smile Project,"™ Bren typically shows students how to draw his happy and whimsical characters. The first thing he mentions before showing students how to illustrate his creatures is how "easy it is to draw the characters" that he has been drawing since he was a kid. He emphasizes the fact that there is "not a right or wrong way to illustrate his creations." Students feel empowered as they effortlessly draw Bren's characters.
Schools also hire Bren to paint murals. What makes Bren's murals special is that he incorporates students' ideas and characters in the composition. Prior to painting the mural, Bren holds workshops for students where they brainstorm and illustrate characters based on a theme. Bren makes sure that each students' creations are incorporated in the mural. See mural samples >>>
Lastly, Bren can also show students how to do free "Smile Project"™ painting drop-offs in their communities or cities.
Bren Bataclan
25 Kelly Rd. #2
Cambridge, MA 02139
617.354.8040
www.bataclan.com
smileyb@bataclan.com
FEEDBACK
Bren has been presenting to the children of Harvard’s 25th Reunion for the past two years and they love him! Not only are his work and his philosophy on life amazing and uplifting, he is an exciting and entertaining presenter! Bren is an integral part of Harvard’s 25th Reunion Children’s Program roster of events and we look forward to working with him for years to come.
Gretchen Picken
Harvard
Children’s Program Coordinator
College Alumni Programs Office
My two elementary schools (k-5) have had the privilege and honor of having Bren Bataclan visit and it was a memorable experience for everyone! Bren began with a Powerpoint presentation about his artwork and how he began his career as an artist. His drawing demonstration captivated the the audience and the students absolutely loved being able to draw along with Bren who gave encouragement to the young artists. Bren has the unique ability to connect with the students and they were truly engaged throughout his entire visit. It is not an easy task to keep the attention of hundreds of students but Bren made it look easy. He has a great rapport with the students and staff and we were sad to see him go. Months later, the students still talk about Bren Bataclan, "the real artist" who visited our school and they all want him to come back next year!
Carolyn Kinniery >>>
art specialist k-5
Hansen Elementary School
South Elementary School
Stoughton,MA
Bren's talk empowered our students and showed them that you can follow your dream. It was an inspiration for myself as well as the faculty and students attending. He showed students how to engage with artwork while making it fun and approachable.
Steven Pirrello, Curator
Harbor Art Gallery, UMass Boston
I would recommend having artist Bren Bataclan work with students and teachers in your school. Bren came to Alaska in the spring, when 5 miles of roadway was being rerouted. We were able to coordinate his visit with the Department of Transportation foreman so that Bren could ride through the construction zone. He then had to complete a short hike back to the road. Needless to say, Bren is a trooper and very flexible! Once he arrived at our national recognized Blue Ribbon school, Bren provided general art information, demonstrations, and guided art instruction. During his short time here, Bren made bonds with several students. They have exchanged letters and artwork. Now one year later, we still have teachers and students talking about his visit and drawing pictures in his unique style.
David Kingsland, Principal
Seward Elementary School
Seward, Alaska
Bren has brightened the hallways and schoolyards of several of the schools I have worked at over the years. While his art work certainly brightens the atmosphere, it is Bren's personality and love of art that is the true gift from working with him on these projects. The kids light up when Bren works with them in the classroom and they are so enthusiastic when they work with him on the murals around the school. His incorporates their ideas, their art work and their spirit in his murals. Both the Trotter and Washington School were lucky to work with Bren on a number of mural projects.
Matthew C. Stahl, Principal
Washington Elementary School
795 Wilder Street
Lowell, MA 01851
Moody Elementary School
158 Rogers Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Bren’s presentation well portrayed the wide scope of his work and encouraging message behind his art. The hands-on portion of his workshop was entirely engaging for all of the children, students, and parents involved.
Joseph Ha
Tufts University Filipino Cultural Society (FCS)
Community Service Chair
We loved having Bren at Jackson to complete the Massachusetts wall mural with the third graders. After watching a DVD about the Smile project, students worked with Bren to create their own images for the mural. Then Bren designed the mural incorporating every student’s illustration. Students absolutely loved watching their ideas come to life as Bren shared each step of the mural project with them. We had a big celebration when the painting was complete. It was definitely one of the high points of our school year.
Lorraine Leo
Jackson Elementary School
Newton, MA
"For the past few years, Newton North's Asian Culture Club has been incredibly fortunate to have had Bren come and visit our school for our annual Asian Culture Day. Each time, Bren has brought a fresh, engaging, and exciting presentation, using a combination of his personal stories and multimedia. I know that our students--and staff members-- are always eager to have him visit, and that they get a lot out of what he has to share."
Michele Leong, English Teacher
Newton North High School
Newton, MA
Bren Bataclan’s lecture series in the Whitman Hanson Regional School District was absolutely wonderful! He was engaging, informative and entertaining when speaking to both high school students and fourth grade students. My high school students were extremely interested in his insights about the business end of making it as an artist, as well as his artwork. Students, young and old, loved watching him draw and having the chance to create characters along with him. It is refreshing to learn about a street artist with such a positive message and legal approach. The whimsical nature of his work captivated and inspired students of all ages.
Chris Maher
Lead Art Teach
Whitman Hanson Regional School District
From the moment Bren Bataclan walked into our school to work with our art club and visual art electives we wanted to keep him forever. His ability to immediately capture the audience with his amazing story shared through video, lecture and interactive drawing sessions was life changing for all in attendance. We couldn’t stop smiling and wanted more. We commissioned a unique three panel canvas incorporating Bren’s redesign of the characters drawn from the sessions with our art students. Our school couldn’t keep Bren forever but we do have a truly remarkable and stunningly keepsake which makes us smile every day.
Marla Turlington
Hunter Elementary PTA President 2009-2010
Bren provided a great source of inspiration for us with his presentation, showing us what you can accomplish when you choose to persevere and follow your dreams.
Allistair Mallillin
Tufts University
Bren Bataclan presented his Smile Project to my 5th grade art classes, much to their delight. They were completely engaged during his hands on demonstration, after his demonstration, and are still excited by his work a year later! Bataclan has become a local celebrity within our school community.
Aimee Laplante
Morse Art Teacher
www.morsearts.wordpress.com
Having been part of the Natick Cultural Arts Committee for 18 years, I have experienced many amazing and inspiring enrichment programs in the Natick schools. After a program we often receive verbal thanks from the staff or parents, and sometimes a handwritten or drawn thank you from a class. In 2005, Bren’s visit to the Natick High art class left such an impression that the class created their own “Bren-inspired” characters riding on a school bus and then presented vibrantly colored paintings to Bren and our committee as a thank you. Bren’s message of generosity and joy in art had definitely hit its mark with the students.
Karen Leese
Natick Cultural Arts Committee Chair
Colleges and Universities:
Rollins College
Boston University >>>
UMass Boston >>>
Harvard >>>
Tufts >>>
Boston College >>>
Northeastern University
Lasalle College >>>
Lesley University
UMass Amherst
Boston Center for Adult Education >>>
Elementary to High Schools:
North Yarmouth Academy. Yarmouth, ME
The Wealthy Elementary School. Grand Rapids, MI
Hunter Elementary School. Raleigh, NC
Claret School. Manila, Philippines
Seward Elementaty School. Seward, AL
The Learning Place. Boston, MA
Newton South High School. Newton, MA
Newton North High School. Newton, MA
Natick High School. Natick, MA
Trotter Elementary School. Boston, MA
Washington School. Lowell, MA
Hansen School. Stoughton, MA
Swampscott High School. Swampscott, MA
South Elementary High School. Stoughton, MA
Morse School. Cambridge, MA
Happy Hollow School. Wayland, MA
Fenway High School. Boston, MA
Whitman Hanson Regional High School. Whitman, MA
Duvall Elementary School. Whitman, MA
Peabody Terrace Children's Center. Cambridge, MA
Please contact Bren info and rates:
Bren Bataclan
Smile Boston Project
25 Kelly Rd. #2
Cambridge, MA 02139
617.354.8040
www.bataclan.com
smileyb@bataclan.com