In the calendars of Apeejay Schools in Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, and Haldia, February 26th is a significant day. The highly anticipated Anand Art Workshop is held on this day at the Apeejay Anand Children’s Library, which is run by Apeejay Schools. In honor of Anand Paul, who was born on February 26, 1972, and tragically died in an accident in 1989, this event has been held yearly since 1993.

The workshop, which is in its 33rd year, provided a forum for aspiring artists to delve into the wide realm of creativity. This year’s theme, “The Ocean Speaks – Giving a Voice to Marine Life”, invited young artists, ages 9 to 12, to transform cloth bags into works of art that express optimism. In addition to stressing the urgent need to safeguard marine ecosystems from pollution, overfishing, and climate change, the workshop highlighted the idea that every storm eventually gives way to calm seas. The kids’ artwork showed how even modest efforts, like cutting back on plastic waste and using less water, can contribute to the preservation of ocean life.

All participants received stationery goodie bags, and the top three artworks from each location received Certificates of Honour and Gift Hampers. The event was held at Apeejay House Lawns and school campuses in Salt Lake, Haldia, and Bhubaneswar, as well as Apeejay Anand Libraries in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

Art can change people’s lives and inspire and heal. Giving every child the opportunity to explore the amazing world of imagination, dream, and express themselves through color, see the sparkle in their eyes, and feel that they too have an impact on the world—a world of make-believe, but more importantly, a world of hope through our children—is the goal of the Anand Paul Art Workshop.

Priyanka Dutta