Stories Behind the Canvas: Children’s Masterpieces
by Aadya Bommineni, Aradhna Praveen, and Shriya Shaji
This month we spoke to artist Shrita Palla, a sophmore and founder of the nonprofit organization Together We Shine. Through her organization, she partnered with a school in India to share Madhubani art with children with special needs.
Q&A Section with Shrita
How did you come across this opportunity?
“I came across this opportunity through my past experience, as I had conducted a similar event on my last trip to India. I talked to heads of schools for children with disabilities, and found many eager for an event like this.”
Did you have prior experience working with children? How did that help you conduct this workshop?
“I am the founder of the nonprofit organization Together We Shine, which creates inclusive spaces and social groups for children with special needs. Through running this organization, I’ve had extensive experience working directly with children with special needs. This background definitely helped me conduct the workshop because I’ve learned how to engage children at different levels, keep their attention with interactive activities, and adapt when something doesn’t go as planned. Having that prior experience gave me the confidence to connect with the kids and ensure the workshop was both fun and meaningful.”
What were some of your most memorable moments or interactions?
“What was most memorable to me was walking in the room at first and seeing their faces light up at the sight of us. They were all elated to try madhubani art. It was also extremely memorable to see their skill; as I walked by, I saw so many wonderful paintings borne of obvious experience.”
What were some challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
“We had a lot of prep work go into the workshop, but it was difficult to communicate with the students. Some students were mute, some deaf, and I struggled to communicate with all of them clearly across cultural and communication lines. However, I was able to communicate well in the end with gestures and symbols. Art transcends communication.”
What inspired you to choose to conduct a workshop on the activity that you did?
“I was inspired to conduct a workshop on a painting of a Madhubani bird since we were teaching it to older students who could have had experience with art. I wanted them to have freedom to come up with their own colors and patterns. The Madhubani bird was a complete artwork, with a measured border and flowers.”
Would you recommend others to conduct workshops as you have? Can you touch on some tips that you would give to others in your position?
“Yes, I would absolutely recommend others to conduct workshops like this. Workshops are a wonderful way to share knowledge, connect with children, and make a direct impact in the community. My biggest tips would be:
Plan, but stay flexible – It’s important to have a clear outline of your activity, but also be ready to adjust based on the children’s energy and interest levels.
Keep it interactive – Children engage best when they can participate hands-on rather than just listen. Activities that involve movement, creativity, or teamwork are especially effective.
Be patient and encouraging – Every child learns differently, so creating a positive and supportive environment makes all the difference.
Reflect after the workshop – Think about what went well and what could be improved, so the next time you can make it even better.
Overall, conducting workshops is not only rewarding for the kids but also for you—you learn just as much from them as they do from you.
