The Two Halves Drawing Project by AccessArt

What Is the AccessArt "two halves" postcard project?

• Background to the Project

  In 2017 AccessArt ran the “Two Halves” Postcard Project in which we invited individuals and schools to take part in a brand new participatory project.

  The idea behind the project was that schools would buy postcards for their pupils, and pupils would make a drawing in one half of the cards, return the cards to AccessArt. We then sent a second set of postcards back to the school so that pupils could make a second drawing in response to a drawing made by another pupil in another school. 

  The project encourages children (and adults) to engage with drawing in a new way and to understand how their drawings are “read” by others and how they can be inspired by, and make a visual response to, other people’s drawings.

  You can see the postcards we have received back from schools in the Two Halves Project gallery pages here. 

  We are pleased to announce the AccessArt “Two Halves” Postcard Project is now available for schools to run locally, in their own school. All the resources you need to do so are available to download via this page. 

• Who Is The Project For?

  The project is suitable for pupil’s of all ages from 5 to 18 and for adults too. You can use the project in schools, museums, galleries, community organisations and private workshops.

  You might use the project in the classroom, or as part of art week, or even as part of other projects such as the Big Draw (if you do so, please acknowledge AccessArt’s role in the project).

  You might even like to involve teachers and parents…

• Where & When Might You Run The Project

  This is entirely up to you. You can run the project at a time and place which suits you. You just download the printable postcard, take inspiration from our drawing resources, and away you go. 

  There is no deadline. 

• Project Benefits & Outcomes?

  Benefits:

  • Encourages participants to practice drawing skills and try new media and new ideas
  • Encourages participants to understand how their drawings can impact on others, and how they in turn can be inspired by the drawings of others.
  • Encourages teachers themselves to question and develop their own understanding of drawing
  • Illustrates how drawing is a fundamental shared “language” to us as humans.
  • Helps creates relationships, connections and dialogues between participants.

  Outcomes:

  • A series of drawings on the “Two Halves” postcard! See below for suggested ways to celebrate the drawings. 
• Running The Project In Your School

  Full guidelines are available here.

• How To Register To Take Part

  To take part in the project, simply register via the form on this page. We will then send you a link to download the AccessArt “Two Halves” Postcard Project PDF so that you can print out your postcards.

• Is There A Fee To Take Part?

  All AccessArt members can take part in the project for free. 

  If you are not already a member of AccessArt, you can find out about all the benefits here. 

  Membership costs from just £3.50 per month, (cancel at anytime, first 30 days free).

• What Should We Do With The Completed Postcards

  Once the postcards are finished (with a drawing made in each half), you might like to consider the following as ways of celebrating the children’s work:

  • Create an exhibition in the school, other schools in your cluster or even in the wider community.
  • Upload images to social media using the tag @accessart so we can help you share.
  • Use a hole punch and string to make class “sketchbooks” from the postcards.
  • Launch a “postcard sale” whereby friends and family buy the postcards and the funds are used to buy art materials for your school