Clergy stole maker, I am. But as a former art teacher I still get excited about an art lesson. Especially one like this that is great for many types of groups with many skill levels. Anyone can succeed! This worked well for me in a youth ministry group with my home congregation. It would be a good one to turn to as many of us are looking at the start a new program year!

Supplies you’ll need:

• inexpensive paint brushes, at the least - one per color of paint if you don’t want to deal with containers of water for cleaning the brushes

• acrylic craft paints of any color or you might want to set a specific color palette

• canvas(es) - think about whether they will be framed or if the edges will show. There are all different types of canvas options and some have wrap around edges so the canvas can be painted on the edges and you won’t need a frame. That would be a budget friendly option.

  • The group I worked with was large so we used three, 24 x 36” canvases that when finished would hang on a wall side by side.

• a pencil

• a permanent marker like the classic Sharpie brand

• this printable puzzle piece. Although not necessary, we recommend printing it on card stock. Print as is or scale it to the desired size best suited for your project.

• newspaper or disposable tablecloth to protect table or floor or both) where the painting will occur.

• paper towels, baby wipes and/or wet rags for little clean ups or whoopsies.

• small cups (like bathroom dixie size) or paper plates for dispensing the paint

• small bucket or container of water to clean brushes if you don’t have access to a sink with running water.

  • Tip - assign paint brushes specific colors as it’s best not to wash brushes in the middle of the project because the damp brushes will dilute the paint.

  • OR - provide containers of water for brush washing that won’t easily tip over. I like using glass canning jars. If participants are washing their own brushes make sure they really dry them on paper towels before painting the next color.

Preparation ahead of time

• print puzzle piece to the desired scale. You will make this decision based upon your group size and the canvas size. On the canvas you will want at least one puzzle piece for each person

• with a pencil trace the puzzle piece on the canvas, repeatedly connecting it into the previous drawing until the canvas is full or until you have a piece on the canvas for each participant.

  • Note 1 — This project could be just inclusive of each member in the group but you also could add more puzzle pieces for future members to fill in or to indicate that there is room for growth in the group.

  • Note 2 — The puzzle pieces can be drawn as if they go off the edge of the canvas or not at all to the edge. If you choose the later then the empty space around the edge will serve as a border. You can see this in the photos in this post.

• with the permanent marker draw over the pencil lines

What to do with the students -

• remind students that acrylic paint will wash off hands but not off clothing. With that said, this should be a fairly neat and tidy project.

• explain that you’ll be making ‘puzzle paintings’ to symbolize that each one of them is a piece of the puzzle that God has for the plan for the greater group. The finished painting will represent community and The Church.

• students will choose a puzzle piece on the canvas to paint to represent themselves. The painting could be simple solid colors or more complex patterns, designs, imagery and/or words.

  • Keep in mind your group size and how many students can realistically gather around the canvas. This is a wonderful project to do as part of a circuit of stations. For example, I tested the project at an Open House and it was one station that visitors to the youth room could rotate through at their leisure.

• only dispense small amounts of paint at a time. This will help control any ‘messes’ and prevent colors from drying up. You can easily assign a helper to replenish paint as needed.

When done painting you and the students should stand back and admire the work. Working cooperatively for the creation of one image is a good thing. Another lesson learned!

I’d love to hear if you try this project! Hope it is a wonderful time of creating together and in the end a symbol of God creating us each a part of the whole plan.