Sandgotna School, despite its positive aspects, faces significant challenges and has one of the highest dropout rates in Norway. In the mixed group class I led, more than half of the students rarely attended school, with some not having completed a full day all year. However, engaging with art spoke to them in a way that traditional methods did not. I listened to them, respected their voices, and encouraged each of them to create artworks that expressed something meaningful to them.

Over the course of four days, spread across three weeks, we crafted profound pieces that revealed much about each student's experiences and emotions. The themes varied widely: some depicted the stress of time pressures, others explored how having a friend could serve as a shield against problems and the darkness outside. We reflected on topics such as self-hatred, fear, existential anxiety, joy, and the longing for freedom. Some students formed groups to portray a shared experience, such as the traumatic event three of them witnessed—a fellow student overdosing on their very first day of school. This incident clearly affected them deeply, and although they often joked about it, it was evident they needed a space to process what had happened.

Teachers frequently visited the workshop, astonished by the students' engagement. Not only were the students present, but they were actively working, contributing, paying attention, and participating in the sessions (something I was very pleased to see!).

We concluded with a unique outdoor exhibition in the snow. The students painted on cling film stretched between two trees, and with the snow as a white backdrop, the result was stunning. The artworks seemed to float, with their transparent backgrounds blending into the snowy landscape, creating an open-air gallery effect.

These pieces will later be exhibited as photographed works at the local community terminal where the students live, accompanied by their personal narratives. This initiative not only gave the students a platform to express themselves but also fostered a sense of pride and accomplishment, further nurturing the idea of flourishing communities through art and self-expression.
Sidenote: All images depicting faces has been accepted by the students and the school.