A few months ago, one of our After-School Art Lab students, we’ll call her Anne, had a teary moment over a piece she wasn’t happy with. Being a bit of a perfectionist, Anne often struggles when her creations don’t match the picture she has in her head. That day, her frustration bubbled over, and she was so upset she nearly gave up.
Fast forward to a recent art class, where a new student – let’s call him James – was painting a clay sculpture he’d made. He was focused, carefully adding colours, when suddenly, a big brown smudge appeared on the top. It wasn’t part of his plan, and we could see his disappointment.
Anne noticed James’s dilemma and, to our surprise, stepped in to help. Together, they tried dabbing off the smudge, but it only spread. After a moment of brainstorming, they decided to lean into the “mistake”. Instead of fixing it, they transformed the clay figure into a Coffee Monster, adding more brown to make the smudge part of its character.
The two of them got really into it, imagining what a Coffee Monster might do. “Actually,” Anne said with a cheeky grin, “you should make him a Tea Monster instead and stick a teabag coming out of his mouth!” James’s eyes lit up as he replied with an enthusiastic “Yeah!”
This moment was so special to witness, for three reasons:
1. It Showed Growth
Anne, who once crumbled under the weight of imperfection, had learned to embrace mistakes. Not only that, but she also helped someone else do the same. Watching her channel her own experiences into kindness and support was nothing short of heartwarming.
2. It Highlighted Collaboration
Art can be such a personal process, but when we create together, magic happens. Anne and James took a “ruined” sculpture and turned it into something entirely new – and entirely theirs. In that moment, they weren’t just making art; they were building connection and learning from each other.
3. It Reinforced the Power of Play
Mistakes are where the best stories often begin. What started as an accident turned into a unique idea that sparked laughter and creativity. This is what process art is all about: letting go of perfection, embracing the unexpected, and enjoying the journey.
Moments like these remind me why I do what I do. Art isn’t just about creating something beautiful; it’s about fostering resilience, imagination, and connection. Seeing Anne go from a tearful artist to a confident, supportive peer? That’s the real masterpiece.
If you’ve ever felt the sting of perfectionism or the frustration of something not going to plan, remember this: sometimes, the smudges and spills are the best part of the story. Let’s celebrate the Coffee Monsters in life – teabags and all.
Have you witnessed or experienced a moment where a mistake led to something unexpectedly wonderful? I’d love to hear about it – let’s share the joy of embracing the unexpected!
Imagine Play Inspire 