Daring to be different - how an art project made a difference to attitudes, learning and well-being of girls in a traveller community

This chapter outlines a five-month teaching project where my concern was to engage a group of adolescent female Travellers in learning abourt art, through the introduction of new skills and relevant experiences. Using extracts from my journal, I identify a progression of behavouir and attitudes that link to a developing confidence and self-esteem in the girls. This, in turn, influenced their desire to learn new skills that they could use in their pursuit for emotional, social and economical well-being. As my relationship with the students developed, I observed an improved attitude to their learning and a desire to create beautiful art and crafts. The sense of engagement, joy and achievement in learning about, and creating art affected teacher and student, in a mutually trusting relationship, which was powerful in generating positive attitudes and well-being.