I Am the Artist is a project conceived by the Educational Services of the Galleria Nazionale in collaboration with the semi-residential programme of the U.O.C. PIPSM (Prevention and Early Intervention in Mental Health) of ASL Roma 1, based in Via Plinio.
The project consists of a series of recreational and educational activities designed for adolescents with cognitive and psychiatric disabilities. Beginning in March 2021, every two weeks mediators from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma lead a series of workshops featuring drawing exercises and drawing from direct observation, carried out in front of masterpieces from the Galleria Nazionale’s collection.
The programme combines the museum’s cultural and educational value with the study of art history and an introduction to museum spaces and drawing techniques. Using sheets of paper and coloured pencils, participants are guided in interpreting works of art through a series of exercises completed directly in front of the works themselves.
At the end of each session, every participant gives a personal title to the drawing they have created, discussing the theme explored and explaining the reasons behind their choice of title.