The project European Reflection in Fresco originated as a strategic partnership for vocational education and training among four educational institutions; three tertiary vocational teacher training schools (CZ, GE, PL) and a non-governmental association Les Passeurs de Fresques (FR), whose main focus of activity is to popularize the ancient art of fresco painting. The main objective of the partnership is the exchange of good practices. The project participants are teachers/instructors as well as students, though each of them take part in different stages of the project. The principal idea is derived from the social and educational value of European cultural heritage and as the name of the project suggests, its content is focused on the art of the fresco, reflecting social, historical, cultural, and philosophical dimensions of Europeanism. The results are achieved in a unique and innovative way; by means of mutually linking the past 'hands-on' technique of fresco painting, which is based on real manual labour, and utilizing digital graphic design skills of the 21st century. These activities join together in a project which aims to support and develop future educators in personal as well as professional qualities essential for their future occupations. The actual output of the project is realized through the mutual exchange of knowledge and practices; teaching and learning the art of fresco and practical knowledge and skills in digital graphic design. There are generally four stages of the project. During the first stage, students and teachers in mutual interaction generate ideas and associations connected to Europeanism and re-blend them into artistic concepts. In the second stage, these concepts are completely or partially worked out in graphic design software making use of various graphic design elements and tools. Consequently, these artworks are displayed in school and/or town facilities, and take part in a two-round public contest. During the third stage, the winning design is implemented as a fresco in a public or school ground location. And finally, based on the practical project experience, each school implements an extended selection of facultative art subjects; an art course with elements of fresco technique, and an art course with elements of digital graphic design. These courses are planned as intensive project-based activities with a focus on creative and technical skills that can be utilized in the further professional careers of educators. All of the activities described above will take place in each of the schools separately under the tutelage of art teachers, with the assistance of ICT teachers and with the strong active support and collaboration of the French association Les Passeurs de Fresques. During the past three decades, human society has gone through rapid changes caused by technological advances, and the demands laid upon individuals are enormous. Current education is undergoing a process of redefining its concepts and goals, aiming for growth of versatile individuals equipped with skills which enable them to succeed in the world of the 21st century. It has been predicted that future generations will not enjoy the luxury of having a single life-long profession. Educational academics emphasize the importance of developing one’s imagination, creativity and transferable skills, including elementary manual skills, to enhance the psychomotor and cognitive development of the brain and its versatility. As well as the development of fine motor skills, training in manual activities also enhances one’s patience, focus and concentration, precision, attention to detail, time management skills, and convey an aspect of high motivation to produce an outcome of material nature. All of these aspects are present in the art technique of fresco, which can be easily transformed and applied in conditions of school environment by being carried out on training panels, and still not losing anything from its educational value. On the other hand, contemporary life is more and more connected to digital technology. Educational processes and the people involved cannot ignore this socio-economic phenomenon and allow it to pass them by. As well, as a result of modern technology, more and more information takes the form of graphic representations. Visual literacy and the ability to offer educational content in visualized forms should become an elementary part of an educator’s skill set. Both art syllabi, an art course with elements of fresco as well as an art course with elements of graphic design, may be adjusted to the needs and abilities of various social groups, beginning with children, through youth, adults and seniors, including people with special needs, socially maladjusted persons and other groups engaged in therapies. Both activities may lead to rehabilitation and resocialization on a much deeper level as the combination of art and manual labour has been proved to bring the best results.
The schools wanted to acquire the technology of wall painting technique of fresco and enrich their study programs in optional creative courses for students. The main objective was to offer students creative and experiential learning with therapeutic aspect, which would enhance their skills, but also their methodological strategies and didactic creativity. The involved institutions also wanted to expand the skills of project participants in digital graphic design and to propose a syllabus for facultative art courses with elements of DGD. Other important objectives were providing the participating educators with opportunities for their professional development, foreign language communication practice and motivation for searching new innovative solutions in teaching as well as school program organization. Finally, the organizations were looking for strengthening their international bonds and realizing current and future possibilities for international cooperation.
The partners of the project European Reflection in Fresco (ERinF) are three institutions specializing in training students in pedagogical field and an association of amateur artists specializing in creating and popularizing the ancient art technique of fresco and sgraffito. All four participating organizations were looking for international partnership cooperation in cultural field with multidisciplinary impact, expanding their ways and approaches to creative and innovative teaching with inclusive aspect, enriching their study programs by new facultative courses and introducing hands-on activities inspired in ancient art creativity and techniques while transmitting them into the 21st century. Another major motivation of all participating organizations was to promote Europeanism and our democratic values and to lead an international dialogue through artistic expression.