Children’s Reimagined Mona Lisa Goes Viral |
 The current view and like count (28.2.26) |  The final composited artwork |
When the finished artwork was revealed, staff filmed the children’s reaction—capturing their gasps, laughter and amazement as the separate squares came together to form the complete image.
The video was shared on RAW’s Instagram page and quickly went viral, gaining over half a million views and almost 40,000 likes in just a few days. Have a look for yourself here: Our Viral Mona Lisa Reel
The video was shared on RAW’s Instagram page and quickly went viral, gaining over half a million views and almost 40,000 likes in just a few days. Have a look for yourself here: Our Viral Mona Lisa Reel
 Two of the young artists involved, pointing out their squares |  The individual squares during assembly |
 Detail |  Drawing in progress |
One of RAW’s Directors, Alex Vann, said:
“This project shows the power of creativity when young people are trusted to explore, express and collaborate. Seeing their pride when the final piece was revealed was incredible. The online response has been overwhelming, and it’s wonderful to see their work being celebrated so widely.”
Beyond its viral success, the project highlights the role of creative learning in supporting confidence, wellbeing and connection, particularly during school holidays.
The Mona Lisa project was part of a wider programme delivered at The Workspace, All Saints Action Network, that included pop art canvases, pointillist drawings of Wolverhampton landmarks, British Sign Language and Deaf Awareness workshops, and Children’s Mental Health Week activities.
RAW is now inviting local galleries, community venues and public spaces to consider exhibiting the artwork.
The Mona Lisa project was part of a wider programme delivered at The Workspace, All Saints Action Network, that included pop art canvases, pointillist drawings of Wolverhampton landmarks, British Sign Language and Deaf Awareness workshops, and Children’s Mental Health Week activities.
RAW is now inviting local galleries, community venues and public spaces to consider exhibiting the artwork.
“This isn’t just a picture,” added Vann. “It’s a story of teamwork, imagination and young voices. We’d love to see it hanging somewhere the whole community can enjoy.”
And with growing public interest, one playful question remains: Does Mona need a home?
Notes to Editors
Real Arts Workshops (RAW) is an independent arts and British Sign Language (BSL) workshop provider based in Wolverhampton, delivering creative programmes for individuals, education, healthcare and communities settings for participants of all ages and abilities.
Website: www.realartsworkshops.co.uk
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, introduced in 2021, provides free school holiday provision including healthy meals and enriching activities for children from low-income households.
For information about the HAF programme in Wolverhampton email: [email protected]
For media enquiries, interviews or exhibition opportunities, please contact: [email protected]
Real Arts Workshops (RAW) is an independent arts and British Sign Language (BSL) workshop provider based in Wolverhampton, delivering creative programmes for individuals, education, healthcare and communities settings for participants of all ages and abilities.
Website: www.realartsworkshops.co.uk
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, introduced in 2021, provides free school holiday provision including healthy meals and enriching activities for children from low-income households.
For information about the HAF programme in Wolverhampton email: [email protected]
For media enquiries, interviews or exhibition opportunities, please contact: [email protected]
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Incredible creations by young people in Wolverhampton
We were deligted to be one of the funded projects delivering HAF Activities* over the Feb Half Term school holidays in Wolverhampton.
*The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, introduced in 2021, provides free school holiday provision including healthy meals and enriching activities for children from low-income households. Evidence shows that free holiday clubs such as the HAF scheme can have a positive impact on children and young people, and provide consistent and easily accessible enrichment activities.
We hired space at Workspace, ASAN (All Saints Action Network) for 5 dates (16th – 20th February 2026) and they also provided our catering and delivered a varied timetable of creative activities, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with plenty of plan B’s / and C’s for ‘fast finishers.’
RAW aimed to achieve the following outcomes, among others, for the young people we worked with in this scheme:
- reduce isolation,
- develop confidence,
- learn new things,
- have fun,
- improve mental health,
- eliminate boredom
- create new artworks that didn’t exist before
- improve self confidence
Some of the young people who attended had additional needs and health conditions, such as:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Nosebleeds
- Dyspraxia
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Moderate Learning Needs
- Epilepsy
- Heart condition
- Asthma
SELECTION OF IMAGES
Day 1: Pop Art Fruit and Healthy Lifestyles
On Day One of our scheme we encouraged young people to paint #popart canvases - with a healthy eating theme (one of the core elements of the HAF Programme).
We also delivered some education about #healthylifestyles - including positive mental health, to follow #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek which is driven by the Place2Be movement.
We also delivered some education about #healthylifestyles - including positive mental health, to follow #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek which is driven by the Place2Be movement.
Day 1: Deaf Awareness and BSL learning
The young people learnt about #deafawareness with our Deaf director Gary - as part of our Feb Half Term HAF Activities, funded by City of Wolverhampton Council and Department for Education.
Also some basic #BSL (British Sign Language) learning - including a young person, who has attended our sessions previously, being an ambassador for sign language and teaching the finger spelling alphabet. And, of course, our famous BSL Bingo - with a Healthy Eating theme.
Also some basic #BSL (British Sign Language) learning - including a young person, who has attended our sessions previously, being an ambassador for sign language and teaching the finger spelling alphabet. And, of course, our famous BSL Bingo - with a Healthy Eating theme.
Day 2: Leonardo da Vinci and Recreating his Mona Lisa
A Black Country version of Leonardo's Last Supper by Max Vann (father of our director Alex)
Day 2 of our Feb Half Term #HAF Activities was a focus on Leonardo da Vinci - a true #Renaissance artist, inventor and much more.
We looked at a few of his works including The Last Supper (see a Black Country version of that here, painted by Alex's father Max!), the Vitruvian Man and of course, the Mona Lisa.
Read more about the art of Max Vann here: https://www.alexvann.co.uk/the-art-of-max-vann.html
The young people then created their own version of the Mona Lisa in square sections which were pieced together at the end of the session. We think she looks great, what do you think?
The reveal video of the recreation has gone viral on Instagram (more about that in a later post).
Watch the video here.
We looked at a few of his works including The Last Supper (see a Black Country version of that here, painted by Alex's father Max!), the Vitruvian Man and of course, the Mona Lisa.
Read more about the art of Max Vann here: https://www.alexvann.co.uk/the-art-of-max-vann.html
The young people then created their own version of the Mona Lisa in square sections which were pieced together at the end of the session. We think she looks great, what do you think?
The reveal video of the recreation has gone viral on Instagram (more about that in a later post).
Watch the video here.
Day 3: Georges Seurat and Pointillism
Some truly remarkable Pointillist marker drawings, in the style of Georges Seurat, by young people attending RAW's HAF session at All Saints Action Network Ltd
Some Wolverhampton landmarks as you've never seen them before and other subjects all made with tiny dots and a load of patience! This is a really mindful and relaxing activity to do.
Some Wolverhampton landmarks as you've never seen them before and other subjects all made with tiny dots and a load of patience! This is a really mindful and relaxing activity to do.
Day 4 : Hama Beads and Slate Coasters
On day 4 the young people used Hama fuse beads to create characters, creatures and objects and decorated their slate coasters with beautiful designs which were then varnished.
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Day 5: Mental Health Activities
On day 5 we focused on #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek and the young people participated in a range activities to help them think about their own self care and the steps they can take to safeguard their positive mental health.
This included making 'What Makes Me Happy' posters, watching a presentation by Jen which included some resources from Place2Be, learning #BSL signs related to the theme, and making their own 'zines (see the next post).
We rounded off the day by singing - and signing - the classic Bob Marley song 'Three Little Birds'...."Don't worry, about a thing...." with Alex on the guitar.
#GivingPeopleACreativeVoice #mentalhealth #HAFActivities #BobMarley
We rounded off the day by singing - and signing - the classic Bob Marley song 'Three Little Birds'...."Don't worry, about a thing...." with Alex on the guitar.
#GivingPeopleACreativeVoice #mentalhealth #HAFActivities #BobMarley
Children's Mental Health - Resources and Signposting
SAMARITANS
If you need urgent support but don't want to go to A&E you can call Samaritans. They're always open and there to listen.
Freephone 116 123.
CHILDLINE
Childline is a free, private and confidential service for anyone under 19 with any issue you are going through. You can talk to them about anything, whatever your worry, whenever you need help, anytime day or night.
www.childline.org.uk
Phone: 0800 1111
YOUNG MINDS
Young Minds is a mental health charity for children and young people. They give advice and information about mental health conditions and support for young people & parents and carers.
www.youngminds.org.uk
Text YM to 85258
KOOTH
A free, anonymous, online counselling and emotional well-being service for young people aged 11-18 (up to 25 for care leavers/SEND).
www.kooth.com
BASE 25
Base 25 provides a safe, drop-in space for under 25s in Wolverhampton city centre for emotional support and counseling. 29-31 Temple St, Wolverhampton WV2 4AN
01902 572040
[email protected]
If you need urgent support but don't want to go to A&E you can call Samaritans. They're always open and there to listen.
Freephone 116 123.
CHILDLINE
Childline is a free, private and confidential service for anyone under 19 with any issue you are going through. You can talk to them about anything, whatever your worry, whenever you need help, anytime day or night.
www.childline.org.uk
Phone: 0800 1111
YOUNG MINDS
Young Minds is a mental health charity for children and young people. They give advice and information about mental health conditions and support for young people & parents and carers.
www.youngminds.org.uk
Text YM to 85258
KOOTH
A free, anonymous, online counselling and emotional well-being service for young people aged 11-18 (up to 25 for care leavers/SEND).
www.kooth.com
BASE 25
Base 25 provides a safe, drop-in space for under 25s in Wolverhampton city centre for emotional support and counseling. 29-31 Temple St, Wolverhampton WV2 4AN
01902 572040
[email protected]
QUOTES FROM LEARNERS
- Doing the Mona Lisa collage was very fun, I liked using pastels
- I enjoyed doing Mona Lisa today.
- I enjoyed doing Mona Lisa, I loved the paper part and how it turned out.
- I enjoyed doing pop art, I enjoyed it because I learnt a new way to create art using a different art technique with colours.
- It was fun! I liked that it was challenging, and I like painting.
- On Monday I really enjoyed painting 4 different fruits and on Tuesday I enjoyed painting the 2 squares of Mona Lisa collage.
- I had a really fun experience.
- Pop art was nice. I liked painting it.
- Today I enjoyed doing the Pointillism artwork – it was fun
- I felt happy.
- It was fun. I liked that it was challenging and I like painting.
- I would like to do more Hama beads. I had a fun experience using Hama beads.
- I love this place.
- Today was definitely good
- I like doing the coasters.
- I think today was good because we did Hama beads and coaster today was definitely good.
- I felt calm and excited because I loved the session and made me feel enjoyable.
- I loved both the activities; I did like to do more of the beads.
- I like all today. It was fun
- It was amazing - so much fun.
- I enjoyed everything today. The Pointillism art was really fun and relaxing.
- This place is really nice and I don’t think the staff need to improve
- I love it here
- The teachers are very kind and so is the company too. I love the experience it is great to be a part of the lovely club keep up your good work and remember to always keep going towards your dreams and never give up god bless all of you community it is great to have positive club and this club is always positive and when I say it’s nice being in this club I mean the club is nice have a great day all of you guys, bye now guys
SURVEY RESPONSES
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THANK YOU!
THE RAW TEAM!
Thanks to our Directors, staff, volunteers and sign language interpreters for making this scheme one of our most impactful projects ever!
L-R: Jenaitre, Tammy, Gary, Alex, Jemma, Lisa, Courtney and Taran
Thanks to our Directors, staff, volunteers and sign language interpreters for making this scheme one of our most impactful projects ever!
L-R: Jenaitre, Tammy, Gary, Alex, Jemma, Lisa, Courtney and Taran
Author
Real Arts Workshops is an independent arts company based in the Black Country, providing bespoke workshops for various organisations and groups.
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