Benjamin Moore Holiday Worskhop at The Change Initiative

I am not aware what The Change Initiative is about until an invitation to attend Benjamin Moore's chalkboard paint workshop landed on my inbox.

My daughter asked me before to buy her some chalkboard paints for her personal art projects which I never had the chance to oblige but then came this workshop invitation and I remember her request. I excitedly confirmed our attendance because it is a workshop designed for kids and I am sure that my son and my daughter will be delighted.

I honestly thought that The Change Initiative is an art exhibit but it turned out to be a store selling all sorts of interesting, unique, beautiful and most importantly eco-friendly products. They also house a cafe selling healthy food that suits the vision and mission of the company.

The other kids were halfway through their artwork when we arrive. Ana accommodated us and we were handed with a Benjamin Moore labelled salad bowl and a water bottle to work on. We were also given three small containers of washable red, green (the colors of the season) and black chalkboard paints to use.

Suited with our apron and armed with a foam roller and paintbrush, we work quickly to catch up. I let Mica work on her own and let the creativity flow while I help Prince with his bottle.

After we're done painting the glass bowl and bottle, we moved it to a table where everybody else placed their work to dry.

The kids work were all amazing! Each piece was labeled with the child's name.

After a delicious breakfast, they all went to doodle on this huge board that says "Chalk you holiday!"

Here's  Ms. Tony Snider - Color Specialist at Benjamin Moore who gave her tips and trick earlier in the workshop having some fun with the kids.

My son was indeed having fun who then raised both hands and said "raise your hands in the air like you even don't care!" It's so good to look at these free-spirited younglings! Just like an artist who is free to create anything.

Here are further tips on how you can used chalkboard paints to make your home a little more homey.

Option #1: Wall painting to create the right mood

Paint one of the walls in chalkboard paint in your kids’ bedroom or paint some piece of furniture somewhere in the living. The paint helps turn any space in home into writing surface, making it a more functional and fun to use. It’s safe so even if your children have any allergies there is no need for you to worry. If you are bored with classical colours, with more than 3,300 hues in the Benjamin Moore system you can go creative and create any design you want.

Option #2: Create an easy-to-update family calendar

Planning a vacation or don’t want to miss your kids’ football match? Use the chalkboard paint to create a family calendar on your kitchen wall or even fridge that you can easily update every month. Use it to keep track of everyone's schedules, from school events to meetings and games. Assign each family member a different colour so you can not only keep track of things but have fun as a family. 

Option #3: Table painting to enjoy your every meal

Turn any space in your home into a writing surface. From a reusable, eco-friendly list maker to a drawing surface, wall calendar, or child's activity centre, these creative ways to use chalkboard paint will make your home even more functional. Your kids can’t sit still while whey are eating, then paint the surface of your table with the chalkboard paint. Now they can enjoy their meal and paint at the same time. How easy it is!

Option #4: Labelled Dresser Drawers

Forget about those days when your children were fighting for drawers. With the chalkboard you can allocate each dressing drawer, labeling them with your family members’ names. You can go further and add categories like shirts, jeans, dresses; even your husband will know where he can find his favourite socks now.

Option #5: Flowerpot Labels so you can enjoy your hobby

If you enjoy growing herbs indoors, paint terracotta planters with chalkboard paint. Then label the pots with chalk to keep track of exactly what's growing where—from basil to mint.

Option #6: Organize your day in creative way

Do you have too many errands to run every day and afraid of forgetting something? Then keep track of all the things you need to get done by applying chalkboard paint to the inside of a kitchen cabinet door. This way your message space will be easily accessible to you, but not visible to your visitors.

Be different and creative every day with fabulous designs. Benjamin Moore chalkboard paint, available in any colour, lets you turn virtually any interior surface into an easy-to-clean chalkboard. It goes on smoothly, just like other paints—and with lots of fun colours to choose from, the interior no longer has to be boring.

Founded in 1883, Benjamin Moore is North America’s favorite paint, color and coatings brand. A leading manufacturer of premium quality residential and commercial coatings, Benjamin Moore maintains a relentless commitment to innovation and sustainable manufacturing practices. The portfolio spans the brand’s flagship paint lines including Aura, Regal Select, Ben & UltraSpec as well as the most environmentally friendly premium paint in the marketplace today, Natura. Benjamin Moore is renowned for its expansive color portfolio, offering consumers and designers more than 3,500 colors. Benjamin Moore paints are now available in GCC markets through locally owned and operated paint and decorating retailers.