Establishing a rotating “Gratitude Gallery” at various schools has been a powerful way to motivate students to create art that honors the people who make special contributions in their lives. These galleries change frequently and can take any shape, from formal portraits of a grandparent or teacher, to more whimsical displays such as Post-It murals, kindness sculptures, or collaborative drawing projects that children add to over time.

In one of my favorite gratitude projects, Community Heroes, primary school students researched people in the community who they respected and admired: firefighters, veterinarians, recycling workers, and more. They conducted interviews with these people to learn about their lives, then painted pictures of them. When the portraits were ready to be hung up in the Gratitude Gallery, the subjects were invited to school for the unveiling. It was a very special celebration for students and adults alike, and a testament to the power of gratitude!