Students responded very positively to this activity, and the impact it had on some of them both in the moment and as a memory was reflective and ultimately positive. A couple teachers and the primary special education teacher were interested in using this activity and observed their students in new ways when this art activity was performed.

Because of the pandemic, students and teachers have felt an overwhelming amount of stress in their daily lives. I am hopeful this art activity acted as novel way to engage the mind, body and spirit for healing. Before we did this activity we learned about Japanese artist USHIO SHINOHARA, who uses the physical movements and gear associated with boxing to create unique paintings and happenings.  His highly physical, in the moment painting with boxing gloves releases not just physical but mental and emotional states.  We hope to honor his approach by applying our own personal SEL related states to it in the moment, as each student confronts the wall with paint, boxing gloves and the pandemic winding down in their school environments.  

https://blog.awma.com/85-year-old-art-star-ushio-shinohara-paints-with-his-boxing-gloves/

Field Day 1 had 5th through 8th graders on the field doing many activities, including Paint Boxing. They were given four colors to choose from, I demonstrated boxing with paints and then let each student have 2 minutes of boxing, 4 students at a time on a large gessoed mural. Here is day 1.
Field Day 2 Kindergarten through 4th graders on the field.