Want to introduce your children to abstract art? Take part in the summer workshops at the FAMM Museum in Mougins.

Every Friday morning at the FAMM (Women Artists of the Mougins Museum) until August 22, children and parents discover the secrets of Abstract Expressionism together. An adventure that begins with a mini-tour of the gallery, guided simply and accurately by Victoria Beldago, the museum's chief mediator. " It's a friendly moment of artistic awakening," she explains. "We adapt the language. We try to make them understand the feelings that the artists may have experienced. It speaks very well to children. We create links between emotions, gestures, shapes, colors..."

Throughout the works, abstraction comes to life. With its powerful strokes, Judit Reigl's Éclatement conveys the rage and inner pain of the artist who has just lost her mother. Amaranth Ehrenhalt's Carmona explodes with sunny colors inspired by a stay in Spain. All in pastel hues, Yvonne Thomas's Transmutation invites introspection.

"They question themselves, try to interpret."

Throughout the tour, the children understand how figuration gave way to abstraction. "With photography, we no longer needed painting to have an exact representation," explains the facilitator, "this allowed artists to seek a new path." The painting by American artist Perle fine illustrates this transition. "We begin to deconstruct the object like the pieces of a puzzle that we disorganize," comments Victoria Beldago. The paintings captivate the children. "They question themselves, try to interpret, to see things... They manage to let their imagination run wild," says the facilitator. Among their favorites are Gypsy Wind by Ann Purcell, which evokes the sea, the sand, a paddleboard... or Abstraction #3 by Elaine de Kooning, whose green color makes them think of nature.

A personal touch

After the tour, it's time to create in Mougins' old bread oven. Gouache, paintbrushes, a variety of papers, and inspiring music: everything is ready to freely express what you feel. "This is the moment when they can explore," Victoria summarizes. "To give them ideas, we prepare visuals that evoke feelings, situations, cool or warm colors... If they have a block, we play them music to inspire them, just like artists do."

Here, there is no obligation to achieve results, nor to judge. "When you create a landscape, you can say whether it's successful or not, but when you're working with abstraction, everything is successful," says the mediator. "What matters is the personal touch, it's daring to express yourself."

Learn more Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., children ages 6 to 12 accompanied by an adult. Materials provided. €12 per person (museum entry included), reservation required.