Young Japanese artists are using school blackboards as a canvas for their creativity. The annual Kokuban Art Koshien contest, which combines the word for ‘blackboard’ with the name of a famous stadium, attracts artworks from about 300 high schools and junior high schools.

Introduction to Blackboard Art

The contest began in 2015 by Nichigaku Co., a Tokyo-based blackboard maker. The annual judging is done by examining the photos of the works, given that the medium, blackboards, can’t be moved easily. The use of blackboards for creating artworks existed before in the Japanese school system, with a stunning replica of Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ by an unknown artist on a school blackboard catching Nichigaku’s eye.

The contest doesn’t really work as a direct marketing tool because schools already have blackboards. However, some contestants become professional artists later, according to Nichigaku President Tomohiro Yoshida. Chalk powder gets scattered over the blackboard for an almost stardust effect, and smudging with fingers and tissue paper creates shadows and muted tones.

Benefits of Blackboard Art

Proponents say it’s a great educational tool to deliver the lesson on the impermanence of life, the fragility of creation, and the courage to keep going. For when the work gets erased is the moment that the art is considered to be truly complete. The challenge of trying to sort out the conflicting opinions of collaborators is a valuable experience, teaching students about teamwork and creativity.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.