This story travels on four-wheeled joy and community wonder. The characters are a sweet bunch: NOMAD teaching artists, two creative third graders, and their supportive art teachers.

A child using a paintbrush to paint the tires of a bus

The setting is comprised of familiar Tampa Bay sidewalks, paint-covered stations nestled close to the NOMAD art bus, and a gathering of folks drawing close to the explosion of color spread across bus windows and wheels. Welcome to our Rolling Studio!

This is a shared story of two nonverbal students and their time painting the bus (participating in Rolling Studio). But the story’s magic extends past the coolness factor of taking a paint brush to a functional bus that drives all over your hometown. It’s about the continued discovery of creativity, connection, and access to artmaking in unexpected ways.

First up, there’s a boy sitting in a share circle after painting. Our teaching artists open up the conversation for each student to tell us their favorite part of the day. We make sure to let each kid know they can share or pass. When we got to this particular student, the silence was caring and intentional.

Our NOAMD crew sat patiently, but his classmates sat eagerly with a higher level of focus. With slow and intentional effort, the boy told all of us he really liked painting the bus. Surprise found the edges of so many smiles in the room.

The other main character for this story is a young girl. With excitement, she named how she loved the paint colors and painting the bus. Moments after sharing her art teacher approached us. For several years, this teacher had worked with this student and had never once heard her speak, until today.

Both children in our story are nonverbal. So, you may be thinking? Is the NOMAD bus magical? Short answer – yes. But not in the way you’re thinking!

Three children with hands covered in paint leaving hand prints on the painted bus.

There are various reasons that impact someone’s ability to communicate verbally. Some reasons include learning disabilities, autism, and hearing impairments. Verbal communication is one of many ways we can make meaningful connections – but alas it is not superior or the right way.

And it is still true, these students broke out of their communication patterns when they interacted with the NOMAD art bus. There are numerous things that influence our ability or preference of communication. What is most important in this story is communal artmaking led to new modes of self-expression and connecting with others.

What our team does know: when anyone has access and space to get creative, they are able to move beyond the familiar, and wield paint, smiles, and authenticity as a new language. They are able to meet confidence, curiosity, and delight. Somehow what may have felt strange becomes fun. This is the magic of the NOMAD art bus.

Access to art infinitely increases access to joy and wonder. The evidence is in every gasp we hear before someone asks, “can we paint the bus?”. From kid to adult, art is a universal language.

Rolling Studio allows us to share joyful experiences wherever we are. From our local neighborhoods to community art festivals throughout Tampa Bay to pop-up events with amazing partners, creativity teleports any place we gather.

You can support our mission and keep the Rolling Studio up and running by donating directly to our work. We would love to see you volunteer for future NOMAD bus events or share other resources to increase our connection with our community. Until then, look for the bus and we’ll paint with you soon!

Rolling Studio Story