Artful Closer

This exercise offers time for team member reflection and uses art and interpretation to consider the impact of the group’s work prior to adjourning.

It deepens reflection and breaks the analytical processing of an experience by introducing a creative element.
It strengthens team connection and fosters empathy and shared understanding.
It creates a trusting space for all perspectives and stories to be shared.
It celebrates achievements and growth — as individuals and a team.

Preparing for This Activity

Anticipated Duration: 20–45 minutes
Preparation Level: Low to Mid
Suitable for: In person and remote meetings
Materials:
- Sheets of drawing paper
- Tape
- Markers and/or crayons
- If virtual, creation of breakout rooms

Roadmap

Frame the exercise by sharing that we are going to reflect on our common experience and share insights through art.

Instructions

1. Individual visualization

Ask team members to individually visualize the highlights of our time as a team.
Invite people, as they are comfortable, to close their eyes and mentally capture what they are remembering; the lessons learned, the growth, the impact, and so on.
After two minutes, ask individuals to identify one or two highlights they want to remember from the team experience.

2. Create small groups

Form teams of 3–5 people.
Provide a table or wall space for each team to work together.

3. Distribute art supplies

Provide one piece of paper for each team member and shared markers or crayons for drawing.

4. Time to draw

Invite team members to think back to their visualization and the one or two insights and highlights.
Ask them to use those visualizations to draw an abstract picture that captures the essence of the insights and highlights from the team experience.
Assure them you are not asking them to be Picassos. This is more about putting their visualization on paper through intuition and feeling.
Give 8–10 minutes to individually draw.
Once the drawing time has concluded, ask everyone to stop drawing, wherever they are at.

5. The eye of the beholder

At each table, ask team members to take turns holding up their picture.
Ask the other group members to share their interpretation of the drawing simply by sharing out as they are comfortable or building on what someone else shared.
Once all interpretations of one picture have been offered, invite the next artist to share their picture and engage in the same process of interpretation.
Continue this process until all pictures have been shared and interpreted.

6. Artist’s interpretation

After all drawings have been shared and interpreted, invite the groups to go around and share their images again, but this time each person will hold up their picture and describe the insights and highlights they were trying to convey in the picture

7. Debrief

This can be done in small groups or as a large group.
Use all or some of the following questions to debrief the exercise:
- What were frequently mentioned insights or highlights?
- What were insights or highlights that were unique and/or unexpected?
- What insight or highlight was mentioned that you are left really thinking about? Why?
- What are new insights and highlights you are taking away from our team experience?

Closing Thoughts

Consider the following facilitation tips as you guide this exercise:

Normalize discomfort. Acknowledge that working with crayons and drawing may feel a little unfamiliar or childish, and that it might open up new ways to consider our work by focusing on feelings and insights.
- “It’s okay if drawing feels unfamiliar; just focus on capturing feelings, insights, and highlights in your drawings.”
Time management. Keep visualization and drawing time structured. Allow enough time for interpretation and debrief without feeling rushed.
- You may want to consider using a timer or some apparatus to inform individuals when time has concluded.
Remove barriers. Emphasize that the goal is expression and reflection, not artistic skill. Encourage creativity in any form so no one feels stuck or excluded.
- Offer alternatives: For those not comfortable with abstract drawing, provide options such as creating a mind map or using symbols and colors instead of a full illustration.
- Know your audience: Check for accessibility needs in advance and ensure supplies and space accommodate everyone.
Virtual adaptation. If remote, suggest digital drawing tools or camera sharing. Use breakout rooms for small group sharing.
Capture the drawings. Consider taking pictures of the drawings and the experience (with permission) for a visual collage or digital gallery to share later.
Multi-purpose activity. The Artful Closer is versatile and can be adapted for different phases of team development.
- Forming: Use it as an icebreaker with a prompt around shared purpose or team aspirations.
- Performing: Apply it as a reflective exercise to debrief the completion of a project or milestone.
- Any time: Incorporate it whenever you want to invite meaningful reflection, spark discussion, and deepen team connection.

Attribution

Thiagi Group, https://www.thiagi.com