Emergent Project: The Drip Drop Dragon
An emergent project is a project that arises spontaneously, shaped by the evolving circumstances and needs of a situation. At The Advent School, what started as a simple exploration of drip art among our pre-K students turned into something magical.
In the Atelier with Advent Atelierista Vicky de la Garza, students were exploring concepts of color theory, including color harmony, color schemes, and how colors interact with each other.
While experimenting with paint on a round surface (and using a tray to catch the mess!), kids discovered that the dried paint on the tray had pooled into…A DRAGON! This unexpected creature quickly became the star of their project.
Students from grades pre-K through First Grade began wondering: What is this dragon up to? What’s its superpower? What adventures might it go on?
They decided to bring these questions to the wider Advent community, turning a happy accident into a collaborative story.
During Advent’s Annual Art Stroll, they invited everyone—students, teachers, parents, grandparents, and alumni—to share their ideas. In the process, they gathered fascinating thoughts that will inspire how they will use the dragon next year: maybe more art, a story, or even a game!
Read on to see the full bio of Advent’s Drip Drop Dragon!
Meet the Drip Drop Dragon!
The Drip Drop Dragon is a dazzling, one-of-a-kind creature made entirely out of fire, yet peaceful and calm. Its body flickers with ever-changing colors, like a dancing flame after rain. Tiny T. rex-like legs carry it with playful skips, while bright laser eyes scan the sky, glowing with determination. Its hair shoots straight up, wild and free, like a spark caught in the wind.
As it moves, nonstop fire flows from its mouth, but not just any fire, this fire turns into paint and rainbow colors, bringing light, art, and wonder to the world. Its breath is both painful and beautiful, a reminder of how powerful emotions can fuel creativity.
Drip Drop’s superpowers are extraordinary:
It commands electricity and can light up the night sky with a crackle.
It is summoned only by kids with wild imaginations, those brave enough to dream big.
It reflects the inner dragon inside each child, a symbol of limitless energy, hope, potential, and drive.
It has the power of kindness and a mission to make sure no one is ever left behind. This dragon is as inclusive as it is fierce.
It has some quirky favorites, too. Drip Drop eats:
Paint (especially bright colors)
Strawberry ice cream with real strawberries and crunchy rocks (which clean its teeth)
Empanadas, sushi, cake, and even bananas
It doesn’t just eat the rainbow, it collects it, storing colors for rainy days
In its free time, Drip Drop:
Flies with birds, its best friends in the sky.
Shoots paint from its mouth, turning clouds into galaxies.
Goes on treasure hunts, reflects rainbows, and makes rain fall just when flowers are thirsty.
Uses its fire to light village pizza ovens, yes, it’s a hero with good taste.
And every day, at exactly 3:00 p.m., it gives a little bite, not out of meanness, but as a reminder: stay curious, stay bold, stay awake to the magic.
The Drip Drop Dragon is a guardian of dreams and a keeper of color. It is magical, fierce, and incredibly kind, just like the children and grownups who imagined it!
