For Arts Sake

I love art! I can't get enough of it, in all of it's fabulous forms. I grew up with art and creativity all around me, whether it was painting, crafts or music, it has always been in my life.  I do not consider myself an exceptional  artist but I have my own talents.  My son is showing himself to be very talented, and that is why I decided to start this blog.

It saddens me, that with the state of our schools and the limited budgets they have, art and music have been tossed aside.  My son is fortunate, he goes to an amazing public school with a lot of parent volunteer support.  They do many fundraising events to help keep music and technology programs running, but still do not have enough funding for art.  The amazing teachers incorporate it into their lessons as often as they are able and the school allows a children's art teacher to come in 1 hour,once a week, for several 4 week sessions to instruct the children in art after school.  Parents have to pay for the sessions but at least there is a resource. 

I have become friends with a few teachers over the years and they have learned about my love of art and enthusiasm for sharing it with kids.  I have done a few art projects with my son's classes in the past and have had teachers ask me for advise in projects they can do with their students. At one of the projects I put together, I prepared a slide show.  It was short, but it gave a brief biography of the artist and showed some of their works of art. I showed this before I asked the students to make their own version of what they saw.  I was thrilled to see that each of them showed such interest and enjoyed learning a little more, it helped them to envision the style of art they were being asked to do. The greatest complement I received was from a few students telling me they had never liked art before or thought they would not be good at it, but really enjoyed it this time. 

Art should be fun and no pressure, there is no good or bad when a child can express themselves through art and their natural ability to be creative and imaginative no matter the form or level of "expertise". 

I have decided to post these little slide shows here, along with some links to inspire and provide resources to all those amazing teachers out there, who are my heroes, and anyone else who wants to explore art with your children or even for yourself. 

Any little part I can do to help create more appreciation and enthusiasm for arts sake and open up the world of art to a young heart, that may not have the chance otherwise, makes my soul happy.



American's for the Arts
http://www.artsusa.org/get_involved/advocacy/funding_resources/default_005.asp