by Lisa Cadigan
Regardless of whether one child is the next Van Gogh or whether she just likes to draw stick people, offering children artistic opportunities serves two purposes:
- A child is given the opportunity to find a medium for self-expression.
- A child is exposed to creative ways people can connect with each other.
The result is people who practice the arts, and people who appreciate them.
Mira’s birdhouse from “Dirty Hands Pottery,” summer 2013
Mira is seven, and she loves art. She is also very good at it. Last year, thanks to a scholarship awarded through the Adams County Arts Council, she and her brother Avery participated in Jack Handshaw’s “Dirty Hands Pottery” camp and Sara Little’s “Magic Art Time Machine” camp. Their mother Heidi expressed her gratitude, as she would not have been able to send both kids to camp without the scholarship, which provided a unique opportunity for the siblings to participate in an activity together. Upon completion of the “Magic Art Time Machine” camp, Sara Little, having seen something promising in Mira’s work, offered Mira private lessons. Mira also won a coloring contest at school and an award for a painted Christmas ornament through the Hanover Area Arts Guild. Keeping budding artists like Mira involved in art is important.
Avery learns about Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” in Sara Little’s “Magic Art Time Machine” camp, summer 2013
Avery is pretty good at art, too, but more importantly, he loved camp. Heidi confides that Avery usually wouldn’t choose art as “his thing,” but the camps provided exposure to activities he had never tried before, and he enthusiastically produced some impressive work. He learned about artists like Edvard Munch and his famous painting, “The Scream;” he made a birdhouse; he and his sister shared their versions of the same subjects, a flower and the tree of life – each reflecting a unique interpretation. Keeping art-enthusiasts like Avery excited about art is also important.
As human beings, we accomplish nothing without creativity. Whether is it picking out something to wear in the morning, or assessing the quality of your morning coffee by the perfect tint, determined by
just the right amount of creamer; whether it is how you will approach a difficult conversation, or how you will let a loved one know you are thinking of her on her birthday; whether it is what you will cook for dinner, or the restaurant you choose if you don’t want to cook – every decision requires a creative impulse. Our ability to make decisions beneficial to ourselves and to the people around us is largely dependent on our experiences. Offering a variety of creative experiences to young people promises a future generation with tools to build a rich quality of life.
Beginning May 20 through the 22nd, you will have the opportunity to help children in our community experience not only a rich summer, but also plant the seeds for future creative impulses.
Mira’s flower
What is your creative impulse telling you to do right now? I bet it’s telling you to share this post with your friends – go ahead and swirl your mouse with a flourish to the “share” button.
Mark your calendar for our online event May 20-22 (will you draw a star or a heart on the calendar square?). We are hoping to raise $4,800 in 48 hours for kids like Mira and Avery. We hope you’ll join the celebration.
Avery’s flower
