Click here for Stephanie Sulzman’s Resume
When a child enters my art studio, he or she is treated as an artist. S/he will be given the tools and inspiration to create unique works of art based on his own experiences. A work of art is more than just colors on a piece of paper. It is the inside of the artist coming out to share what others can’t see.
Children will do more than just draw and paint things on paper. They will be exposed to:
the works of famous artists
the history of the world
the values and traditions of other cultures
various techniques and methods of creating unique works of art
Art is not limited to making things. Sometimes we will spend time interpreting, describing, analyzing, or judging a work of art. This helps us become ‘ART SMART’, boosts learning in other subject areas, and advances the motivation to learn.
Art does not stand alone. Lessons are related to other subject areas such as:
math (measuring, estimating, geometry, spatial relationships, proportion)
social studies (cultures, history, geography, traditions from around the world)
language arts (story telling, sequencing, discussion of art)
reading (art related vocabulary and use of art text books, understanding art works)
science (color theory, human body)
With exposure to the materials, methods and techniques learned, children will be advance their fine-motor skills, improve observational skills, develop hand-eye coordination, and learn to express their inner thoughts and feelings.
Observational skills are important in all areas of learning, and all areas of life. Creating an object to call one’s own is a superior brain-building activity compared to watching TV (someone else’s creation). EVERY child deserves that opportunity!.
Most of these artworks in the galleries were projects assigned to them in art class. Although there were certain concepts or design techniques the students were to learn and use for the project, all projects were very open ended, leaving the final appearance of the artworks up to the students. Some pieces took days, and some even took weeks to complete from start to finish!
Creating art is an essential form of communication for young people. It gives them a chance to invent something they can really call their own. Children need time to invent, discover, and create things on their own in their free time. How about next time your child wants to play a video game, have him or her design a plan for a new video game instead! Read a book, but write one too! Listen to a song, but sing your own as well! Without dreamers, inventors, creators, and doers, this world would be a pretty boring place to be.
