I judged the "Reflections" art contest at my son's school this morning......my head hurts....
Artistic talent is a gift......The talent I experienced today was breathtaking. I felt like some feel when a loved one dies....why is the world not stopping? Why are these children not heralded from the roof tops of every town! The amount of talent was nauseating. Children 8,9,10 years old capturing this years theme of "Beauty Is" in ways that some adults cannot grasp.
My favorite from and 8 year old was "Beauty is Love" in which she composed an incredible blue themed composition (oil crayons) featuring two white swans intertwined. In her description she wrote of the beauty in love through nature. Her swans were perfect structual swans...amazing.
Another 10 year old saw beauty in color and illustrated it with an amazing watercolor composition of artists materials. The compositional mastery was better then adults I've seen.
There were two writer participants who captured the theme using illustrative words in their compostions and poetry saying beauty is caring.... I just fell over, literally....I had to put my head on the table.
I've found my passion and vocation in life. These brilliant artists will not be overshadowed by academics. Academics are important, but as a support for their talent.....not the other way around!! How many artist have been lost...or lost their vocations because their talent was not deemed "worthy" by teachers, society, peers, or family. I remember reading about a boy who was constantly picked on in school. Teased as the class idiot. His self-esteem was so damaged he took a losing path and ended in jail. Turns out he is a brilliant artist. Something he demonstrated his whole life. How can this happen? How can teachers , parents, those influential adults not notice creative talent? What are academics for??? Academics are a foundation for the higher inspirations of art and literature.
Better yet...art can be a catalyst for teaching foundational academics. I helped in my son's classroom yesterday, and the students who were staring into space because they were asked to "write a description" of something were motivated by me telling them, don't just describe this.....put your passion and love into it. Do you love sports? Write about that! Animals? Make your character love animals !! They came alive when they realized they could put their own interest and passions into their project. It added an important dimension, a connection with themselves, who they are into their academics. How many of us sat in class in basically in an out of body experience because we were so bored by what was shoved into our minds and souls with NO attachement into who WE were as individuals.
All this emphasis on math and science....for what??? To make money??? What good is money if it can't be used for inspiration !! If there are no artist to inspire, what's your money gonna buy???
This group today will not go un-noticed ......I will make sure of that ! Stay tuned.......
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Wow! Lucky you! To be able to judge a child's passion, talent and individuality in written or illustrative form. A daunting task no doubt. What a pleasure it is to have children who use their imaginations! Often we over schedule our children, or perhaps the opposite leave them alone in front of a television or video game to entertain themselves with someone elses images and agenda. Agreed...art is not what it should be in public schools. The state of California sets standards of achievement that educational institutions are to follow in order to meet Academic Performanc Indexes. Then the state under funds the schools and expects teachers and students to perform better with less, all the while cutting funding for the very programs that develop and inspire children to dream, create and develop their artistic talent(s).
ReplyDeleteIt's a crime, no doubt. As a teacher it frustrates me that I must constantly perform better and do it with less and less funding, opportunities, development, etc. and to a more and more diverse and larger crowd. If you want to see artistic expression in the forefront of school agendas, write to your Governor, State Assembly, State Superintendent, and all of those who decide whether or not public funds are a priority to empower the educational process in this state. Perhaps a grass roots movement is what this state needs to get back on track and give a well-rounded education to their school-age population.
Thanks Lisa, you inspired me....I'm seriously thinking of starting a non-profit to address this issue. I am so appreciative of your comments and your insight. As a teacher(the greatest job in the world, and one that eventually everyone who is successful evolves into...look at Bill and Melinda Gates! They've created a school in San Diego!)I stand in solidarity with you against the constant pressure put upon you to perform. It seems schizophrenic. You and your students are expected to excell in diverse areas that are humanly not possible. A great book called "A Mind at a Time" by a pediatrician in NC addresses this subject superbly. Thanks again for your comments. Again, you've inspired me.
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