I believe that art belongs in school. I believe it deserves a front and center spot, not cramped into a basement with no ventilation and no sink. This is how my sons experience art in school. Their teacher delivers with nary a hint of ennui as if she were in a light filled, spacious room, not missing a beat as she injects a love for art and freedom for creative thinking into my sons. My otherwise testosteroney boys love to doodle, draw cartoons, paint on canvas, and sketch (on anything from the margins of their homework notebook to the arm of the leather loveseat…in Sharpie. I wish I were making this up.) We enjoy First Friday art walks every month, and the boys love to visit their art teacher’s gallery space, where they also take summer art classes that have been fantastic. In fact, the only framed art in our guest room are pieces that Bird and Deal created in Ms. Powers’ class. They would be frame-worthy even if my own children didn’t create them!
The importance of art in education is often overlooked in this maniacal testing culture of ours. There are countless studies to support this, but all I need are the excitedly told tales and pastel colored fingers of my sons to verify this bit of no-duh information.
I am happy to share ways you can help stock up our art teacher’s classroom with the help of Blick Art Materials “Art Room Aid” program. Art Room Aid is helping teachers across the country enlist the aid of parents, families, friends, and other art advocates to fund their art projects and keep creative learning going. Help ensure that art continues to play a role in our children’s lives and spread the word about Art Room Aid in your community!
Here is our teacher’s wish list. Every little bit helps provide children the materials they need to unleash their creative spirit (particularly important in a culture that continues to squash imagination). Viva l’art!
This post is in partnership with The Motherhood. I was not compensated for my post or my opinions, but my sons’ art teacher will receive a $100 donation toward her wish list.