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For more information about the Grand Rapids Gallery Association, contact any member gallery or send an email to information@grga.org. |
Cultivating a Passion Children are natural artists. They are uninhibited, spontaneous, curious, and creative. Just watch a young child using pencil, crayon, or clay to present his view of their world. Children are joyful in their pursuit of art and thrilled with the results of their labor. No matter what the product may look like to others, they are content that they have represented what they have seen and felt. This sense of play and openness to artistic expression and appreciation should be encouraged and nurtured. One way to do this is by visiting art galleries. Many venues, such as the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park have exhibits, programs, and events created especially for families and children. Retail galleries, though primarily business-oriented, often have exhibits and shows that are of interest to children. Outdoor art fairs, exhibitions, and activities are ideal venues for family outings. Parents should check local papers and magazines, such as On-the-Town, for a calendar of events. Prepare your children for what to expect on their visit to a gallery. Talk about the artists and artwork that they will be viewing. Be clear about appropriate behavior, such as using their eyes to explore, not their hands, and use “inside voices” when talking. A hungry or tired child is not going to be very attentive, so plan accordingly. Ask questions to help stimulate a children’s curiosity and thinking, but let them know that there is no right or wrong way to look at art. Talk to them about color, form, and function. Let them tell you about what they like and why. Encourage them to imagine what they would create if they were the artist. There is no substitute for viewing real artwork in an up-close and personal way. Early exposure to art will enrich children’s lives, and these activities will enhance not only their individual creativity, but will expand their view of other people and cultures. Creative expression will be seen as a necessary part of their education and development, and they will find joy in the artistic process.
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