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Public School Arts is sucking the life from my 8 yr old son
Posted: Apr 17, 2008 in Things to do, Culture
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Help! My son has always been really bright and has said for the past 3 - 4 years he wants to be an artist and....fireman, policeman, whatever, but always an artist. At 2 or 3 yrs old he was creating magnificent geometric patterns from his colored blocks, etc. My problem? The boring, generic art projects at his school don't help him express his creative side, they clamp it down into a box that fits everyone. I need an arts program that doesn't meet on Saturday morning that he/we can enroll in that would give him an outlet for his talent. And don't, please, tell me the Parks dept has classes - it's a nice program but the same sort of thing. Sticking colored paped, sticks, leaves together all the same way to create the same thing. I heard of a program at Herron for moms and kids but it was on Saturday mornings. Anyone? Please! I'm really feeling he's missing out on a wonderful time of art expression...
you know, who's to say that he actually needs a class. What's wrong with free expression. Just get him some supplies, and let him do his own thing. If you are looking for structure just check out some sites on the internet, and give him a weekend project or something like that.
Yeah, he's got lots of art supplies at home and he uses them almost daily. I used to be an art major and so I've shown him some things. He really liked it when his teacher showed him proportions of a head and where ears, eyes, etc should be located. That was cool, I'd forgotten about that. But I wish there was someplace I could take him - oh, once a month even, that he could get some instruction from an artist who can teach him more things like that. This was the exception to the rule at school, ya know?
I'm all about giving him a corner of a room with a table and some where to store supplies and let him go at it! Worked for me as a kid and it was much better than someone telling me a flower had to be red with a green stem and abstract was just a 'mess.' It might take a direction or a category from you to get him started - but let him run with it. If you're looking foor a structured class, i know madalena art gallery in carmel has some painting classes in the evenings for 7-14 year olds, and i'm sure there are several others around.
Look into classes at the Indianapolis Art Center, 317.255.2464; 820 East 67th Street. www.indplsartcenter.org It's a great facility. Classes are generally taught by practicing artists and in my experience generally more "serious" than other programs around town. Of course they're also more expensive; for example a ceramics class for 7-year-olds is $128. Costs are somewhat less for members.
I second the Art Center recommendation. I had a fantastic time there as a kid and again later as a kid's summer camp art instructor (so I may be a little biased). For me, it was a great education, and a great time. You could opt for him to do specific categories a la carte (sculpture, ceramics, painting, papermaking, etc.) or, like the summer camp, get a sampler platter of good stuff.
Neither one of my parents would claim to be extremely artistic (like you as an art major) but by the time I was in high school they had to create an 'independent studies' art course for me to keep me exploring. Sounds like your kid could be way ahead of that curve.
Great! I went to their web site and am going to figure out a way to come up with the money. We'll discuss the summer class schedule tonight. Thanks for all your ideas!
If you live on the south side of Indianapolis, try The Southside Art League at 299 Broadway, Greenwood. They have classes for kids and they are reasonably priced. They also promote local artist talent.
I'm all about giving him a corner of a room with a table and some ...
Reading this has put Harry Chapin's song 'Flowers are Red' in my head. Here's a video of him performing it. During my first few years of elementary school I was so afraid of my art teacher. She was strict, loud, intimidating and I hated it! I would pretend to be sick on art class days to avoid going. By later elementary though, I ended up joining the Artistically Talented program, which if available at your son's school, you should consider checking out. It had me drawing all the time and I eventually chose studio art as my major in college.
Besides what others have already mentioned, I recommend taking a look at what classes or programs your local (or the central) library has to offer. Also, check out some art books for your son to look at. My favorite growin up was Mark Kistler and I still browse through a book of his that I have. He might enjoy the new Comic Book Heroes exhibit at the Children's Museum.
You would also be surprised how many artists offer (or would offer) classes if you ask. I think that would work well especially with the once-a-month plan. If your child is self-motivated you can also buy books for him to learn some techniques from when you don't have time to help. Good luck.
check out the Studio School & Gallery in Irvington, studioschoolgallery.com.