Art in a Shopping Cart

I finally have some free time to share. This project has taken more time and effort than I ever anticipated but has had such great rewards, such as the smiles and art of children. 

Many years ago when my Big Little was in elementary school she entered an art  at school. 

In late August, I discovered that this program was still in existence. The only catch is that the school your child attends needs to have a Chairman to organize it. 

My daughter's principal told me that in the last 8 years that he has been there the program was never introduced.  

Well...my burning desire {noted by most by now} had me raising my hand like a little child... Oh oh oh .... Pick me pick me please. 

I think my life is art... Does that make me an artist? I create every day...does that make me an artist? Well, maybe not in celebrated artists of natural ability to create masterpieces, but I think the desire to create art and do something about it at least qualifies me to share this feeling with others. 

I would like to share this with those that would like to listen. Not my words but a repeated thought;

"Each day is new. 

You can create a mood, share a deed through your natural born talents, create an act of service for someone in need. 

You can create something that did not exist the day before." 

Life is art.

I am not a master of any technique. But I can encourage others to use art to express themselves. This I can do. 

 I really thought about what has led me to this point...and why I cared so much about this...and it came full circle again, art is my happy place. It fills my soul. Much in the way the scriptures delighteth in me.  

It gives me a purpose to serve my children and allow them to create and express themselves. It nourishes their souls too...why not share this with others???

I took an online training class and was determined to do what I could to bring this program to life and put art back in school. 

The purpose of the program is to ENCOURGE children to create art with a purpose and a theme is provided. 

The theme is 

"The world would be a better place if..." 

I can do this!!! 

Just a small stumbling block- I was informed that the children don't really have time to create art in the classroom setting, unless it's part of their curriculum. Naturally I wondered if a program could be created after school to provide a time to do art for this purpose. 

  

Well...I felt compelled to do something...

Remember that day I went around lounging on tables??? This is when all this was really getting real!!! 

This was the day I would present my idea to the principal. 

He said, "yes"

I can't believe that was12 weeks ago... 

After the go ahead from the principal and then collaborating with the Afterschool coordinator, I made a definite plan for two days a month, 2 classes each day, one hour each, until the contests deadline in November, for a total of 6 classes. 

I packed all my crafty/artsy things into one of the schools shopping carts and went door to door sharing/meeting with each teacher & their students to introduce the PTA Reflections Art Contest and the new afterschool program I was going to provide so they could create art to enter the contest. 

From that day forward I referred to it as "Art in a Shopping Cart" in my mind and later created a sign and a new IG site just for my families art. 

On the first day I shared how art is in our lives everyday and how we just don't acknowledge it as art. Making your bed, cooking a meal, creating a mood, is art. While not considered a "visual art", it is art.

{I was thinking...we are all God's masterpieces and that we are special art pieces being molded everyday by Him.}

The students asked if I was an artist and I told them "I'm only a mom, and humbly consider myself an artist simly because I create things daily, but that technically I am not an artist...but I hope to be someday and they can too". 

I shared my ideas about art and art work and shared some stories of the artist In my life. 

Then I passed out paper and crayons and had them draw while I grabbed books randomly off the shelf and read to them while I floated around the room...at least it felt like it.

The first day there was only 12 in the first class and 14 in the second class. 

But that soon grew!!!

I'll continue in another post as this one is getting long and much more has happened. 

-from me to you w love, M