Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Back to School - Heather

Wasn't the best part of school the art projects?  The holiday crafts, poster paint, pinch pots, presents for your mom (usually something with Popsicle sticks and your school photo) - ah good times.

Regular art classes in public schools are a rare luxury.  
Here is a website with some great advocacy resources for keeping art in the schools. http://www.keepartinschools.org/

Invest in the future - volunteer at a local public school
You could do a drawing session, a bookmaking session, many schools have mentor reading programs or participate in a career day. 

Get Schooled with the School Visit Experts
If you are a published author or illustrator this blog has all the information you need on creating successful school visits as part of our career.

5 comments:

  1. Great post, Heather. Cute critters and crafts! And all I wrote about was huffing new school supplies-LOL! I think the loss of the arts in schools is one of the scariest things. I'm so grateful I'll be able to give my kids some kind of art education despite/in spite of what the school system may offer.

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  2. I sometimes think my kid has an unfair advantage with all of the art she gets. The kids are starving for self expression. I know how I felt as a kid-shy everywhere but the art room. When I think about kids that would be like that and don't have it- it's heartbreaking. It's a missed opportunity to discover who you are and what you can do. On an up note; The drawings are great- how did you do these?

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  3. Such a great post Heather! I love the links and informative aspect of it as well as your adorable sketches! I was wondering how you did these too? It looks like your print style!

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  4. Thanks girls - the sketch is done in pencil and in photoshop. I was trying to work up something that looked more like my prints in the sketch stage.

    I think it's great that we can raise our kids with that art influence - they will be better peeps for it.

    I think in general the school system's greatest failing is creating test-takers instead of critical thinkers. Valuing arts is part of that critical thinking process.

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  5. Love your characters, Heather! Sweet and so endearing!
    Love the memories of school art supplies and projects.

    Wonderful blog post. Thanks!!

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