Did you know…
When children encounter art, either by looking at art or by making art, they are intrigued and inspired.
Why? Because art can be used to help children understand they are important. Art helps children to have self-confidence for their own expression in art. A most vital area of growth that we should be concerned with is the area of creative growth.
This vital area is being experienced by children in McGrath and Newhall Elementary Schools who are participating in the after school art enrichment classes.
The art classes were developed by the Santa Clarita Artists’ Association as a community outreach program. A community city grant for non-profits was written by the association and funding was granted.
The art classes were held at the Santa Clarita Artists’ Association’s Art Gallery in Newhall.
Students began to learn how to give their ideas a chance to grow in the lessons introduced by the art teacher. Mrs. Jaylene Armstrong, a retired art teacher from Madison, Wisconsin was the art teacher for the children.
The children began by learning to be aware of many shapes that are around them in their daily lives. Drawing was part of all of the lessons and using lines to create shapes for their designs. Mrs. Armstrong discussed with the children how we use many components of art everyday in our lives.
Art is everywhere.
Everything we use has been made by people as a product of some form of art and design. Our houses, clothes, furniture, cars, highways, buildings, trains, planes, factories all had to be designed by people and are referred to as applied art, folk art, popular art, practical art, technical art, fashion art, architectural art, computer art, digital art, graphic art, industrial art, scientific art, advertising art and many other forms of art and design.
Fine art is creating paintings, sculpture, drawings, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture and various forms of two and three dimensional art, which are found in museums and art galleries.
The children were asked what they learned in the art classes and they said, “I learned how to draw people and make different kinds of lines and shapes. I never knew how much fun art could be and I could mix colors. I love drawing and coloring. Art is essential in our lives and the children learned how much art is integral in their lives.
Offering after school art enrichment classes opened up new horizons for the children in the classes and created the presence of art in their lives and their parent’s awareness of the importance of art to their children.
Jaylene Armstrong, a retired art educator from Madison, Wisconsin, is a member of The Santa Clarita Artists’ Association Board of Directors.
For more information about After School Art Enrichment classes call 661-255-3050.