“I begin with an idea and then it becomes something else” – Pablo Picasso
Process Art. Those words get thrown about a lot these days, and they sound sort of self-explanatory, but here is what they mean to me, as a Pre-K and Art teacher: Process Art is all about the doing and the making, and less about the end result. The end result is nice, absolutely, but it’s the yummy, delicious, messy stuff in the middle that’s where the magic happens.
This summer at Lupine Lane, I will be facilitating a week long Genre Camp, The Heart of Art, where we will work together to create a collection of art that is as unique to each child as their own heart! We will begin by creating our very own sketchbooks, and then we’ll learn new methods, build specific skills, get exposed to different artists, and have time for open-ended free art every day. We’ll focus on still-life drawing, cartoon/anime, street art/illustrating song lyrics, mixed-media art, and mandala drawings. Going deep into the entire process of art and discovering who you are as an artist is an experience that I believe that all children should have!
Every year that I have taught, I have incorporated more and more process art into my classroom curriculum because I have seen the effects it has on the kids I teach. Leaving time in the day for open-ended free art time has allowed me to see so much: who works independently, who likes to collaborate, who loves paint, who loves detail drawing, etc. More importantly, the children have become so skilled at knowing what they want to use and what they don’t, and this is paramount in expressing emotional needs as they grow!
This article here is a great reference point for anyone needing deeper insight into why process art is so important. The article points out that the bigger picture when it comes to art instruction and education is that children need to love art to do art. They have to get messy, make mistakes, try new ideas, take risks, and build their imagination. Children are deeply engaged in so much when they move paint across the page or draw with a pencil or make a sculpture- they are making decisions, thinking independently, and beginning to trust themselves. These are the first steps in discovering who you are!
If you would like your child to participate in this creative and inspiring experience, from June 3-7, take a look at the link below!