Christmas Memories

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Norman Rockwell was cited in 1957 by the

United States Chamber of Commerce as

"A Great Living American" saying

"Through the magic of your talent, the folks next door--their gentle sorrows, their modest joys--have enriched our own lives and given us new insight into our countrymen."

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Especially at Christmas, Rockwell seems to

remind us of simpler times.

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He painted endless scenes depicting holidays.  At the age of 15, a parishioner of his family's church employed him to 

create Christmas Card designs.  As an adult, he was a

regular at Hallmark.  The Saturday Evening Post assigned their Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's covers to their most popular illustrators, including Rockwell.

He painted several homecoming images of American veterans during World War II. He did many 

illustrations inspired by Charles Dickens and often liked to talk about how his dad read Dickens' tales to him and his brother after they had finished their schoolwork.

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In today's world where everything

seems so rushed and time goes so fast, it's refreshing to stop for a moment. Escape into days gone by and into the world of Norman Rockwell.

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As America's most beloved illustrator, Rockwell is as synonymous with the holidays as Santa Claus himself.

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Art, like music, has a way of immediately 

transporting us back in time to where we can see,

hear, smell, maybe even taste memories

from our past. Let's all take a moment (or hopefully even longer) to slow down, reflect on what is most important in our lives. Let's take some time to focus on loved ones, create new memories and reflect on the cherished memories of the past. While we may not feel compatible with the skill of some of the greats like Rockwell, let's take some time to document these moments with words, photographs, paint, pencils, crayons whatever medium will help keep these precious memories alive for years to come!  

Acts of Kindness

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 We had the fun opportunity this week to deliver

some Young at Art bags to

The Christmas Box International!

If you are not familiar with this organization, 

they provide assistance to prevent child abuse

and services to improve the quality of life for 

children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned.

Their motto is simple:

Every child deserves a childhood

You can learn more about them on their website

thechristmasboxhouse.org

We couldn't agree more!  We are very honored that

they would use some of our art bags to help

further their cause.

We hope that much good can come from our small contribution and that we can continue to

be of help to them and other great organizations 

like them.

Thank you to Heather for visiting with us and accepting our art bags!  This is a very busy time

of year for them!

Our mission is to inspire and encourage all children

to be artists by providing basic tools and inspiration for them to create.

Art allows us all an escape

 and the chance to express ourselves when we might not know how to otherwise.

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With your help, we will continue to donate art bags 

to children in shelters such as this and in hospitals.

You can help by purchasing an art bag for a young 

artist in your life.  You will receive a canvas bag

with an artist activity book, a sketch pad, crayons, markers, and colored pencils.

We will then give a bag to a child in need who could use

some encouragement and inspiration.

We hope you will join us in our efforts to

make a difference!

young-at-art.com

www.etsy.com/shop/weareyoungatart

Another Delivery!!

On the 16th of November, we were able to deliver more Young at Art bags!  This time they were given to Shriner's Hospital for Children.  What a wonderful organization!

Shriner's Hospital for Children provides orthopaedic care regardless of the family's ability to pay.

Laura Lewis told us that "we love the children to still be kids even though they are in a hospital.  Kids love to be creative.  The art bags will allow the kids to be just 

that--creative. Being creative allows you an escape. For patients at Shriner's Hospital, the escape is sometimes just what the doctor ordered."

MJ Miller, Director of Development said, the art bags "will help make a difference in the lives of the children we serve and further our mission.  By working together we can truly build a better tomorrow for kids."

These comments tell us that what we are doing is worthwhile and needed.  We hope you will join us in our efforts to provide all children with inspiration and tools to discover the wonderful world of art.  When you purchase a Young at Art bag, you will receive a bag for a child on your list, and we will then give one to a child in a hospital or shelter. 

Together we can make 

a difference!

     (Young at art bags make great Christmas gifts... just sayin'...)  ;)

young-at-art.com

etsy.com/shop/weareyoungatart

Exciting Announcement

We are very excited to announce that our Young at Art bags will be available in the gift shop of the Bountiful Davis Art Center for the holidays.

BDAC has a beautiful new home on main street in Bountiful! If you have never been there, it's worth planning a visit.  One of our favorite programs is their monthly Family Art Night. 

On the fourth Monday of each month you can attend a family activity from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.  

You can play a game of "I Spy" based on their current exhibit.

There is always a fun art project to do, and of course refreshments!!

And the best part of all, it's FREE!!

BDAC is located at 90 North Main Street in Bountiful, Utah. To find out more about their exhibitions and programs, check out their website at bdac.org.  And don't forget to stop by their gift shop and pick up one of our Young at ART bag!

Wishing you all a very safe, healthy, and 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Lovin' the Bag

Emily Thomas from "Mom Struggling Well" was kind enough to send us her thoughts on the bag.  We would like to share!

"I wanted to tell y'all about a new small business I found that was created to give back to the community. As an RN I love the heart behind this. It was started by a family who spent loads of time in the hospital with their sick child. They created an art bag that has crayons, colored pencils, markers and a blank sketch book. But it also has an activity book with a brief history of each artist (with fun facts about them that kids like) and then an art assignment based on the artist. My kids were HUGE fans of the bag and since the girl child knew who all the artists were already she reasoned that she was very cultured indeed. The best part: when you buy a bag, they give a bag to a child in the hospital. So good!! Just wanted to let you know about them in case that sounds as cool to you as it did to me! Young-at-art.com"

We are so grateful for those who are helping us spread the word. We hope it will continue so we can continue to donate more and more bags!!

Thank you Emily! 

Make Something Beautiful

According to the New York Center for Arts Education, one of the many benefits of exposing children to art is that they can practice problem-solving skills and critical-thinking skills. 

"Physiologically, the human brain consists of 2 parts, the left and the right hemisphere.  The left brain is used in logical thinking and analytical processes.  This is typically what is trained in school work that consists of math, reading and science.  The right brain is used in emotional perception, intuition and creativity.  It is the right brain that is mainly used when a person is involved in creative endeavors such as making art.  It is this part of the brain that typical school environment neglects to train.

It is shown that when gifted kids solve problems in their areas of giftedness, there is increased electrical activity in both hemispheres.  It appears that for the brain to be efficient, the two hemispheres of the brains must work together.  By stimulating and exercising the right hemisphere of the brain, the arts strengthen the connection between the hemispheres. Kids should be exposed to the arts as their cognitive skills mature so that their right brain will be as developed as the left, and both hemispheres work in tandem, thus achieving the full potential of the mind.

Aside from the physiological effects, the New York Center for Arts Education also lists other benefits of exposing children to art:

• Your kid learns to think creatively, with an open mind
• Your kid learns to observe and describe, analyze and interpret
• Your kid learns to express feelings, with or without words.
• Your kid practices problem-solving skills, critical-thinking skills, dance, music, theater and art-making skills, language and vocabulary of the arts
• Your kid discovers that there is more than one right answer, multiple points of view
• School can be fun – playing can be learning
• Your kid learns to collaborate with other children and with adults
• Arts introduce children to cultures from around the world
• Your kid can blossom and excel in the arts.  Even with physical, emotional or learning challenges, can experience success in the arts.
• Arts build confidence.  Because there is not just one right way to make art, every child can feel pride in his or her original artistic creations.
• Arts build community.  Schools with a variety of differences can celebrate the arts as one community.

According to Kimberly Sheridan, Ed.D., coauthor of Studio Thinking: The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education, “”It’s not as easy to test the skills that children learn from the arts, but that doesn’t make them any less important”  

Source: http://www.raisesmartkid.com/3-to-6-years-old/4-articles/33-benefits-of-arts-to-kids

                                            Ella, Age 7

First Donation Delivery!!!

Source

       Last week we had the amazing experience of delivering our first set of Young at Art bags!  All our planning, dreaming, and working is starting to come together and it is so much fun!!

   Half of the bags we gave to the hospital will be used in the School Zone.  "School is a normal part of a child's day.  In a hospital, school work can provide a degree of normalcy and offer a positive distraction.

   The School Zone is a new, dynamic learning environment and part of School Services at Primary Children's Hospital.  Patients, family members and hospital staff may participate in academic programming, individualized tutoring and literacy activities in the School Zone.  The School Zone includes:  a children's library and reading nook, computer work stations and tutoring staff." 

This cute lady is Jody, the teacher.  She took time to tell us a little about the school.  She said that when a child is  there in this room, for just a short time, they don't feel like a sick child in a hospital but a just a regular kid "in school". 

In a much smaller way, we hope to accomplish somewhat the same thing, to give a child, sick or well, inspiration and tools to escape into the wonderful world of art and into the wonderful world of their own imagination.

We hope you will join us in our Young at ART project!

youngatart2015@gmail.com

young-at-art.com

Etsy.com/shop/weareyoungatart

ART POWER!

 

 A report by Americans for the Arts states that young people who participate regularly in the arts (three hours a day on three days each week through one full year) are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to participate in a math and science fair or to win an award for writing an essay or poem than children who do not participate.

Source

 So to help make some powerful kids we have some quick easy ideas for some fun projects. 

-Trace your hand multiples times overlapping on a piece of paper. Color in the different shapes to make an abstract work of art.

- Use the fall leaves to make create a picture.

- Draw a picture of yourself in your Halloween costume!

We'd love to post your work in our gallery at www.young-at-art.com!  You can email your creations to youngatart2015@gmail.com

Happy creating!!

Gift: A thing given willingly to someone

Another season of gift giving is almost upon us. This year we would like to invite you to give the gift of art to a young person in your life!  A Young at ART  bag provides a book telling of master artists and shows examples of their work.   It provides a sketch pad, crayons, colored pencils, and markers.  Help them to learn how these artists started and inspire them to create their own masterpieces!  And the best part is--you will also be giving a gift to a child in need!  Two for one gift giving!

A month or two ago, we took an afternoon and visited with some wonderful people.  These people work each day in an environment where hurting children come for help.   Some of these children hurt because they are sick.  Some hurt because they have handicaps.  Some have been hurt by others.

We went with the hope that we, in some small way, might be able to bring a touch of joy to some of these children.  Maybe, in some small way, we could provide an escape from whatever pain they may be in.  Providing an avenue for them to create their own art, might in some small way, inspire and encourage them.

What we found made us both happy and sad.  Yes, there is a need and a desire for our little art bags!  That makes us happy.  But--there is more need than we could supply at one time. That made us sad to have so many children hurting.


"A kind gesture can reach a wound that only                  compassion can heal"
                                                                                                                Steve Marabolia


So, dear friend, we would like to invite you to join us in a double gift giving adventure.  With the purchase of a Young at ART bag, you can give a gift of art supplies and artist inspiration to someone you know and, at the same time, a child in need of encouragement will receive one also.

Bags can be purchased on our website at young-at-art.com for $25.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at youngatart2015@gmail.com.   May the upcoming holiday season be happy, creative, and fulfilling for us all!!

young-at-art.com

Pablo Picasso

Did you know that when Pablo was baptized, he was named after various saints and relatives? His full name is: Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Martyr Patricio Clito Ruíz y Picasso! Wow! That's a mouthful!  

Pablo painted using different styles throughout his career. His art has been put into categories according to the styles he used. First is the Blue Period from 1901-1904 where he used mainly blues and greens like this painting called "Old Guitarist". How does this painting make you feel? 

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The Rose Period was from 1905-1907 where he used reds, oranges and pinks like in this painting called "Woman with Loaves".  How is this painting different from the first one?

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The African-Influenced Period was from 1908-1909. Here is a painting called "Brick Factory at Tortosa" Can you see the the African Influence in this painting?

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His Cubism period was from 1909-1919 and is probably his most recognized period. Why do you think this period is called Cubism?

Which period do you like best? Why? For Pablo's birthday we would love for you to create your own art work and email it to us so we can display it on our website! You can use one of the styles Picasso used or create something totally different and unique, it's up to you! All we need is a picture of the artwork with your first name and age! We are so excited to see what you create!!

youngatart2015@gmail.com

Picasso facts:

http://mrnussbaum.com/pablo-picasso/

http://www.mykidsart.com.au/Pablo_Picasso_Famous_Artists_My_Kids_Art.html

Happy Birthday Pablo!!!

Source

ATTENTION ALL YOUNG ARTISTS!!

(AND NOT SO YOUNG TOO)

October 25 is the birth date of 

Pablo Picasso

and we want to celebrate!!

Please join us in a birthday celebration from now 

through the 25th!

Pablo believed all children are artists

so in honor of his birthday we would like all

young artists (age1-99) to email us some of your artwork

that we can post on our website and on our

Facebook page!

***

Please join our birthday party today

by emailing your artwork to

youngatart2015@gmail.com
along with your first name, age, and title of the art.
***

Feel free to invite your friends to join in the fun!

Source

The Color Red

Red is an amazing color. If you were the color red, you could be just about anything you wanted!

POWERFUL.  If you were red,  you could be strong enough to make cars stop at a stop sign or stop light.

DELICIOUS. If you were red, you could taste delicious like an apple, a strawberry, a tomato or a cherry.

 FAST. If you were red, you could be fast! You could be a shiny red sports car or a great big firetruck rushing to save the day!

BEAUTIFUL. If you were red, you could be as beautiful as a rose or a poppy, as bright as a light on a Christmas tree, or as soft as a velvet bow.

Source

People notice red, that is all there is to it.

So tell us, what would you be if you were the color red?

Sunshine and dandilions

Found on shewandersshefinds.com

YELLOW

Yellow is the row of sunflowers I planted around the sandbox.

The bright kernels on a cob of corn.

The sweet bouquet of freshly picked dandelions my kids bring me with big smiles on their faces.

The loud pants I wore to high school football games to show my school spirit.

The sunrise.

A new box of #2 pencils.

Found on bloglovin.com

Yellow is happy

optimism

fun

carefree

bright

enthusiasm

sunshine

Found on codythebutterfly.blogspot.com

Van Gogh said yellow stands for the sun.  Are you the kind of person who likes bright sunny warm days?  Or more like me, who prefers a good storm?  Are you a yellow personality or more of a cool color by nature?  

Our Young at ART Journey

Pablo Picasso once said, "All children are artists, the problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up."

We strongly agree with Pablo.  This quote has become somewhat of a theme for us.  We welcome you to the beginning of our journey with Young at ART and hope you will stay along for the ride! 

Our map is laid out. It curves through studios, galleries, and museums.  It climbs mountains of color, shapes, and forms, we'll visit with painters, sculptors, and teachers.  We'll carve through tunnels of clay, marble, and stone and brush by painted sunsets of pink, yellow, and orange!

Who knows what discoveries await us as we travel this road!  In the words of Dr. Seuss, "Oh the places we'll go!!"  Please join us in our journey through ART!