The observation of creative courage in grade school.

Let me start off with a story...this is in fact a blog, a little more into the mind of Kellene, as well as a beautiful way to connect with you, the reader.

I remember being in middles school in Ohio and we had taken the science class period (which I loved) for career day. Our corn sprouts were growing in the windows for observation of the seed into plant growing process and I remember being sat in the back row.

We had at least five different types of career paths talk with us about what they do. Our teacher gave us a handout on the different speakers with a summary of what they did. Being an artist at a young age I hand to keep my hands busy and decided to draw each of the presenters next to their summary.

Out of the five presenting I can only remember the bakery owner. The likeness of her portrait on the page (to me) was spot on. It captured her personality, passion, and vivacious attitude of getting to be a small business owner and do what she loves.

That was 30 years ago.

She made a lasting impression on me and I would like to think that interaction planted a seed that contributed to owning my own business today. Most importantly doing something I am bursting at the seams passionate about.

This blog entry is a comparison of elementary verse high school and the observance of whimsical imagination. Then how it is changed.

Working in schools

Through Partners in Rural Impact (PRI) I have the privilege to be a teaching artist in schools across the Kentucky region. Each school is different and brings a new project and wonderful opportunity to cultivate creativity and inspire youth. These projects are cross curriculum, and I integrate problem solving, and career readiness into my plans.

Elementary

The sky is the limit. The courage and fearlessness that this age holds is a wonderous thing. I asked students to participate in drawing what it means to be "their school mascot". They gave positive responses and understood the assignment. Working together on a giant sheet of paper the creativity and imagination pour out like a spring from the earth. The energy and enthusiasm knows no bounds.

These students believe they can be anything, do anything, and create without bounds.

High school

Willingness to try and filled with an exuberant amount of talent. These young artists move with calculated risk and hold onto every word. They can achieve the desires outcome in their work but are overly critical and lack the confidence.

What happened in middle school and what are we telling our youth about art?

This question I am just throwing out into the atmosphere for you to think on. Because middle school is a delicate age of figuring yourself out. Your personality, likes, and dislikes created friend groups that you would grow with into high school.

So as these middle schoolers are growing and learning, what are we telling them and how are we encouraging or stifling their dreams?

When asking student's "how many want to pursue a career in the arts", many of them raise their hand. I'll follow that question up with "what type of art they would like to do". Graphic design, photography, painter are their responses. Then I will ask more specific questions to their responses as to what field of work they may want to do.

Then this next question really cuts me to the quick... "how many of your parents don't think art is a career worth pursuing?"

Every.....single.....hand....goes up.

Wow!

I have a lot of comments on this and it may be one for another blog. Or if you ever get to hear me speak to students, community, parents, teachers.....I will glad talk about this myth of "starving artist".

Where did adults learn to silence their inner child and creativeness?

What happened to taking a risk?

Why did you give up on dreams?

And when did failure become a bad thing that we cannot learn from?

To keep from getting on a soapbox, I'm just going to leave you all with those questions.

Because so much of what we enjoy in life is developed and created by artists. "Art ultimately becomes an integral part of our existence." <-- sound familiar? It better because it's part of my mission statement.

So if art isn't a career, why do we, as adults look for ways to cultivate creativity? Have a creative therapy or release? Why do we seek out entertainment and fun things to do? Paint night with wine, decals on a truck, pottery class, designing turkey calls or fishing flies, and a multitude of other things. Think about it. Art is all around you. How are we showing up for our youth if the youth is our future?

I hope to be a glimpse of inspiration and encouragement for our youth to pursue their dreams, much like the baker was for me in gradeschool.

**Following thoughts and questions on this topic? Send me an email :)

Kellene.turner.art@gmail.com

Thank you for reading and sticking with me through this topic. -KTurner