Benefits of Art

This really doesn't have any thing to do with food, but perhaps with just promoting good health.
I was reading an article in the Northwest District (LCMS) newsletter earlier today. It was about kids having art parties for their birthday instead of going to Chuck E. Cheese, etc.  It sounded like a good idea to me and so I thought of all of you birthday party mommy's out there. What a fun idea to have art supplies/mediums available to the party guests during the party as part of the activities.

Here is a bit of the article:

     Pablo Picasso is reputed to have said, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain one after growing up.”  Our Spokane newspaper, the Spokesman-Review, ran an article in June 2009 titled “More Parents Including Art in Birthday Events.” The article highlighted kids like Genevieve of Logan Elementary who chose an “art party” for her birthday over the madness of Chuck E. Cheese and other party places that market themselves to the birthday scene.      An art educator who owned the small studio which hosted Genevieve’s party commented in the article, “At a time when many schools are losing their art elective ... art parties can be fun for the whole family as well as for groups ... it is a community-building process. You have time to actually talk while making something.”      Partnering with local artists who love Jesus and love art, we rolled out spring and summer classes which included recycled metal arts, fired clay whistles, the study of Cubism through oil pastels and impressionism through water colors, and even guitar and voice lessons as participants learned to used their voice to rejoice. Each lesson includes an intentional faith lesson connecting the medium being explored to the message of salvation in Christ.

Well, you get the idea that some one thought of this and ran with the idea taking the concept into local Churches or whatever.

Some thoughts came to mind as I read the entire article:

• it's great to share art and its concepts with others
• art or the creative side of you is important to your overall health.
• why are schools cutting these programs when they are so important as an outlet to kids (along with PE programs and music programs) 
• how could my kids (grand-kids that is) use art to be of benefit to them
• how would I introduce it to them. (I'm trying with Kyle and Katelyn by using weaving looms and beading activities when they come, but maybe it could be more)
• what kinds of art would they be interested in. Painting? pottery? chalk? instruments (which I've sent all to Cindy) music appreciation? photography? cross stitch?
• it has to be interesting, fun, enjoyable, and something we can do together.
• what constitutes "art" or an art form?
• what do I really know about the world of art?
• who could I contact to help me with these activities...(um...gee, Brad & Jennifer???) DUH!
• I think it would be great fun to host an art party for kids...a primary class perhaps?? or the YSA?
• I don't think I'd start off with a message of salvation in Christ with this.
• Have you ever thought of including art in your kid's birthday parties or for an after school/saturday get together...a cub scout activity, a primary/sunday school get together or an RS mini class???

Some thoughts to ponder...