Art from His Heart
A number of years ago I was assigned to teach art classes twice a week to grades two through six in an elementary school in Southern California. The goal of this pilot program was to determine what kind of impact creative expression might have on the academic lives of elementary school students.
A number of years ago I was assigned to teach art classes twice a week to grades two through six in an elementary school in Southern California. The goal of this pilot program was to determine what kind of impact creative expression might have on the academic lives of elementary school students.
For six months I taught children how to enhance their drawing and painting skills by providing a nurturing, fun, and supportive environment. My goal was to empower these children through their creativity, and in turn improve their self confidence and self esteem.
I first explained to these students that no one was going to judge their art work because it was going to be an expression of their heart. Since everyone’s heart was precious, we would respect how each person chose to express themselves. There was no right or wrong way to share what was inside of them. Whatever they were thinking or feeling they could communicate to the rest of us through the medium of art that was available to them in the classroom.
When their art work was completed, students were given a choice as to how they wanted to present it to the class. They could choose to share their art with the rest of the class, and explain what prompted them to make the picture, or they could pass on the sharing and choose to keep that personal information to themselves. Additionally, they could choose to have their art work displayed on the classroom wall for a period of time, or they could choose to take it home right away. It was always their decision.
After several weeks of working with these students, a number of teachers from other classes began seeking me out. They wanted to let me know of the changes that were taking place in their students. The grades of failing students began to improve. Shy students who would never open their mouths when questions were asked began to volunteer answers. Students with behavior problems seemed calmer and more able to control their emotions. They seemed to have an improved sense of well-being. Classrooms were becoming a more peaceful place because students were treating each other with more respect and kindness.
In essence, the outcome of this pilot project was a great success! Word got around to other schools, and they wanted to hire me as a kind of “floating” art teacher to come and do the same program in their schools. Unfortunately, the school district claimed there was not enough money in the school budget to add art to the school curriculum.
Nevertheless, what I learned from these students was life-changing! By providing a safe and caring outlet for self-expression, children of various ages were able to not only access their creativity, but also able to slowly work through academic and behavioral problems, along with some very difficult issues in their personal lives. These concerns ranged from learning disabilities, such as dyslexia and ADD, to various anxieties and stress disorders due to the emotional trauma caused by divorce or the death of a loved one.
After seeing the amazing impact that my teaching of “Art from the Heart” had on the lives of children, I decided that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the elderly population—seniors in assisted living facilities who are often forgotten, but have lessons to teach us from the “school of life”.
Just as every season has its own time and beauty, so every season in our lives brings us a little closer to the time when we must choose to see the inner beauty of a person before we see the outer frailties.
My goal for teaching art to the elderly population is to help them not only age with grace, but also provide them with an opportunity to express themselves creatively. What better way to face the challenges that lie ahead of us than to paint a picture of what is in our hearts today.
Families will treasure the “art from the heart" that their elderly loved ones create. Even if disease takes away the elderly loved one’s ability to communicate effectively, a picture they have painted expressing some earlier memory may bring healing to others. Perhaps it will become a keepsake that will be worth more than a thousand words!
