There is a well-known quote by Pablo Picasso, which goes like this:
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
Perhaps these words appeal to me because they touch on the delightful imagination a child possesses, and how freely that creativity is expressed through art with little fear or hesitation. Taking a look at some of our collection items that show children in their element, absorbed in their art, I noticed that many photographers have similarly been drawn to capturing those moments of creativity and creation that sometimes feel lost to adults. Perhaps this desire to maintain the artist within is one of the reasons Peter Pan never wanted to grow up!
As seen in the image above, growing children are often in classes, developing their skills. Below, we see one young man learning to draw from a radio broadcast!
There is also something most charming about letting creativity run wild! Below, two youngsters let loose on their easels!
In a more recent photo, things look a little different, with bright screens and neon lights. Below, Carol Highsmith captured such a scene of youngsters learning how to create art on computers in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.
Learn More:
- Although examples of children’s art are not prolific in Prints and Photographs Division collections, they sometimes come in with other materials. Take a look at the artwork in this series of birthday cards from children to Rosa Parks!
- Dig into a selection of Work Projects Administration (WPA) posters like the one to the right, which feature art classes for children!
- See more images relating to art education.
- Explore teaching resources for inspiring learning and creativity.
Comments
I agree with Picaso regarding children being artist until they grow up. I am an environmental artist who create art from my household trash, found and reclaimed materials.
I worked with foster children where we created sculptures from popsicle sticks, plastic bottles and plastic bottle caps. Watching them was magical because it taught me that art help children to articulate.
The sad thing, is that children do not grow out of being artists- they are talked out of it by the adults, whether the adults be parents or teachers. In fact, when governments have fiscals problems, due to the mismanagement of resources, they cut art from their schools.
As an artist, I believe that our children are not doing so good in math or science either because there is no art. I believe that :Art, math and science are three entities that are all interdependent. Art nourishes the imaginations of the youths for math and the sciences.