youth art show

[Jill]

I will be sponsoring a "art show" of the local middle school children's art work and am looking for any ideas you may have to make this event a success for the art department and myself.

I have arranged for the mayor to give a show award. A local print company to make cards of the works to sell, a cheesecake bakery will be handling food.

As this is my first show of any kind I am open to any ideas you might have. Also all the show proceeds will go to the art department.

Thanks for you help

Jill Hennes
Omro Gallery

 

[B. Newman]

Jill, you might check with the Art and Frame Council's website as the The Art & Framing Council has recently selected The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers as its ongoing charity affiliation. http://www.artandframingcouncil.org/affiliation.html

Maybe you'd get some ideas from them on what others have done.

Also check www.scholastic.com/artandwriting.

Betty

 

[Framerguy]

Jill,

I am not completely clear of the purpose of this art show. Is it to do something for the kids to encourage them to learn more about the arts or is it to promote your shop to the parents or both?

I have done a couple of kid's art shows and I always geared it to the kids. Hanging their art projects in your gallery will automatically bring in their parents. You could probably get some free ads from the local paper since you are donating all the proceeds to the art dept. of the school.

I wouldn't get too carried away with the frills and fanciness of catering and formal attire and all that for a kid's show. Keep it casual and focus on the kids and their art attempts and let the show flow on that basis. The parents will be proud of their kids and they will understand that you have tried to do something good for the school and the art students.

As an aside, I met Wyland at an art show at one of his gallery locations in Destin a few years ago. I was dressed in shorts (as usual) and a pullover T-shirt and I walked into a group of people who obviously were trying to "one-up" each other! Suits, evening gowns, jewels, heels, all the trappings of an evening of formal entertainment.

I melted into one of the back rooms of the gallery and was looking through a print bin at some of Wyland's marine prints when this guy comes up to me dressed in bluejeans and a plaid shirt and we struck up a conversation. I noted how out of place I felt at this apparently formal showing and he confided in me that I should not let it bother me as I was not alone in my feelings.

As I headed toward the door about 10 minutes later, I overheard somebody complimenting Wyland on his style of painting and the beautiful "whaling walls" that he has done. I looked around and here is this guy in bluejeans waving goodbye to me!! He was the center of the show and was the only one there (besides me) that looked anything like a comfortable person!

Point is keep the show casual in light of the art focus and make the kids and their art the center of attention and you will do fine.

Framerguy

 

[Jill]

The purpose of the show is to raise money for the middle schools art department, getting my name out on the street will be a by product of that. My plan is to display the children's art as though they were know artists. Something a lot higher class then the standard "look at my stuff up on the school hall walls thing". I will be donating matting and shrink wrapping of the paper art. A local printing company will be making greeting cards of the best pieces for sale, as a fund raiser.

My thinking was a 1 dollar at the door charge. This will be held at the local community center. My 500 square foot store will not handle any more then a couple of people at a time. A another local shop will handle catering for free...What I am looking for is a event that can become annual, that gives the young artists the feeling that they can be "real" artists.
My main thought was that there are a lot more uses for a art background then a sports background so we need to keep the funds for these programs available.

I was interested in any ideas you might have to make the event a success for the children and a real community event. I have been thinking of a Gallery showing type feel, rather then a schlep down to see little Johnnys crayon drawing thing.

Hope this explains my idea better.

Thanks for the help

Jill Hennes CPF
Omro Gallery

 

[framergirl]

I agree with Framerguy in keeping it casual. I had my first art show with a local elementary school. It was successful.

I ordered ribbons from www.award-ribbons.com for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners and participation ribbons for those selected to be displayed in my store for 2 weeks prior to judging. I selected local art judges to do the judging. Instead of spending tons on a caterer, I ordered 3 food trays from Costco. I ordered small prize items from Oriental Trading Co. to give each child that had submitted artwork, whether selected or not, plus got a local Pizza business to give me certificates for FREE child buffets (one with any adult purchase).

On the day of the show, I had the Principal say a few words, along with the Art teacher. Began giving out awards to each student and had our digital camera to take pictures of the students receiving their awards. It lasted about 2 hours, but the school is now excited to do this next year, along with the parents.

One thing I took into account is the attention span of the age group. Even 5th graders do not have a large attention span for a formal speaker. This is why I didn't have any. But main objective was to get the parents into my store and see my frame shop. Hope this helps.

Good luck on your event!

 

[Mitch]

Ladies and Gentlemen

As an art instructor for thirty years, I would like to make a formal request of all framers. When considering "children’s art" shows. Please be careful. Try to avoid competition!
I know that both the Nebraska Art Teachers Assn. and the National Art Teachers Assn. recommend that children’s art contests and competitions be avoided. A competition selecting one or a few student's work for prizes or display may discourage more students then those who are encouraged. For children, placing their work in a public place is enough of a reward. However, it is usually not enough for their parents. Parents and grandparents want the world to know that their child or grandchild is better than yours. I.e. Honor Student bumper stickers. Is this something we really want to encourage?

Most work produced in the classroom is produced to certain educational criteria. A work made to teach design might not be realistic and be quite good as a design. But, a judge whose stylistic preferences are mimesis may pass up an opportunity to honor a creative work

Sponsors for contests and competitive displays often have agendas. I have no problem with someone using artists for economic gain, if the artist is able to handle rejection and is given the choice to either participate or not. If an artist needs to be used, (tongue in cheek) so be it. I’ll just take my crayons and go home.

Lets try to encourage our children and help our art teachers and schools in non-competitive ways.


Thank you

 

[Jill]

Mitch
Thank yu for the sage advise..I have made only one requirement of the art teacher. That is that any child who would like to get to put a piece in the show. Also figured this would be more like 4H where everyone leaves with a ribbon.

Serinity
Thank you for the ribbon link I hadn't even thought it out that far.

Jill Hennes CPF