INTRODUCTION THE INDEPENDENT ART CENTER How to set up an art center: Encourage Independence Select a corner of the room or a table that will be the center of art activities. This area will be "child ready" with supplies at child level: scissors in a can, pencils, brushes, crayons, glue, tape, stapler, and other commonly used materials. Keep a supply of paper, newspaper, paper towels, collage items, sewing trims, ink pad, empty cups, and other items often used for art on hand. Always keep a scrap box filled and ready to go. Have a shelf or cupboard nearby at child level to hold materials. Use shoe boxes, plastic trays, coffee cans, or other inexpensive containers to organize materials. In all cases, remember that the art center will be dripped and splattered, so use materials than can be cleaned or materials that can be enjoyed without concern for ultimate cleanliness. Many activities will only need a refreshing of materials that are always on hand, needing little or no adult direction. Other activities will require some explanation for simple art techniques or safety. Children should, however, be supervised at all times. Most important, under no circumstances should an adult make a sample for the artist to copy. The art in this book is open-ended, and is provided to encourage each child to experience the process of creative art rather than a finished product. The finished product is an outcome of exploration and creativity, not the goal. Therefore, no finished product samples are necessary. Special art materials will be provided periodically in the center. Simple explanations of how to get started are often the only "teaching" necessary for these activities. Let creativity takes it course. You will be pleasantly surprised and often amazed at the outcomes of creative exploration by children of all ages. The adult in charge should keep an eye on the art center and assist in keeping it tidy and child ready. Of course, children should be responsible for cleaning up after themselves; thus, keep a trash bin and recycling containers handy, provide a dust broom and pan, a sink or bucket of soapy water, a sponge, and other cleaning materials. Encourage independence, encourage creativity, and encourage fun. And prepare to see amazing art process from the natural imaginations of children. Why a center? "The art center is a safe place to create." A center takes the pressure off a child to copy or compete with other children for style, speed, and quantity. A child should be able to work at the art center for as long as he needs, to create as many or as few expressions and explorations as he needs, and to create in his own way without an adult-made sample to copy. The art center feels I ike-a safe place to create and explore possibilities. The art center is therefore a creative place to explore and discover. The art center benefits the adult as well as the child. It takes very little preparation or planning to keep an art center supplied as compared to setting up and preparing specific art materials for a unique art project each day. Once a center is established, materials only need be added or changed when the supplies run low or a new idea pops into the picture. New ideas and supplies then become a part of the art center's regular supply; safety and basic techniques have been introduced, and the artist can then be independent and feel comfortable exploring and creating. Providing a new set of materials with no direction is an exciting experience for the artist and the adult. Children will use the materials as you might expect, and also, in entirely new and expressive ways. All artistic endeavor is unique and has merit. The artist should be able to move freely from the art center to other centers or activities upon completion of his art exploration. Simple rules such as cleaning up before leaving the center help keep things running smoothly. Help the artist out by setting up an area for drying projects, a cubby for work to take home or save, and a system of choosing other activities upon completion. Above all, each child should be encouraged to be independent in artistic process rather than striving for a finished product. Independence and responsibility in choosing materials, techniques, and then in cleaning up and moving on to something else are skills that learned early will benefit the child as he grows to adulthood. Watching children explore, discover, create, and succeed in the process of art is a wonderful experience for the adult. I always tell children, "There is no right way or wrong way for your art idea to turn out...there is only your way/' I've seen eyes light up time and time again as young artists realize that creativity is not a rigid science but rather is a process with no one to judge the experience but themselves. Remember, Process Not Product! Excerpted from Scribble Art: Independent Creative Art Experiences for Children by MaryAnn F. Kohl All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
