Art with a Heart
It is never too soon
to introduce children to arts and culture.
Most of us have heard of expectant
mothers who play classical music to their expanding stomachs.
Or of the babies who are propped in front of Picasso’s.
We don’t go to such lengths
at Investing in Children but we wholeheartedly believe exposure
to arts and culture is an opportunity that should be available
to all children. It’s crucial to the development and well-being
of children that they see, touch, feel and hear all the riches
that arts and culture can offer.
To enhance this outlook the board
of directors has deemed that 2005 be designated the Year of Arts
and Culture at Investing in Children. This challenges and excites
us to create more opportunities for children in this area, besides
all the other great work we do.
Our Arts Adventure students and staff
have risen to the occasion. Just a few days after school started
this fall, Arts Adventure participants gathered in the Northbrae
area to work with Grand Bend artist Vic Jansky.
A former art teacher in Czech Republic,
and a well respected member of the River Road Art Gallery group
in Grand Bend, Mr. Jansky came to the London for the day to encourage
our young artists in oil painting.
These works will be part of an exciting
new venture for Investing in Children. This winter, from January
to March, the works of Arts Adventure will be on exhibit in the
community gallery at Museum London. Titled Art from the Heart,
the exhibit will feature oil, sketch and other media produced
by children from across London who participate in the free Arts
Adventure programs.
This exhibit is generously sponsored
by the Middlesex Family Lawyers Association. Previously, the young
artists made a ceramic mural which now hangs in the Family Law
Court Clinic at the downtown courthouse.
The public is invited to support
Arts Adventure by attending a wine tasting reception at the gallery
on Thursday, Feb. 10, from 5 – 7 p.m. Tickets will be on
sale at Investing in Children in the new year. This event is sponsored
by Peller Estates winery.
Art with a Heart is just one of the
many ways that Investing in Children is making this our Year of
Arts and Culture. Culture will be an important theme in our upcoming
conference, we are involved in planning of children’s events
for the City of London’s Sesquicentennial celebration and
we have more ideas in the works. Visit our website and read our
e-mailer to stay up to date on the latest news.
