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Social scientists, psychologists, and anthropologists have suspected for a long time that developing creativity in a child provides secondary benefits. Although a drawing or painting created by an adolescent usually never makes a showing further than the family refrigerator, the value of this artwork is many times underestimated. The process of creating artwork plays a role in other areas of a child's life. Children's art lessons guides them in the processes they use to express themselves through art.

This article discusses how the economy has affected children's art lessons in many public school sectors. It also explores the reasons a kids art program can play a huge role in development.

The Down Economy

Almost each state has been through financial struggles during the current down economy. As many of these states wait to receive financial aid from the government, they have taken cost cutting measures to survive. One of the main targets to take a hit is the public school system. While essentials like science, history, math, and reading have been spared, other classes in the arts, including drawing, painting, music, and drama, have been the first to go.
The unfortunate state of the economy has caused this sad circumstance, even as experts discover new and exciting advantages of arts programs for a child.

Revealing Potential

Years ago, the ability of a child to understand and apply new concepts was thought to only be related to intelligence. That thought has changed today, as we know more about the brain and development. Young people start learning and understanding new ideas and concepts much earlier than previously thought and creative expression is vital to the understanding and application of ideas.

For example, many parents report their child's performance in academic subjects like math and science has improved after enrolling in a kids art program. This is not unexpected as it follows along with what experts have discovered about development and the brain.

Dedication And Perseverance

One of the most exciting benefits of a kids art program is developing perseverance in a child. When beginning an art project, a child tends to take ownership of it, following through until completion. When an obstacle appears, children tend to persist until they find a solution, providing a lesson in not only art, but also in dedication.

Assisting a young person in developing a sense of dedication and perseverance in every project they undertake is vital in promoting a life of success. Whether in personal relationships, individual goals, or business endeavors, these traits are important in future personal achievement.

Opportunities Outside Of Public Schools

As schools reduce their costs in the areas of the arts, parents should consider providing their child with the advantages of a kids art program by enrolling them in children's art lessons outside of the public school system. Some parents even consider this a blessing as the average teacher is trained to teach academics and not necessarily to provide artistic direction. By providing step by step instruction, a kids art program can show a child the basics of art while encouraging them to come up with their own creative avenues. Children's art lessons taught by professional art instructors can spark a passion for expression while boosting performance in academic areas, unlocking the potential of every child.

Junk art and trash art are interchangeable terms. This is a sub-genre of found art, where a piece of art is created from pieces that have previously been discarded as trash or junk. There are many national organizations that offer junk art competitions as a way of making the public more aware of the things they discard, that will sit in a landfill. Not only is junk art and trash art a way of creating awareness, but also helps those who are going ‘green’ to erase some of their carbon footprint by reusing objects.

One artist in particular is known for her junk art or trash art, named Nadia Iliffe. Nadia creates found or recycled art pieces such as one entitled Websolated. This piece is said to illustrate the way a person feels when their mate turns to the Internet and computers in general. This piece was made from computer parts and metals, all of which could be considered junk art or trash art due to the fact that they were discarded or no longer being used prior to their use in this piece.

Another great artist named Lane Patterson creates junk art from reclaimed or recycled pieces to create meaningful and unique pieces of art. One piece called Dragonfly, offers a sculpture from plumbing and electrical parts as well as resin grapes from long ago with other vintage objects incorporated. He offers many pieces that are all created from reclaimed or recycled pieces to create junk art that gives the viewer an idea of exactly what he felt when he created each piece.

Mark Langan is another of many junk artists that offer reclaimed materials to create beautiful pieces of expression. One particular piece is entitled Homage to the Scream, and is created from reclaimed corrugated cardboard and offers details much like the original ‘Scream’ piece by artist Edvard Munch. Each piece created by Langan is made totally of glue and corrugated boxes, a true patron of eco friendly living.

A high end junk artist named Gabriel Dishaw offers pieces from back in the mid 90s, and all are made from pieces of metal as well as gears and wires in running shoes. One piece in particular named Frankenstein Terminator is fashioned after the Nike High Terminator shoe and comes with a shoebox, diagram and shoe tags with labels.

With all the junk art and trash art artists that compile the masses, it is hard to find one that you would like the best. Regardless of your stance on eco friendly art, the fact that these artists are making a large impact on the carbon footprint we all leave behind in our trash and items we discard without another thought. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, and in this case the artists mentioned are able to take that junk and make something that all can enjoy. No matter our eco status, all can appreciate the joys of beautiful art and the painstaking ills that artists go through to make them come to life.