MINI-MASTERS OF ART

So what can you do in an hour? Can you create a master work of art? I know I can’t, but I do know of some young artists that can. This past week, I was fortunate enough to witness creativity in motion and the fundamentals of art education in action during a Young Rembrandts after school drawing class. Thirty attentive and eager elementary-aged children, with the guidance of a teacher, were armed with only a piece of paper, pencil, sharpie and a few markers created masterpieces worthy to be on display in a museum or framed on their parents walls.

I was amazed to see the kids interested and engaged in the process, but the most beautiful aspect of the experience for me had to be the “piece d' resistance,” the imaginative yet sophisticated renderings.

Founded in 1988 in Illinois, Young Rembrandts has become a recognized leader in art education whose premise is based on the correlation between involvement in the arts and achievement in the classroom. Young Rembrandts partners with pre-schools, day care centers, elementary schools and community recreation centers throughout the nation. Currently there are eight Young Rembrandts locations throughout the Chicagoland area offering one-hour drawing classes on a weekly basis at host sites for children ages 3 ½ to 5, and 6 to 12 years old.

Kiran Advani
Group Director