Arts & Entertainment
The 'Little Einsteins' of Art
Art Classes for Children to Inspire the Next Generation of Creative Minds
In a room filled with proud parents posing earlier this month next to the paintings, drawings and sketchings created by their children, National Art League instructor Rhoda Lowinger stressed the importance of art education.
It was a subject that these parents of students enrolled in classes at this neighborhood cultural institution perhaps knew better than anyone.
"Many parents don't realize the overall impact art education has on child development, allowing gains in math, reading and science, as well as increasing cognitive ability and critical reasoning skills," Lowinger said in a ceremony for her students Nov. 14.
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Lowinger went on to explain that her classes, which are open to all children from grade school to high school, go beyond just teaching the fundamentals of capturing form, beauty and color in art.
"It also helps children to build up confidence and that's wonderful," Lowinger said.
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Students enrolled in NAL's art classes start off by sketching with just a pencil, according to Lowinger. Then as they're slowly introduced to working with colors, sketching real life objects like fruits and vegetables, Lowinger says her students slowly develop motion control — all while developing their artistic eye.
But for Lowinger, there's also a more tangible advantage in teaching children about art.
"My students can use their art as supplements to their college applications, which will help them to get into better schools and earn them scholarship money," Lowinger said.
Indeed, for Lowinger, teaching art is about more than just showing students how to draw, blend and mix colors.
"I want my students to enjoy themselves because art is really about having fun," Lowinger said. "And the more they enjoy it, the more they'll stick with it."
Lowinger's junior art class is open to kids 12 years old and under, and meets at the National Art League in Douglaston on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Her senior art class is open to kids grades 9-12, and meets from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about the National Art League, visit www.nationalartleague.org.