Exhibit of art made by tiny hands
Published 11:17 pm Sunday, June 1, 2008
It’s a first-of-its kind show in Snohomish County of young artists — really young artists — children 5 years old and younger.
Eighty-three of their works, professionally framed and matted, will be on display in buildings throughout the county until June 15, Father’s Day.
One creation, by 3-year-old Sydney Shander of Everett, brings to mind the drip-art style of artist Jackson Pollock.
Another, by 2-year-old Nathan Bunney of Marysville, blends chalk hues of baby blue and rose pink, with a splash of yellow.
A picture of two people surrounded by flowers and rainbowlike colors by 5-year-old Jessica Newcomb of Lake Stevens was just one of the drawings that caught the eye of Linda Berkley, a member of the art faculty at Everett Community College.
“Totally exuberant,” she said. “There’s no hesitation in those lines at all.”
About 120 babies, toddlers and preschoolers in child care centers throughout Snohomish County were given watercolors, paints, pens and chalk to produce the artwork of their choice.
From this initial group, 83 artworks were selected to be displayed in 10 area buildings, including Valley General Hospital in Monroe, Providence Everett Medical Center’s Pavilion for Women and Children and several offices of The Everett Clinic.
Berkley had come to see 10 of the works displayed in the stairway and halls of United Way of Snohomish County in downtown Everett.
Her assessment, delivered with a smile: “There’s an adventurous spirit and willingness to try anything.
“It’s a natural way of communicating that children, if given the tools, will leap into wholeheartedly.”
The project is part of the Born Learning campaign, a statewide program of United Way. Its goals are to identify any social or developmental problems kids have at a very early age and get them the help they need to improve.
Seventy-five child care sites in Snohomish County participate in the Born Learning program.
“So much in life is determined in the first three years,” said Deborah Squires, a United Way spokeswoman. “The focus is on the very youngest kids, and maximizing that window of time when they soak up knowledge that makes them emotionally and socially ready for school.”
The artwork was created by kids in child care programs at YMCA Heatherwood in Mill Creek, Everett Community College, Tulalip Child Care Center, Elim Christian Preschool in Lake Stevens, YMCA Everett, Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Arlington, Edmonds Community College Center for Families, and Boeing Family Center in Everett.
At Our Saviour’s Lutheran Child Care in Arlington, children between the ages of 1 and 5 participated in the art project.
The 1-year-olds sat in high chairs, were given watercolors and “we let them go to town,” said Bev Curtis, the center’s director. Two-year-olds used paint and 3-year-olds were handed chalk for their drawings.
The 4- and 5-year-olds were given straws to blow paint across a page to make artistic designs.
“I know with the 5-year-olds, they were really into the colors, more than the younger ones,” Curtis said.
The Everett Clinic is displaying 30 pieces of children’s artwork in its offices in Silver Lake, Mukilteo, Stanwood and in its pediatric department in Everett.
“They’re very expressive, cheerful and uplifting,” said Dr. Jane Lester, a pediatrician.
“It reminds us of the creativity of kids. From the age they can hold a crayon or marker they can make cool art.
Letting children express themselves through art “is a wonderful part of child development,” she said.
By participating in art projects, children can improve their hand-eye coordination, muscle development and concentration, Lester said.
“I would imagine all adults would get a kick out of seeing these pieces of art,” she said. “They make you smile.”
Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
You can see the art
Artwork from dozens of children 5 and younger will be displayed around Snohomish County. The exhibit runs through June 15, Father’s Day. Here are the locations:
The Everett Clinic, Founders Building, Pediatric Department, 3901 Hoyt Ave., Everett
The Everett Clinic at Harbour Point, 4410 106th St. SW, Mukilteo
The Everett Clinic at Silverlake, 1818 121st St. SE, Everett
The Everett Clinic at Stanwood, 7205 265th St. NW, Stanwood
Rodland Toyota-Scion, 6816 Evergreen Way, Everett
StockPot, 1200 Merrill Creek Parkway, Everett
Providence Everett Medical Center’s Pavilion for Women and Children, 900 Pacific Ave., Everett
United Way of Snohomish County, 3120 McDougall Ave., Everett
Valley General Hospital, 14701 179th St. SE, Monroe
Volunteers of America Western Washington — Child Care Resource and Referral, 2801 Broadway, Everett
