Public commentary

[Kimberly Dow]

Mike,

My youngest "rugrats" class this summer were 5-8 year-olds. I had 12 of them, (luckily a few dropped out by the 2nd month), and it was great fun. I intended to stick to just drawing skills, but they got antsy so I went ahead and put down rolls of plastic & let them go to town with the paint. The class was an hour long once a week. For most the hour was fine, but for a couple it was too long. The trick is to take the kids that are interested in art, not the ones the parents are forcing. I can spot the ones that are not interested, but I havent figured out how to say no to the parents politely.

"Ms. Kim, I lost a tooth, wanna see?"
(not really)

"Can I sing you the song I learned?"
(No, save that for your grandparents)

"I don't wanna draw that fruit, I wanna draw a rainnnnbooowwww."
(Draw a *&!@ rainbow at home)

"Ms. Kim, I'm afraid of your bathroom"
(Ummm, ok. Hold it?)

The older kids were great. Very creative. I say go for it. I did not have any interest in teaching, but I had so many requests that it seemed like a good idea. My kids took the classes as well. It was great for the summer, it paid my utility bills for the studio for many months in advance. We are having a Kid's Art Show in August with a reception and Awards- they will dress up and I will mount their work on matboard and hang it up. Having the classes has also resulted in some sales of prints to parents and some private lessons also.

As much as I enjoyed it, I am glad it's almost over! It can be exhausting, they all seem to raise their hands & want help at once. There is enough interest to keep the classes going year-round, but I have some landscape commissions to get to & hopefully the Christmas season will be busy.