More Than Just Scribbles…..maybe, an investment in the creative tomorrow

The University Union Gallery at Sac State has a remarkable exhibition currently on display.  Aptly titled More than Just Scribbles, the show features artwork created by children artists from around the local area, some just 1-2 years old.  There are all kinds of different creations on display--from paintings, to collages, to sculpture and mini installations-- and it was great to see it all!  

I was particularly intrigued by the self portrait drawings.  They reminded me a lot of Basquiat’s work—proportions were wrong; areas were scribbled in; color was patchy—but overall, they were such great images.  There was a uniqueness and a rawness to the drawings that spoke to the individuality of the creators.  The artist visions of these kids is so incredible! 

I also enjoyed the mixed media work.  They looked like giant messes of just about every material the young artists had at their disposal.   I often wonder what it would be like to hear the thoughts of kids as they create.  What is it they think about and to what extent when they are creating? 

Overall, this has been one of my most favorite exhibitions to review.  As an artist and a supporter of the arts, I believe it is important to encourage art from an early age, so it was great to see what some of the local programs in Sacramento are doing.  Regardless, though, of whether these kids grow up to become artists, I believe that it is important to start cultivating greater creativity in our culture.  The last time I reviewed the Common Core Standards (roughly a year ago, so things might have since been updated), there was no mention of the arts; it promotes math, science, and english.  Though these are important subjects for the next generation to study, ultimately, people are not robots, and they will need to know how to apply creativity to these topics to push research forward, hopefully leading to new discoveries and greater understandings of our world.  We are entering into the age of the creative tomorrow, and art is such a good vehicle to use for understanding the creative process and learning how to be creative.  Hopefully, the younger generation adopts elements of art, or elements from art, as catalysts for furthering our cultures.