Support youth artists at the Youth Autumn Art Fair on October 10th from 9:00 am until 2 pm. The fair will feature work by young artists in the community and a portion of sales from the event will benefit C.A.R.E.S. and KickstART Farmington.
Following the youth art fair, from 2 pm – 5 pm, join us for a fall plein air event. Artists from the area will display paintings they’ve created the prior week of outdoor scenes from across Farmington and Farmington Hills. The art will be available for sale and many of the artists will be on hand to discuss their work and answer questions. The fall plein air event is a collaboration between KickstART Farmington and the Farmington Art Foundation.
Both events will take place in the parking lot between the Sunflour Bakehaus and KickstART Farmington
Art is a force that unites people, inspires them, drives their creativity, and adds beauty and culture to the world. It plays an important role in creating a community, and perhaps an even more significant role in our schools.
For years, funding and time for arts, music, and theater programs in education have been dwindling, pushed out in favor of more rigorous academic curriculum; this happens despite the knowledge, backed by science, that arts education isloaded with important benefits for children.
It’s this knowledge that’s the driving force behind National Arts in Education Week. Passed by the senate in 2010, every second week in September is devoted to celebrating art’s benefits in the classroom and advocating for the importance of keeping art alive in our schools.
Time spent in art class is associated with improved coordination, including greater fine and gross motor skills and better hand eye coordination. It also encourages boosts in spatial, temporal, and visual reasoning.
Academic performance outside arts education can see improvements, including growth in math and literacy skills, improvements in creative writing, greater ability to comprehend stories, a reduced chance of dropping out, and a greater likelihood of being recognized for achievements in academia.
Studying art can play a role in the development of character, helping children to reflect on their feelings and behaviors, use empathy, have a more nuanced understanding of their world, use emotional regulation, and practice social tolerance. Art classes also naturally encourage collaboration and are a safe space to practice taking constructive criticism.
The personal growth doesn’t stop there. As this infographic reveals, there’s a great deal to love about arts education.
The National Arts in Education Week site is loaded with information on partner events, including guidelines on how to get involved in this important advocacy effort within your community.
KickstART Farmington is collaborating with the Farmington Art Foundation (FAF) on a Plein Air event tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2020. Area artists are invited to participate in this event. There is no fee to enter.
Artists will bring blank canvases to the KickstART Gallery & Shop on October 3, 2020, between 11:00 AM and 3:00PM to be stamped prior to work beginning. Artists will have until October 10, 2020 at 12:00 to complete and return finished paintings. Artists should bring an easel to display one of their art pieces outside between KickstART Gallery & Shop and Sunflour Bakehaus. Easels will be spaced six feet apart.
Only art created in Farmington/ Farmington Hills will be accepted. Residents could work safely within their own yard.
Finished work must be for sale. A commission of 20% will be charged for any works sold, and the commission will be split between FAF and KickstART Farmington. Artists will pick up unsold art at conclusion of the show on the evening of October 10th.
This event is dependent on interest and participation. Please contact FAF President Richard Adams at readams50@yahoo.com if you are interested in entering. The deadline to enter is September 18, 2020.
