Edward Street's 5th annual Children's Art Show is here! This year's show, "'Tell Me About It' — Trauma-Informed Art Activities for Young Children," highlights the beauty of the Process Art approach.
Process Art focuses on the creative journey instead of the final product. It encourages children to use many different materials and techniques to explore their feelings and express themselves through their art.
Recently, we discussed this year's art show with Jo Ann Borinski, a Master Teacher at Edward Street with more than 40 years of early childhood experience. Read on to learn about the show and why you should attend.
'We Want to Support These Kids on Their Growth and Journey'
Approximately 20 teachers guided 85 children between the ages of 15 months and 4 years old as they created their artwork. "Art is a form of communicating," Jo Ann said. "We want to see what they're communicating through their art."
Teachers worked side by side with children during the project to earn their trust and support them as they let their creative juices flow freely. "We need to be present and connect with the kids," Jo Ann pointed out.
During the project, children expressed themselves both through their art and as they were producing it.
For example, Jo Ann said that some children would use the color blue in their artwork if they were feeling sad. Other children would put paint on their hands to see how it feels. One child said they missed their mom as they created their artwork.
As children expressed how they were feeling, teachers would validate their emotions. This showed children that they were being heard.
"The children work so hard on their artwork," Jo Ann said. "We want to support these kids on their growth and journey."
'It's Amazing What These Kids Can Do'
Along with learning to express themselves through their art, children learned many skills that will serve them well long into the future. "Most of the brain development takes place in the early years of a child's life. This is where learning all begins," Jo Ann said.
The project promoted self-regulation, a skill most children won't typically master until they are 6 or 7 years old, Jo Ann said. "Once kids learn how to self-regulate, they can own their emotions and their responses to their emotions," Jo Ann stated.
Children also gained confidence as they produced their art.
For example, one child drew "Sonic the Hedgehog" characters. As they did, the child felt good about the artwork they produced, and this fostered a sense of self-worth, Jo Ann noted. "The children work so hard on their artwork," Jo Ann said. "It's amazing what these kids can do. It's beautiful."
Now Showing
Our art show takes place at the Printers Building Gallery at 50 Portland Street in Worcester through the end of April.
Stop by Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to view the show. If you can't make it during regular business hours, please contact Toni Ostrow at tostrow@edwardstreet.org or 508-792-0220 to schedule a private showing. We also offer a virtual exhibit you can view online any time.
Check out masterpieces from our 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021 art shows.
Read our blog and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for information about our annual Children's Art Show and other early education and care programs and initiatives we support in Worcester and its surrounding communities.