For the past year Alive, the east bay magazine, has allowed me the wonderful opportunity to share with you my belief that the arts are important to society, especially to our children, for so many important reasons. I have been echoing this cry for us to support these organizations in society that allow us to engage with and find value in the many forms of creative art available to us. I have to keep asking myself, why do people in power positions such as politicians and administrators often demand cutting funding to the arts so that limited funds can only go to math, science and other academics, and/or their own pet projects, with the belief that the arts are not important?
In the January issue of Psychology Today, columnists Michelle and Robert Root-Bernstein declare in their current Artsmarts column: “Why Cutting Arts Funding is Not a Good Idea – – that “Congress is once again making plans to gut the National Endowment for the Arts!” According to W. James McNerney, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Boeing Company, “At Boeing, innovation is our lifeblood. The arts inspire innovation by leading us to open our minds and think in new ways about our lives – including the work we do, the way we work, and the customers we serve.” His remarks are repeated over and over again by other key professionals, including George David, CEO of United Technologies, and Randall Tobia, CEO of Eli Lilly and Company. They all reflect a similar thesis, “Don’t Gut the Arts”. In other words, support the arts! This article can be found at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/imagine/201102/artsmarts-why-cutting-arts-funding-is-not-good-idea.
Today, I would like to share with you my story of Alamo resident, art teacher-instructor and artist, Fariba Sasson, who owns and operates the very popular art party place, Colorbundles Art Studio at 301 Hartz Avenue (#104) in Danville. This colorful studio and gallery provide a gathering and opportunity space, where children and adults can have fun while learning to draw, paint, create mosaics and engage in other forms of art creation with their friends in a summer camp or birthday party atmosphere.
Fariba told me that when she was a young girl she always loved to draw and carried a sketchbook with her everywhere she went. Her parents recognized that she had a special affinity and talent for art, so they began sending her to art classes. The older she got, the more classes she sought. She did everything from painting on canvas, painting on glass, painting on fabric. “When you are interested, you are thirsty to explore more concepts.” She did floral arrangements and jewelry making, and then she had children, three sons which changed her life’s focus for a number of years while she raised her three boys. When her third son was in the Alamo elementary school, the teacher knew that Fariba was an artist so she asked her to come to school and assist the teacher with their art program. While assisting the school with an art fundraising program, Fariba expressed her desire to show them different ways to do a more hands-on kind of art program, which turned out to became very popular. They tried out Fariba’s new clay project in which the children learned how to make grape shaped objects out of clay. The ending result was a beautiful three-dimensional art project on a china plate. It was fun for the children and easy for them to make with their little hands in their third-gradeclass. Fariba quickly realized how much she enjoyed working with children and how much excitement and satisfaction she received. This prompted her to start her own business of an art summer camp which then led her to also create a throughout-the-year birthday party art program using simple concepts to introduce children to art. Before long, Color Bundles Art Studio became a fixture in Danville.
Once a month on a Wednesday or Thursday, the Color Bundles Art Studio painting class in which the subject matter might be a lighthearted personal caricature images of people and animals. Adults or children may be asked bring a photo of their favorite pet which can become the subject matter for their next art project. Monthly art classes will begin in February but there are always birthday party art classes every weekend.
Fariba explains that when a third party, such as the teacher, praises your child’s work it seems to have a greater meaning than when parents alone support their child’s passion. When the children paint in a party atmosphere it becomes a collective experience. They discuss what they are creating with their friend sitting next to them, in a noncritical sharing. It can change lives, as a common bonding experience can overcome insecurities and build confidence. So now, when I think about it, incidental, perhaps even accidental art exposure may well create better art awareness. What a great way to introduce the great fun and satisfaction that can be derived in creating works of art.
Two young ladies, Sydney and Laney, who first attended Fariba’s birthday party classes became so excited about painting that they took additional summer camp classes for two years with her and eventually asked if they could help her with her birthday party or summer camp classes because they loved working with the children as well as creating the art. Laney Hogue fell in love with painting, drawing and art creation at the elbow of her older brother who had a natural talent in creating art as well. Laney, now a junior in high school, is planning to go to an art college pursuing goals that include becoming a professional artist and perhaps even a teacher of art.
I asked Fariba if I could attend an upcoming weekend birthday party and take pictures of the children to exhibit what they were doing and how much fun they were having in this party atmosphere in which they would learn the basics of painting. My images show birthday girl Rachel and her younger sister Alison together showing off their work, as did their friend, Emily. Assistant Laney Hogue and her mentor, owner Fariba Sasson are shown as well.
I believe the party consisted of 10 to 12 guests, most of whom were probably 10 to 12 years of age. This party became a fun-filled experience for everyone; parents, children and even myself as the observer. In the art studio one table was set up with small portable easels on which the children would experiment with their artwork. Nearby was a separate table adorned with birthday decorations similar to what you would have in a normal birthday party. After the painting introduction class, this is where the children sit with the birthday party girl or boy, eat the party treats, share the birthday gift package openings, and give their birthday salutations.
Fariba and her assistant, the very talented and friendly Laney Hogue, both guided the children through the experience of painting the subject matter on their canvas. This group of young ladies laughed excitedly and chattered back and forth between each other as they listened to Fariba’s carefully orchestrated instructions on how to use different sized paintbrushes, how to meld, blend and apply the colorful layers of colors, and how different strokes can add depth and context to their work. I stayed through most of the party and took a few photographs of the young ladies having a great time with something that was totally new and exhilarating to most of them. Fariba provides all the painting materials, including the paints, brushes and canvases on which the student party goers will share their painting experience. Following the painting work, the canvases were signed by each participant, then dried so that they were safe to handle and were set aside to be retrieved when the birthday party itself was concluded.
It is my belief that if you teach kids at a young age how to use the creative side of their brain in a way that will be fun and get their creative juices flowing, they will most likely continue with this openminded and creative path that can last them a lifetime. Reiterating what corporation executives are saying, a foundation in the Arts can provide the building blocks that could lead the way to success as adults in whatever vocation the decide to pursue. Not only do the arts provide creative thinking, they also provide an outlet for relieving tension and stress in one’s life, much as going for a walk, taking a yoga class or watching or playing a sports game.
I encourage you to engage your children in what I think is truly great way to introduce them to art, a program that might even seem to be an incidental or accidental art awareness program, but a program that is working quite well! I would suggest that you call (925) 727-3137 to book your own child’s birthday party or visit Fariba’s website at www.colorbundle.com to more fully understand what happens in this fun-filled atmosphere.
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