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on this
Change the location.
rt isn’t just for refrigerators and dark hallways A anymore! Our modern embrace of a kid centric family means showcasing your child’s art is totally cool. Think beyond your child's room and those other out of the way places you’ve “stuck” their art. Feel free to make your children's art a seamless part of your décor: bathrooms, kitchens, family rooms, or anyplace you need a whimsical splash of color.
outside the frame. 2 Think
ew options for display include transferring N photos of their art to canvas, wall decals that set the stage of presentation, and transferring images to ceramics. A quick search online will provide a variety of options for both DIY projects and vendors who can make this happen.
way to the exhibition hall! 3 This
J ust like museums curate rotating exhibits, you can change out artwork to reflect your children's growing skills. Choose a high-traffic area where your kids can appreciate their fresh work being on display, while getting used to the idea of older pieces being replaced from time to time. Keep the pieces you really love displayed elsewhere to enjoy forever.
it up. 4 Theme
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I f you have multiple children and they go to the same school, chances are each of them will create the same work, in their own fashion. At my kids' school, every first grader draws a bicycle, every second grader makes a ceramic fish plate, and so on, giving me three sets of each. Themes based on seasons, holidays, self-portraits, sports, or anything else your family enjoys work well, too.
Bring creativity home.
ddly enough, creating art with your kids can O combat the ambivalence you’re feeling towards their school portfolios. Don’t be afraid if you aren’t an “artist” – my mom let us paint on her bedroom wall. While it wasn't beautiful, her encouragement to do something that felt so taboo has stayed with me.
If all else fails, take a cue from your kids themselves. Figure out what kind of art they value and give it a special place. My daughter has a melted crayon piece made for us by someone we love, a technique she had to try herself because she thought it was so cool. Both pieces now hang side by side in her bedroom. Approach this with a little courage and a lot of creativity: you’ll be glad you did when your child artist heads off to college!
Sabrina Fedel is a writer, reluctant hockey mom, and experienced drama diffuser. You can find her at www.sabrinafedel.com where she blogs about writing, learning disabilities, and life.
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