Next week we start art classes for little ones (and their grown-ups!) with Aimee Ledwell of Red Shoe Arts. You’ll love her energy, her style and how she engages your little one (and you) in creativity. Learn more about Aimee and consider taking her class!
What is your background, before you were a mom?
I was, and still am, a teacher. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art, and a Master’s in Art Education from Tufts/School of the Museum of Fine Arts. I taught in public and private school art programs for 10 years before I had my son, and I’ve worked with all ages, from toddlers right on up to adults. My mom will tell you I started teaching when I was 12 years old. I used to bring this arts and crafts book called “Sticks and Stones and Ice Cream Cones” with me to babysitting. I still have that book, too!
What brought you to art?
A roundabout route, actually. I’ve always loved art, and took a bunch of courses in high school, but I thought I wanted to be a marine biologist from the time I was 9 years old. I had been inspired by a book about Eugenie Clark, “Shark Lady,” and I wanted to work as an interpreter at the tide pool exhibit at the New England Aquarium. I didn’t change my mind until I took a college-level physics class (eek!). I realized in college that I was more interested in the alternative learning experience provided by the aquarium, and that my strength was as a teacher, not as a scientist. At the same time I had always loved to create things, so I transferred to art school, and then went to grad school to learn to teach art to others. The art classroom is definitely a place for alternative learning experiences!
When you’re working with parents and kids, what do you find helps them connect with their inner creativity?
Don’t be afraid to get messy. Put on your jeans and a t-shirt and dig right in. Art is very forgiving, and if it doesn’t look how you expected, well that’s just fine! People often tell me “I can’t draw a straight line!” or similar clichés. Drawing is a learned skill that takes lots of practice, just like learning to read. Lots of great artists can’t draw! There are so many other art areas where you can find strength: maybe you are good at building things, or shaping with clay, or at choosing colors for a room, or at taking a photograph. This is just one reason why I do a lot of abstract art with my students, because taking away the need to have it look “real” frees us up to simply have fun with the materials.
Some parents aren’t sure why an art class would be beneficial to a child..what do you say to that?
In addition to improving fine motor skills, pattern recognition, and observational skills and more, art teaches us in ways that other subjects can’t: to express ourselves, to solve unique problems and think in less predictable ways. Art has no right answers, only the answers that you decide are right for your purposes. Art is never “messed up” because you can always change your mind about what you want it to be. We live in a world that increasingly needs original thinkers, where jobs are quickly being consumed by computers, robots, and a global workforce. Our children need to keep coming up with new ideas, and what else builds imagination like the arts do?
What’s one thing that you can share about yourself that’s more unique and not related to motherhood, art or your past professional life…what’s your passion/guilty pleasure/favorite hobby or pasttime?
This summer I took up running for the first time. I’m running my first 5k in a few weeks, and I’m very excited. I want to be a good example for my son in many ways, and fitness is a huge part of that. Eventually I’d like to do a sprint triathlon or something similar, but I still have a long way to go!
If you had more time, is there another job or activity you’d love to do?
I want to grow up to be a jazz singer. I love to sing, and one of these days I’ll take voice lessons. For now, lullabies for CJ and singing along with my iPod will have to do.
An interactive and fun art class for kids aged 1.5 – 6 years old called Paper, Paint and Play. Aimee will guide you and your child through 2-3 different art stations each week where kids will be creative using many different types of arts and crafts supplies. Make collages, create water color masterpieces, paint with tempera paint and more. We’ll be inspired by nature in colors and themes. We’ll also enjoy reading books and sing songs about each art theme! Come and get creative! This 10-week class series costs $145 (10% less for members). Siblings attend for 15% less than the first child.
[...] Many thanks to Jeanette at Mothers and Company, who interviewed me for their blog, Momma Wisdom. MoCo is an incredible natural parenting resource; with a retail store, tons of classes, workshops and groups. On the blog, you’ll learn all kinds of things about me and my classes, including what I want to be when I grow up! Find the complete interview here: http://mothersandcompany.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/momma-interview-aimee-ledwell-instructor-for-mocos… [...]