October is National Arts and Humanities Month

Every October there is an annual celebration of the arts and humanities across the nation. This year is extra special, for President Obama has recognized the importance of the arts through an official Presidental proclamation issued by the White House in support of National Arts and Humanities Month. Obama is the first president to make such a statement. He acknowledges that our cultural assets make a significant economic contribution to US society.

Check out the president's remarks. Also check out the national website listing events across the country.

Visual Literacy Begins in Infancy

Teaching art full-time does require a lot of preparation and energy -- hence my silence for the past few weeks. But it's not like I don't think about art daily! However, I haven't been so diligent about writing on my favorite topic, art and kids.

I came across this YouTube excerpt about babies and their love of black and white graphics.
When our daughter was teeny, I inked black and white drawings to put at her eye level in the crib. I had read the very recent research at that time about babies' love of these patterns, but there wasn't anything on the market then. Now it's common knowledge. The drawings in this collection are very charming. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJuGkivlqSs