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Completed: Picasso For 4 Year Olds!

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"When did you first pick up a paint brush? Did a teacher ever take the time to show you how to create a dimensional painting, or shade an object? Are you confident with your artistic ability?

Many of us grew up with exposure to Art, but most of us would not profess high confidence in our artisti... " MORE

"When did you first pick up a paint brush? Did a teacher ever take the time to show you how to create a dimensional painting, or shade an object? Are you confident with your artistic ability?

Many of us grew up with exposure to Art, but most of us would not profess high confidence in our artistic abilities. This is because we did not hold a paintbrush at the same age we first held a pencil. No teacher taught us how to create dimension at the same age we learned to write the letter "A".

Art is an afterthought in most school curricula. We know, intuitively, that this should not be the case. If children are exposed to art at a young age their brain areas for creativity and artistic ability will flourish. Left untouched for years, a child's lack of art exposure will become an adult's lack of artistic ability.

I cannot have this be the case for my beautiful and creative four year olds. I need to expose them to artistic mediums now, in order to develop their skills in art on a parallel path with their math and literacy abilities. Unfortunately, my school lacks the funding to supply us with adequate materials for my children to wholly pour themselves into artistic activities. Our paint supply ran out months ago, and the largest paper we have is 8 1/2 X 11". Imagine the little hands of my four year-olds, inexperienced in fine motor movement, trying to paint an expressive picture on a miniscule canvas! Please help us!

I am asking for a donation of paints (both mural and finger), paintbrushes, and mural paper. With your generous donation my students can truly explore art and begin to develop their knowledge of shading, shadowing, dimension, and artistic representation. I am also asking for a donation of clay. Clay is a highly effective medium for exploring the three dimensional world of art. It is also an important self-soothing tool. Many of my children lead difficult lives for being only four, and having a healthy outlet for aggression and anger, such as the ability to pound on clay, is more important than we think.

The next Picasso could be in my classroom, but we need your help to become the talented artists we all have the potential to be!

My classroom requests the following art supplies: georgia clay, clay stampers, liquid tempera paint, alphabet picture stencils, paint brushes, finger paint, and window crayons.

HIDE

Ms. N. sent this note after the project was fully funded:

Dec 30, 2007
Dear Kate and Charlie Gelatt, Brent, Emily, Kristin, Amanda, Sue and NINA, 
What a wonderful surprise to open my email this morning and learn that you had generously funded my "Picasso for four-year-olds" proposal! In a world of increasing high-stakes testing, it is more important than ever that we remain committed to providing all children with rich experiences in the arts. This important curriculum is all too often lost to the needs of standardized tests and achievement data. I am so grateful that my student, thanks to your generosity, will get the chance they deserve to develop their artistic and creative minds. Thank you!

On Mar 5, 2008, Ms. N. followed this note with student letters sent via mail to the donor who completed this project, and to donors who gave $100 or more.

Live Updates
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Chad & Suzanne's Superbowl Party B. (staff member) on Jun 17, 2007
Verified the cost of the requested supplies and posted this project.
Chad & Suzanne's Superbowl Party B. (staff member) on Jun 17, 2007
Amanda from New Bern, NC gave on Sep 29, 2007
Amanda from Philadelphia, PA gave on Oct 1, 2007
NINA from SPRINGFIELD, VA gave on Nov 9, 2007
Sue from Chevy Chase, MD gave on Nov 15, 2007
Emily from Santa Barbara, CA gave on Dec 11, 2007
Brent from Kensington, MD gave on Dec 27, 2007
Kate and Charlie Gelatt from Arlington, VA gave on Dec 28, 2007
Kristin from Moraga, CA gave on Dec 28, 2007
Project fully funded!
Happy news on Dec 28, 2007
The teacher Ms. N. on Jan 2, 2008
Purchased the supplies for Ms. N.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.
Jeff H. (staff member) on Jan 14, 2008
Packaged the thank-you letters written by Ms. N.'s students and sent them on to the eligible donor(s).
SooNa H. (staff member) on Mar 19, 2008
Please notify our staff of any messages or photos of concern.
Funded!
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