Got Art? Most kids don't.
How important is art to my family? Let me count the ways. It's how I made a living for most of my life. It's how Rigel and I met. It's how we've supported our family, and it's how my uncle, aunt and cousin have made their livings, too. Not to mention the fact that I'm 99% sure it's how my girls will support themselves in the future as well. (Insert smartass Asian stereotype joke here about there being a shortage of dry cleaners, mathematicians and manicurists.)
So the fact that schools across the country have had (and will continue to have) cuts to their art programs has affected me deeply. I grew up when schools had classes dedicated solely to art, or at least time set aside everyday for some sort of creative endeavor. Supplies were plentiful, and I'm not just talking about frames made out of macaroni or vases made out of soup cans – I remember having clay for making pottery and creating beautiful landscapes with watercolors and charcoal.
(Totally unrelated: Did you hear about the time I ate an eraser on a dare? So wasteful.)
Now you can see why I'm so excited to be a part of this important program – Art Room Aid from Blick Art Materials. Here's the basic idea: Teachers across the country can make a wishlist of supplies via Art Room Aid, and then enlist the help of parents, families, friends, and other art advocates to fund their art projects to keep art alive and well in their classrooms and in the lives of their students.
Here's how you can learn more: Join this Twitter Party to find out ways that you can support art education and spread the word about Art Room Aid. We'll also be discussing projects you can do with your own kids (no encouraging of eating erasers, I promise.)
When: Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m. ET
Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #BlickARA hashtag to track the conversation. See this Twtvite for more info and to RSVP: http://twtvite.com/BlickARA
Hashtag: #BlickARA
Prizes: We will give away five total prizes - two $25 Blick gift coupons, two $50 Blick gift coupons, and one $75 Blick gift coupon.
Hosts: @theMotherhood, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann
Art Room Aid: http://www.dickblick.com/ara
Blick Art Materials: http://www.dickblick.com/
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