How Cool Is This?

I have so much respect for a family that truly encourages their children to express their creativity. This is my friends front porch wall. She told her two girls to paint whatever they wanted. She didn't tell them anything expect that painting on brick would be more difficult than they expected. Then she let them do whatever they wanted.

How cool is this? You have a love a woman that doesn't stifle her kids with, "honey, paint in the lines", or "this color would look better than that color". Go Kelly and kids! I can't wait for the finished piece!

Isn't She Lovely?

Kid art is the best. It's a complete expression of a child's imagination. They are free to create what ever comes to mind. 

I particularly love this piece by young lady named Emma Jane. I found it in her Moms office. We were meeting for something entirely unrelated and I had a hard time not talking about this first. In fact, I think we did discuss this fabulous piece first.

Unfortunately, this is not technically "public" as it is in an office, albeit in a public space. But I love noting things that make me smile. Perhaps you will, too!

High School Mural

This is outside the parking lot of one of our High Schools. The school is located in downtown Ann Arbor and is a difficult one to get into. They have a limited number of openings each year and one has to enter a lottery to get into the school. 

It is renowned for allowing kids to develop curriculum's that are of interest to the student. For kids who are looking for alternatives to regimented schedules this is a nice alternative. I wish I had known about this option when I was in high school.  

Anyway, this mural is a result of a collaboration of these creative and lucky students.

Kid Art in Downtown Ann Arbor

Every year the art teachers in Ann Arbor select the best of the projects from their classes and post them around town. Different businesses participate and one can spend hours walking the streets looking at windows full of different kinds of art produced by all ages of school children.

When I was a kid I would have loved this project. I was featured in a show at Rackham Auditorium, which was a really big deal to me. It was a big deal to a young girl who came in to look at her piece on display at the Peaceable Kingdom. She was thrilled to see her work on the wall and her entire family came with her to support her. It was delightful!