Children's Art Wanted for Exhibition

Benicia is known for the wealth of artistic talent here, so it's no surprise that our kids are creative. Most parents have their kid's artwork posted on the refrigerator, but would love to have it displayed for all to see.

is giving local children the opportunity to do just that, at the upcoming Next Generation show. The show was first hosted in 1998, but has not been done since 2003. The current board of directors has put an emphasis on community outreach, so the Next Gen was resurrected.

Arts Benicia Executive Director Larnie Fox has years of experience with children's art. He was Director of the Children's Fine Art Program at the Palo Alto Art Center so he knows how to work with children. “We have a very active committee who have worked really had to get it done,” Fox says of committee members Elisabeth Gulick, Bonnie Weidel, Pat Hall, Susan Sullivan, Cherry Moore, Shelly Dupuis and Janice Vanderwerf.

“Kids will do the freshest things, that adult artists can't match. They have spontaneity and honesty,” says Fox. Art is also an important developmental tool for children. Fox explains,“You have to improvise in life... be able to make decisions. When you make art, you have to make a series of personal decisions. The work is the end result of those decisions. It's important for kids to get credit for that.”

Unfortunately, kids lose their fearlessness as they get older. “Most kids stop doing art at around nine or ten because they get self critical more insecure about their work,” says Fox. “What helps is, to have someone to give them the skills, by that age they want realistic artistic skills.”

Fox also sees that kids get a real confidence boost through art, because there is no wrong answer, no wrong way to do it. Kids can express themselves, find their voice and show something that came from within themselves.

The call for entries is open to children in that live or go to school in Benicia, in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. Art work must be made by the child with minimal help from parents or teachers. Works can be made at home or school does not need to be made specifically for this exhibition.

All types of are welcome; drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, sculpture, photography, digital art, calligraphy, ceramics, etc. Organizers are looking for art that is expressive, vibrant, bold, fresh and original.

Arts Benicia is relying on Benicia schools and private art classes to solicit submissions from local children. Each school will have a liaison to coordinate entries, which are limited to one per child and only 35 per school (5 per private art class). Show entries will be chosen by school staff with help from Arts Benicia volunteers.

Time is short. Liaisons will deliver each school's art to the gallery on March 3rd. Those interested in participating should contact their school's liaison (via the school Principal) for details and deadlines.

So far response has been good. All Benicia primary and middle schools have agreed to participate. Organizers expect to exhibit up to 200 pieces of art. Participating artists may sell their art and will receive 60% of the sale. All of the art will be priced at a set amount of $35. All artists will receive a congratulatory letter.

The show is scheduled to run from March 10 through April 3, 2011. The general public is welcome to attend the opening reception to be held on March 13th at 3:00. “I think it's really important that we let kids know that the community values their work,” says Fox.

In an effort to reach out to the community, Arts Benicia will host special events during the three week exhibition. A Family Art-Making Day will be hosted on Sunday March 20th at 1:00 pm. Kids and their people are invited to come make art together. School teachers are invited to schedule field trips of guided gallery tours, but space is limited.

On March 31st from at 6:30 pm, Bonnie Weidel of  will give a talk called Visual Arts and Cognitive Development, but don't let the title scare you. Weidel will discuss how children perceive the world, and how parents can understand that perception though their art. Weidel has been teaching art to children for decades and holds an Master's Degree in Early Child Education.

This year's Next Generation show is dedicated to Benicia Middle School student , 11, who recently pass away unexpectedly. Madeline was known for her love of art.