Are you looking for something fun, free and cultural to do with your little ones? Check out this new Miami art show for children called “More than Meets the Eye.” It takes professional fine art to a whole new level with no piece of artwork hung or displayed more than three feet off the ground, so even small children can see everything! The opening-night reception for “More than Meets the Eye” is Friday, April 19, 2013, from 7 to 10 p.m., at Prints Giclee Shop, 8747 SW 134th Street, Miami, Fla., 33176. Food and refreshments for both children and adults will be served, and admission is free.
When I received a press release about this show, I was intrigued. The concept sounded so simple, and yet, so unusual. So I contacted the show’s creator and co-curator, Christine Lyall, a Miami-based artist (she also works full-time in corporate communications), to get more information. Here’s what she had to say:
Q: How did you come up with the idea for “More than Meets the Eye?”
A: The idea came to me when I saw a young boy at an art show straining to see a piece of my artwork hanging rather high on a wall. It occurred to me that it would have been nice if the painting were hung lower so the boy could see it more easily. And then I thought, what if an entire exhibit of fine art were designed so small children can see everything? Maybe it’s been done before, but I’ve never seen it.
Most art exhibits exclude children as viewers because the artwork is usually displayed too high. I think that’s why children often get bored when you take them to an art show or an art gallery or art museum. Granted, most art exhibits are designed for adults, but why should it be that way all the time? After all, it’s not hard to design a show for young children—you just move the nails down a couple feet.
With schools cutting back on arts education, and the government cutting back on arts funding, the responsibility lies with the rest of us to cultivate children’s appreciation for art. And the best time to start that cultivation is when children are young.
Q: What kind of art will “More than Meets the Eye” feature? Will it be geared specifically towards children?
A: The artwork is very “PG-13,” so people of all ages will hopefully enjoy it. You won’t find any pink ponies, purple dinosaurs or laser-weilding robots in our show. This was very important to me and my co-curators, Miami artists Aida Tejada and Gerardo Gonzalez-Quevedo (who also owns and operates Prints Giclee Shop). We specifically wanted to introduce sophisticated, professional fine art to young children, to expose them to a higher level of art. The only difference is, the art will literally be “lowered” to their level.
Q: Who is participating in “More than Meets the Eye?”
A: We have 14 South Florida artists participating in the show, with works ranging from traditional painting to digital painting and from photography to sculpture. We wanted a wide range of styles and media, so children can see the different ways that art can be created. The participating artists are:
- Aduni Abu Bakar—Sumi Ink Painting
- Leonel D’cröix—Digital Painting
- Jose Luis Dias Montero—Mixed Media
- Jaime Ferreyros—iPhonography
- Sandra Garcia-Pardo—Sculpture
- Raciel Gomez—Mixed Media
- Rigoberto Rosales Jalil—Colored Pencil
- Marilyn Lemay—Watercolor
- Adriano Nicot—Painting
- Jee Park—Mixed Media
- Edilberto Pelegrino—Painting
- Daniel Portnoy— Photography
- Clara Varas—Mixed Media
- Katarina Vicenova—Oil Painting
- Marivi von Feretova—Painting
Q: Are you worried about your young audience damaging the artwork?
A: Not at all. We want the children to get up close and really see the artwork. We want them to be able to see exactly what adults see, such as the brush strokes in a painting or the seams in a welded sculpture. Of course, we don’t want sticky fingers touching the artwork, but as long as there are adults present to supervise (and there will be), we aren’t worried about the artwork being harmed. Besides, most of the pieces will be framed, so there will be glass protecting them.
Q: Do you think children will respond to this show?
A: I do. I hope so! I think the conventional thinking is that children don’t really like or care about art unless it’s “childish” in nature. But I disagree. I remember when I was quite young, I used to spend hours looking through the art books that my parents had. I couldn’t get enough of them.
I think children have a natural appreciation for and curiosity about art. And they often “see” more in a piece than adults, since adults are often more critical and feel they must be “right” about a piece’s message. Young children don’t care about getting the message “right.” They just react from their gut, from a visceral level, and that’s often what many artists are going for, anyway.
Q: You chose to open this art show on a Friday night. Why? The more typical time to do activities like this with children is during the day on a Saturday.
A: My co-curators and I considered opening the show on a Saturday, but we finally decided on a Friday night because we wanted the show to be as much like a regular art show as possible. And in Miami, many art shows and art gallery walks take place on Friday nights. In fact, on April 19, several galleries in the Falls Arts District will be open in the evening for people to explore, so we won’t be “the only show in town,” so to speak.
Denise Taylor-Dennis says
If I was in the area I would certainly check this out.
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
i love the idea of art for children too, children really respond to art and are so smart. I love these pieces!
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
I love this! I wish there was something like this going on in my town so I could take my son.
Tammy S says
This is such a great idea. Kids can be amazing artist if they receive a lot of encouragement.
April Golightly says
I am going to try to make time to go to this.
Jennifer @TheRebelChick says
I don’t know how I didn’t know about this before, thanks for sharing!
Hanadia Roby says
Interesting
HilLesha @To the Motherhood says
I love art. 🙂
Kathleen says
Sounds like a great even and I love that it is catered to children.
Sheri says
What a great way to engage kids in art!
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
That is a BRILLIANT idea for getting kids appreciating art.
Heather says
This sounds like such a great family event. I would definitely go if I were in the area!
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie} says
Cool that the artists are kids.
Lisa says
So cool!
Stefani says
Sounds neat.
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
How cool!
Theresa says
This is so cool!
Janet W. says
Beautiful pieces of art! I would have loved to attend!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
That would be great to see!
Jenn says
Good for short people like me too! 😉 I always feel like the world was designed for people at least 5’8″ haha.
Jo-Ann Brightman says
What a great idea. I know that when I ws young and when to museums I had to strain to see a lot of the artwork. It is also good for any short people.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I absolutely love the idea for kids AND adults. I suspect I’d enjoy it just as much!
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
That’s a fantastic idea! This is a great way for children to gain appreciation for the arts since the gallery shows that they appreciate the children 🙂
LyndaS says
How awesome!
Jennifer says
What a great idea! I’m short and would appreciate that myself!
Shell Feis says
What a great idea! My Mom used to take me to art museums all the time {she’s a painter} and I could never see anything so that’s completely brilliant.
Elaina- A Time Out for Mommy says
Awesome artwork!
Tammy says
I love this idea – kids appreciate art sometimes more than adults ever could. I love displays and galleries that are geared toward kid, when you look at it through their eyes you see so much more.
md kennedy says
This sounds so interesting – I wonder if the exhibit will travel to other cities?
Nancy Bowers says
Kudos to Christine Lyall! Excellent concept to allow children to really engage.
Maryann says
I love art – what talent!
Christine Lyall says
Hello! Christine Lyall here, creator and co-curator of “More than Meets the Eye.” I wanted to thank you for all of your great comments. They are very encouraging. We are hanging the show today, then opening tomorrow night. I am getting more and more excited by the minute. I hope those of you who live in Miami can attend.
I wanted to address md kennedy’s question as to whether the show will travel to other cities … That is actually one of my goals for the future, so we will see. I first need to “survive” this first show. LOL!
Thank you, again, for your kind remarks!
Lolo says
I believe strongly in the power of art education. Love this!
Alicia K says
this is VERY cool!