Our Crew!

Jim and Cyrus had their own time investigating the studio and were nice enough to take a break for the camera.



From Left: Elizabeth, Hsuan-Hsiu, Christina and Lauren (not shown)

To start off right Tom, Jim and myself thought it would be nice to have our employee's over for dinner to get to know one another. We then walked them over to the studio so they could see the progress. They are a creative bunch and we are sure your children will benefit from being guided by them. One of our employee's was out of town and couldn't make it. As soon as I see her next I'll update the photo with her in it.

Come Together...

Things are moving pretty fast now, the floor has been sanded and painted (what a huge job that was!). The lights are in and today the parents lounge area will be painted. In the next few days Tom and I will order the cabinets for the wet area and the parents lounge along with the bathroom fixtures.

Here's a picture of Cyrus running around the studio after the floor was painted.

THE SIGN!

Well the sign was put up today outside and on the window. I'm pleased with the work from It's A Sign

Thanks to Bryan Knox for making the logo look so professional!

Although the Oak Park Development Corporation decided not to issue us a loan for the business, we were able to get a grant for our sign. So we'd like to thank the OPDC for allowing us the opportunity to apply and obtain the grant for our sign.

The Magical Minds!

Before we decided to open the studio I did some trial classes at home. These images are a few of many wonderful mornings I spent observing the children explore the different materials. I learned so much about them those mornings and I will cherish them always.

A long time coming!

Seems like ages since I've written here. I promise I'll be better now that things are moving right along.

The electrical and plumbing permits along with our sign permit have been received and we are relieved. Our sign goes up tomorrow, I'll post a picture once I take one. Our furniture has arrived and I am so pleased with the quality. If anyone is ever in the market for durable furniture for children check out Community Playthings. It was recommended to me by a woman at Brookfield Zoo. I hope the parents and children enjoy the quality of the furniture.

Art supplies!!! I've also placed a mega order for art supplies, a light table, exploration station and more to come. Deliveries are arriving and once again I find myself like a child in a candy store. I think I'm addicted to art supplies.

Classes are filling up for the Magical Beginnings and the Magical Explorations classes. I'm happy to see parents take advantage of the weekend schedule so they can also partake in the fun with their children. We are happy to offer these weekend classes and hope we have enough enrollment to keep the sessions going.

October 22nd is still set for the first day of classes. We can't wait to meet all the wonderful children coming our way. The facilitators are excited to be working in an environment with little ones and tons of creative things to do! I'll post more about each employee in a week or so.

See you soon!

Tom Primes!

The dreaded priming time had arrived and Tom knew it was going to be tough. What he didn't know was that the tin ceiling had been painted with oil based paint. What that meant was he couldn't prime it with latex paint, it would just fall right off. He had to prime it with oil based primer...what a mess. He spent the entire day spraying the ceiling and then finished off the walls. Poor Tom, he looks like he applied white eyeliner to his lower eyelids. But as you can see the results are well worth the work! Now wait until you see the colors.

The Importance Of Art To Education

One of the most important aspects of art shows in the results of extensive studies that have proven that students who participate in the arts score higher on SAT tests regardless of socio-economic status. (1)


The arts instill foundation skills needed for employment, but also for life, skills like reasoning, making decisions, thinking creatively, solving problems and visualizing. (2)


An 11-year study examined youth in low-income neighborhoods and found that those who participated in arts programs were much more likely to be high academic achievers, elected to class office, participate in math and science fairs and win academic awards. (3)


Art programs targeted toward very young children help prevent negative choices later on. Young children who participate in after-school arts programs have shown a decrease in negative behaviors and increases in attention span, commitment and tolerance. (4)


For young people at risk of delinquency, school failure, substance abuse, teen pregnancy and other problems, involvement in the arts can improve academic performance, reduce school truancy, provide positive outlets and build new skills that give kids a chance at a better life. Arts programs are an effective intervention strategy for troubled youth who have failed to respond to more traditional educational and social service programs. Arts learning experiences can alter the attitudes young people have about themselves and toward learning, even among those who have had serious brushes with the law.


A three-year study of arts-based delinquency programs in three different cities showed that at-risk youths participating in the arts programs improved their attitudes, behavior and academic performance, decreased delinquent behavior, and increased communication skills. (5)


Former U.S. attorney general Janet Reno said much the same thing, "Young people who are involved in making something beautiful today are less likely to turn to acts of violence and destruction tomorrow." We all need to support the arts. In doing so, we are telling America's youth that we believe in them and value what they can be."


Terry Semel, past chairman of Warner Bros., said, "Art is central to a civilized society. Kids who create don't destroy."


Footnotes
(1) Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning, Arts Education Partnership, President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, 1999.(2) Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, U.S. Dept. of Labor, 1991(3) Community Counts: How Youth Organizations Matter for Youth Development, Shirley Brice Heath, Milbrey W. McLaughlin, 2000(4) Youth ARTS Development Project, U.S. Dept. of Justice, National Endowment for the Arts, Americans for the Arts, 1996-199(5) The Arts and Prosocial Impact Study, RAND, 1999

*Article can be found at: http://www.arvartscenter.org/education.htm