I am endorsing Sue DiCicco’s concept of artist's mentoring. It
is a process that encourages young students to step outside the box of violence
through empirical creative experience.
Her concept needs refining and discussion to fit within the
practicality of life and education, but the idea is a start to the amelioration
of our culture of violence.
Here is Sue’s proposal.
"Hello friends,
Like many of you,
I've been giving a lot of thought to the level of violence in this country. As
the gun debate rages on, I've begun to look in other directions.
What if we provide
every 4th grader in the United States with a creative mentor for one year? What
if we instilled in them a lifelong passion, and a way to express themselves
through the arts? Can we turn the tide on our violent culture?
As a lifelong
professional creative I know the power of the arts to connect us, provide a
peaceful avenue of self expression, and bring lifelong joy to those that
participate.
What if every child
in this country was exposed to the arts in a serious way? What if they
each had their own private mentor for a year, teaching them to play a musical
instrument, make an animated short, write a poem, or paint a picture?
If our kids had a
passion and a way to express themselves other than thru violence, would we live
in a saner world?
I propose we begin
by connecting every 4th grader in the U.S. with a creative mentor, guiding them
in the pursuit of their choice for one year.
If you are a
creative, either by profession or passion, would you be willing to donate an
hour or two of your time each week to mentoring a young person?
If you are not
involved in the arts, would you be willing to donate an instrument, pay for art
supplies, attend a play? Can we come together to create a nationwide creative
resource and begin to implement it in our communities?
Do you have skills
involved in building a non-profit? How can you lend a hand and move us forward?
If you're willing to
be counted, please join us on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/ArmedWithTheArts."
Perhaps Sue’s concept will make some
positive changes in our passion for
violence subculture and uncover some great artists, musicians, writers,
geniuses and poets.
Somehow, in our society, we need to find a
way to encourage our chidren to use their latent creative talents and
apprciation of grace as the new challenges of skill. Hopefully it would replace
the gun violent games that now permiate our children’s imagination and play action.
Not valuing imagination as a conduit to the arts is one of
the innate flaws in our social structure. Knowledge and the ability to create something
beautiful is a weapon more deadly that any gun game for it slays the ignorance
of seeing violence as a solution to pain or a path to pleasure.
We need to teach our children that there
is power in the arts and that appreciation, beauty, and grace are powerful
strengths and attractive pasttimes.
