Little Kids Exploring Big Ideas Through Art
The Picture Project is a non-profit, 501(c)3 arts organization whose mission is to encourage multi-generational dialog about big ideas, as well as to inspire children to use artistic expression to develop creative thinking and problem solving skills.
Working with teachers and students in elementary and middle schools, The Picture Project initiates art programs in three stages:
- Exploring an important concept through art
The children are encouraged to create a work of art based on a significant cultural theme (such as Peace, Family, or Color) - Public exhibition of the art
Their artwork is then featured in a public exhibition. - Creating a film document of the event
Experienced filmmakers develop a documentary film in which the children discuss their ideas and artwork, and their teachers share observations about the program and its impact.
History
In 2001 Visual Artist Fred Nicholson had the idea to show kid’s art at the Jewel Box Theater in Poulsbo, WA. Over 200 children’s works were included and their teachers’ response was very enthusiastic.
Encouraged, Nicholson in 2002, collected a show of kid’s art under the title "Peace Looks Like This," with double the number of participants. Impressed, photographer/filmmaker Steve Stolee collaborated with Fred to create a film that would bring the work to a wider audience. The film, completed in 2004, was distributed to participating teachers and screened at the 2005 Celluloid Bainbridge Film Festival, Bainbridge Island, Washington.
In 2006, Stolee and Nicholson began preparation of a new project, "My World of White, Black and Color," and added to the partnership [director and fund-raiser] Mary Granfors. The trio then established a non-profit corporation and formed a board of directors. Nearly 900 children participated in this project, from which a new film was published in the spring of 2007.
2007 saw The Picture Project mounting a third program entitled "This Is My Family," partnering with Kitsap Regional Libraries to install the kids’ art exhibit throughout the county’s library branches. The exhibition also expanded to include 90 feet of vacant storefront display windows in downtown Bremerton. A film including interviews with the participating kids will debut in March at the company’s fund raiser and has been submitted for inclusion in Celluloid Bainbridge Film Festival, 2008. This program will feature several Saturday interactive sessions at three of the KRL library branches.Making a Difference
Children who have participated in The Picture Project get an unprecedented opportunity to discuss cultural norms and values while at the same time finding an opportunity to express themselves, to promote harmony and understanding, to build confidence, and to receive public affirmation for their efforts.
Participating Schools
To date, over 1300 Kitsap County children have participated in The Picture Project, from schools in Poulsbo, Suquamish, Port Orchard, and Bainbridge Island. For teachers, The Picture Project provides a ready-made curriculum with an opportunity to discuss cultural norms and values in an artistic context. In addition, the creative outlet provides for more open interactions with students: one teacher remarked that she learned more about some of her students from this project than she had from a year of classroom contact.
In the Community
Parents and other adults who have the opportunity to experience the delightful art and films can discover anew the innocence of childhood, see their own values reflected back at them, and use The Picture Project as a jumping off point for discussing themes of universal significance.
You can help!
We are looking for the following:
- Volunteers to help with fundraising, mailings and other contacts, and new ideas for programs
- Sponsors to help connect us to a wider audience and provide broad-base funding
- In-kind materials and services (printing, art supplies, postage, etc.), and
- Contributions to help pay for art materials and exhibit displays, program and administration expenses; film equipment rental and crew, music licensing, DVD production and packaging, promotion, mailing, and insurance.
If any of these interest you, or you want to know more, please contact us.