Art for 25 cents

Guest blogger Ann DuCharme, Arts Education Manager, shares her experience of stumbling upon an art stand.

Sunday I saw the most amazing thing – a lemonade stand, operated by three kids ages 3-8. When I pulled my car over to ask how much a cup cost, the biggest said, “25 cents for lemonade and 25 cents for Art.” Excuse me? I peeked beyond the gallon pitcher of sugary pink stuff and saw two more kids crouched on the sidewalk with a large art kit using all kinds of crayons, pencils, and paint.

“We’re making Art. It’s 25 cents. You can pick from these.” Gesturing to a pile of colored sheets, every inch of which was covered in heavy oil crayon and/or paint. With my lemonade, I also made three selections from the art gallery (which I fancy are reminiscent of Pollock, Klimt, and Rothko) and paid my dollar. As I was leaving, I told them they were geniuses.

All week I have been wondering…. where does that impulse come from? Did they do something similar in school or a community art center? Did they see something similar at a museum? On TV? Did their parents suggest it or was it their own idea? Does it matter? Not really. All that matters is that we shared a joyful act of creativity on my street, in my neighborhood, and in my town. And I have been thinking about it all week. I hope to see more.